2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade emerged as Hyundai's new flagship SUV after its debut in 2020, taking the reins from the Santa Fe XL. It sat proudly atop a diverse lineup of Hyundai crossovers and SUVs, which included models like the Venue, Kona, Tucson, and (non-XL) Santa Fe. From an aesthetic perspective, the Palisade distinguished itself with an elegant and striking exterior. It departed from the derivative designs of earlier Hyundai models, showcasing distinctive lines and shapes from a prominent grille to crisp shoulder lines and a tastefully designed tailgate. The blending of sculpted wheel arches and a unique floating rear roof created a sophisticated profile for the Palisade. The LED headlights, taillights, and running lights added to its appeal, providing a signature look. With 18-inch alloy wheels standard on the SE and SEL models, and a design that could easily slip into the premium Infiniti lineup, the Palisade exuded a sense of luxury.

Inside, the Palisade continued its upscale theme with high-quality materials and finishes adorning every surface. It featured a horizontally arrayed touchscreen, available in either 8 inches (SE and SEL) or 10.25 inches (Limited and Calligraphy). The spaciousness in the cabin was impressive, with the third row comfortably accommodating two adults or three children. The second-row options included a bench seat or captain's chairs, adding flexibility and luxury. The fit and finish were at near-luxury levels, making the Palisade a true flagship with a commanding presence.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, on the other hand, aimed to blend practicality with a touch of style. Available in Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle trims, the Pacifica Hybrid did not boast the same upscale luxury as the Palisade but offered unique touches like the S Appearance Package. This package added body-colored door handles, gloss black grille surround, and black accents, achieving a sleek look. The split grille with LED headlamps and wide-spanning LED tail lamps contributed to its modern aesthetics. While minivans may not possess the same allure as SUVs, the Pacifia Hybrid was designed for practicality, with a slightly less ostentatious approach compared to the Palisade.

Inside the Pacifica Hybrid, a driver-centric and family-friendly design took precedence. The interior featured available Nappa leather seats and a variety of sophisticated elements such as chunky HVAC and audio knobs. However, the black interior of the Limited trim may have felt a bit dark to some buyers. The controls were intuitive but occasionally confusing due to the proximity of the HVAC and audio knobs to the transmission selector dial. Heating and cooling functionalities in the seats, as well as an adjustable and comfortable driver's seat, added to the functional yet elegant ambiance of the cabin.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 gasoline engine, noteworthy in an era leaning towards turbocharging and electrification. Equipped with gasoline direct injection, dual variable valve timing, and Atkinson-cycle capability, this engine emphasized power and efficiency. The Palisade delivered 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, offering a rich baritone engine note without any lag due to the absence of turbos or superchargers. Despite these power figures, the Palisade's EPA estimates stood at only 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, which were not among the frontrunners in terms of efficiency. The Palisade, with its four-wheel independent suspension and stabilizer bars, handled well, weighing between 4,127 and 4,387 pounds. Additionally, it had a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds with trailer brakes or 1,650 pounds without.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid offered a different approach with its combination of a 3.6-liter V6 engine, a 16-kWh battery, and two electric motors, making it the only plug-in hybrid minivan available. It boasted an EPA-rated 32 miles of all-electric range, 520 miles of total range, 82 MPGe, and 30 mpg combined fuel economy. Real-world testing showed even better results, with up to 33 miles of electric range and over 550 miles of total range. While the hybrid configuration meant the Pacifica could not be equipped with all-wheel drive or a towing package, it offered a unique blend of efficiency and practicality.

The drive experience of the Pacifica Hybrid was slightly different from its gasoline-only counterpart. Delivering 260 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque, it provided an acceptable highway performance but did not match the brisk acceleration of the gasoline-only model, which offered 287 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. The continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) worked smoothly, with light steering suitable for a minivan. The battery's placement in the floor improved the vehicle's center of gravity, enhancing its handling capabilities.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade made an impactful statement with its interior space and functionality, particularly as a minivan replacement. It provided comfortable seating in the third row, with ample legroom and headroom throughout the cabin. Storage and convenience were paramount, with various compartments, cupholders, and door panel bottle holders. The rear cargo space was generous, offering 18 cubic feet behind the third row, 45.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and an expansive 86.4 cubic feet with both the second and third rows down. An added benefit was the underfloor storage compartment, which provided more space, and roof rails capable of holding up to 220 pounds.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid catered to the family-oriented buyer with features such as the FamCam interior camera, heated and cooled front seats, and a comfortable center armrest. Although the second-row seats were comfortable, they sat a bit low, potentially causing discomfort for taller passengers. The Pacifica’s pathway to the third row was spacious, accommodating adult passengers for longer trips, albeit with less legroom compared to competitors such as the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. An important note was the absence of the Chrysler flat-fold Stow 'n Go seats in the hybrid due to the battery placement. Cargo capacity remained impressive with 32.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 87.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 140.5 cubic feet with everything folded flat. Despite these figures, both the Kia Carnival and Honda Odyssey offered more overall cargo space.

Hyundai's prowess in automotive technology was evident in the 2022 Palisade, which offered advanced infotainment and connectivity features. The base models came with an 800 x 480 resolution screen, while the upgraded trims boasted a 1920 x 720 color touchscreen paired with a 630-watt Harman Kardon premium audio system. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard, accompanied by HD Radio, satellite radio, and multiple USB ports distributed throughout the cabin. A Qi wireless charging pad, four 12-volt power outlets, and a 115-volt power outlet enhanced the vehicle's convenience. Hyundai's Blue Link connected car system, a digital instrument cluster, and surround-view functionality further cemented the Palisade’s status as a technological leader.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid also impressed with its tech offerings, starting with the robust Uconnect 5 system and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and dual phone connectivity via Bluetooth. The optional rear seat entertainment system featured two 10-inch screens and Amazon Fire TV capabilities, though some buyers might find this redundant given the prevalence of tablets and smartphones among children. A plethora of USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, auxiliary ports, and wireless charging ensured no device went uncharged.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade took safety seriously, with an extensive list of passive and active safety features. It included seven airbags, three-point seat belts, LATCH anchors, active head restraints, a front crumple zone, and a variety of electronic systems such as stability control and brake assist. Advanced safety features included blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA for both its FWD and AWD models.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid also emphasized safety with standard features like blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, pedestrian automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Experiences during testing confirmed the effectiveness of the forward collision warning system and adaptive cruise control. However, features such as front and rear parking assist and parallel parking assistance were only available as add-ons or in the top Pinnacle trim. The virtually identical 2022 Pacifica Hybrid received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and good ratings from the IIHS, except for a few marginal areas such as headlight performance and LATCH ease of use.