2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade had joined Hyundai's lineup as the flagship SUV, replacing the Santa Fe XL. It stood out with its elegant and striking exterior design, featuring distinctive lines, a prominent grille, and expressive LED headlights. The interior was equally polished, with high-quality materials and finishes. The horizontally arrayed screen and beefy center console added to the sophisticated look. The Palisade offered spacious seating in all three rows, with the second row available as either a bench or captain's chairs. The fit and finish were near-luxury levels, making it a worthy flagship for Hyundai.

In contrast, the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid was a minivan that didn't try to hide its identity. Despite its rounded, flowing exterior and interior styling, which some might find dated, it offered a practical and efficient package. The interior featured black Nappa premium leather and a range of comfort features, including heated and ventilated front seats. The Pacifica Hybrid's design focused on utility, with ample storage and comfortable seating for up to seven passengers. However, it lacked the stylish appeal of some competitors, like the Kia Carnival.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade came with a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine, combined with gasoline direct injection and dual variable valve timing, offered a balance of power and efficiency. The Palisade's fuel economy was estimated at 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway/22 mpg combined for FWD models and 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway/21 mpg combined for AWD models. The SUV handled well, thanks to its four-wheel independent suspension and stabilizer bars. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds with trailer brakes, making it a versatile choice for families.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured a plug-in hybrid drivetrain based on a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a dual-motor electric drive system. This setup produced a total system output of 260 horsepower. The Pacifica Hybrid could travel up to 32 miles on electric power alone, making it ideal for short commutes and errands. The regenerative braking system helped recharge the battery, contributing to an impressive average fuel economy of 37.1 mpg. However, the driving experience was somewhat dull, with light steering and unremarkable regenerative brakes. Despite this, the Pacifica Hybrid's powertrain was praised for its efficiency and smooth operation.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade offered a spacious and versatile interior. The third row provided comfortable seating and easy access, while the second-row captain's chairs were exceptionally comfortable. The front row featured ample storage, including two compartments in the center console and door panel bottle holders. Luggage space was generous, with 18.0 cubic feet behind the third row, 45.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 86.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. The Palisade also featured a compact shift-by-wire setup and an intuitive mode selector for the AWD system. High-end features like a dual-panel sunroof and premium Nappa leather upholstery were available on higher trims.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in comfort and utility. It offered three rows of comfortable seats and ample cargo space, with 32.3 cubic feet behind the third row and 87.5 cubic feet with the third row folded. Removing the second-row seats expanded the cargo area to 140.5 cubic feet. The interior featured triple-zone automatic climate control, quality leather upholstery, and heated and ventilated front seats. Storage options were plentiful, including extra shelves in the front door panels and a large floor tray under the center console. The second-row seats were more comfortable than the standard Stow n' Go chairs, but they did not collapse into the floor, requiring removal for maximum cargo space.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased Hyundai's technological prowess. The standard display audio system on SE and SEL models featured an 800 x 480 resolution screen, while the Limited and Calligraphy models had a 1920 x 720 color touchscreen with a 630-watt Harman Kardon premium audio system. The infotainment system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and satellite radio. Multiple USB ports, a Qi wireless charging pad, and a 115-volt power outlet were available. The Palisade also featured Hyundai's Blue Link connected car system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a head-up display on higher trims.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, featuring a 10.1-inch touchscreen display. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and connected services, including a Wi-Fi hotspot. The available FamCam overhead camera system allowed parents to monitor rear-seat passengers. The Pacifica Hybrid also had a 20-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, Amazon Fire TV for the rear-seat entertainment system, and a surround-view camera system. However, the voice recognition technology was hit-and-miss, and the sound quality of the audio system required adjustment for optimal performance.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade boasted a comprehensive list of standard and available safety features. Passive safety features included seven airbags, three-point seat belts for all seating positions, LATCH anchors, active head restraints, and more. Standard active safety features included anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, blind-spot collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid also offered a complete package of standard driver-assist and collision-avoidance features. However, it lacked adaptive cruise control paired with lane-centering assist. The Pacifica Hybrid's adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-keeping assist needed refinement, as it was slow to recognize lane departures and moderate speed when other vehicles cut in. Despite these issues, the Pacifica Hybrid earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rating for frontal-impact protection.