2022 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT trim did not impress with its new treatment. A suspension lift and more aggressive tires would have been more convincing. The side steps, while useful for roof rack access, impeded entry and exit and reduced the breakover angle for off-roading. Unless the roof rack was used regularly, the XRT's visual enhancements were not recommended. The XRT trim was priced higher than the SE and SEL trims but lower than the turbocharged Limited and Calligraphy trims, starting at $34,095. The test vehicle, in Portofino Gray with a black cloth interior, lacked visual contrast, resembling an old black-and-white image. However, the interior's thoughtful design and high quality made it a pleasant place to spend time.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, available in Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle trims, featured the mid-trim Limited with the S Appearance Package. This package added body-colored door handles and exterior mirrors, a gloss black grille surround, and black accents, topped off with 18-inch wheels. The split grille was surrounded by standard LED headlamps, and the LED tail lamps spanned the rear width. While minivans lacked the cool factor of SUVs, they were more practical. The Limited's interior, though dark, featured handsome Nappa leather seats and a sophisticated dash design. However, the proximity of the HVAC and audio knobs to the transmission selector dial could cause confusion.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. With nearly two tons of curb weight, the engine was adequate for reaching freeway speeds and cruising comfortably. For more power, the Limited and Calligraphy trims offered a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. The eight-speed automatic transmission performed smoothly, with pushbutton controls for gear selection. Driving modes included Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow, with an AWD system lock for maximum traction. The XRT averaged 22.3 mpg, with an EPA rating of 24 mpg. The ride quality was good, with excellent suspension isolation and quiet highway performance. However, the engine struggled on hills and curves, and the XRT's cosmetic enhancements did not improve off-road capability.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid combined a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a 16-kWh battery and two electric motors, offering 32 miles of all-electric range, 520 miles of total range, 82 MPGe, and 30 mpg combined. In testing, it achieved 33 miles of electric range and over 550 miles of total range, exceeding EPA estimates. Charging the battery took two hours on a Level 2 charger, with a predicted 14-hour charge time on a standard outlet. The Pacifica defaulted to all-electric mode before switching to hybrid, which was less efficient on highways. The hybrid model was FWD only, lacked a spare tire, and could not be equipped with a towing package. The Pacifica Hybrid offered 260 hp and 230 lb-ft of torque, with smooth transmission performance and better-than-expected handling due to the battery's low center of gravity.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT featured dual-zone automatic climate control with a Clean Air ionizer and rear air conditioning vents. The eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, dressed in stain-resistant fabric, provided good comfort, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The rear seats offered ample space for a family of four, with generous legroom and foot room, rear side-window shades, and USB charging ports. Storage space included a hard-to-access tray under the control bridge, a dashboard shelf, and a wireless charging slot. The Smart Tailgate opened automatically when sensing the key fob, though it could be inconvenient on uneven ground. The Santa Fe offered 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 72.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the FamCam interior camera, allowing parents to monitor children in the second and third rows. The test vehicle had heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a comfortable driver’s seat. The second-row seats were comfortable but low, and the center pathway allowed easy access to the spacious third row. The Pacifica Hybrid lacked the Stow ‘n Go seats due to the battery placement but offered 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 87.5 cubic feet with the seats folded, and 140.5 cubic feet with all seats down. However, it lacked the built-in vacuum cleaner and heated second-row seats available in the standard Pacifica.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and Bluelink connected services. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large knobs, clean graphics, and logical menus. The XRT did not have the upgraded infotainment system available in higher trims, but it included digital key technology for Android smartphones and Leading Vehicle Departure Alert. The Bluelink system offered remote engine starting, car finding, and safety features like automatic emergency assistance and vehicle alerts.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running Uconnect 5, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and dual Bluetooth connectivity. The optional rear seat entertainment system added two 10-inch screens with games and streaming capabilities, though it was expensive. The Pacifica Hybrid had numerous USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, a 115-volt outlet, auxiliary ports, and wireless charging, ensuring devices remained charged throughout the cabin.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT included numerous standard safety features in the Hyundai SmartSense collection, such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control. The XRT also had Junction Turning Detection, Safe Exit Assist, and an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system. Bluelink provided additional safety features like automatic emergency assistance and vehicle alerts. The Santa Fe earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover resistance score.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid had standard safety features like blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, pedestrian automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking assist, and adaptive cruise control. The forward collision warning system provided visual and audible alerts, and the adaptive cruise control system performed smoothly. Optional features included parallel parking assist and front and rear parking assist. The 2022 Pacifica Hybrid received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and Good marks from the IIHS, except for Marginal grades for seat belt reminders and Average grades for headlights and LATCH ease of use.