2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson rode on a new platform and was offered in the U.S. as a long-wheelbase model with two rows of seating and an expanded cargo area. Up front, it featured Hyundai's new vehicle face, with a parametric grille hiding LED daytime running lights, Bi-LED headlights, and LED front turn signals. The headlights and daytime running lights formed a unique shape resembling the wings of the Aztec Spirit Bird. The side profile mirrored the Hyundai Elantra's design, with a silver D-pillar creating a floating roof effect. The rear had toothy taillights illuminated by LEDs in all but the base model, making the Tucson stand out among compact SUVs. Depending on the trim level, the Tucson rode on either 17- or 19-inch wheels, with high-end trims featuring premium fascias, skid plates, gloss black pillars, and a panoramic sunroof. The cabin was well-appointed, with standard stain- and odor-resistant cloth seats, and available sport combination and leather-trimmed seats on higher trims. Horizontal lines across the dashboard and an uncluttered aesthetic gave the interior a sense of spaciousness.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, despite its minivan image, was a practical and efficient vehicle for transporting up to seven people. It featured a plug-in hybrid drivetrain based on a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a dual-motor electric drive system, providing 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 interior was comfortable, with black Nappa premium leather, triple-zone automatic climate control, and a clean air filtration system. Storage was impressive, with various bins and shelves, and the second-row seats were more comfortable than the standard Pacifica's Stow n' Go seats. The third-row seat was reasonably comfortable, and the cargo space was substantial, with 32.3 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 140.5 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed. The Pacifica Hybrid also featured a 10.1-inch Uconnect 5 infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an available rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came in two powertrain variants: a 2.5-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine. The ICE engine delivered 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid powertrain offered 226 total system horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid powertrain made the Tucson more powerful and fun to drive, especially in off-road conditions. The ICE engine had an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 26 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway, and 29 mpg combined for front-wheel drive models. The hybrid models were more fuel-efficient, with 37 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highway, and 37 mpg combined. The forthcoming plug-in hybrid version was expected to deliver 261 horsepower and 224 pound-feet of torque, with an estimated 25 miles of all-electric range.

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, providing 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 captured energy and fed it back to the battery, enhancing efficiency. During testing, the Pacifica Hybrid achieved an average fuel economy of 37.1 mpg. The powertrain operated smoothly, with a nearly imperceptible transition between electric and gasoline power. However, the driving experience was unremarkable, with light and uncommunicative steering, grabby regenerative brakes, and a dull overall driving feel. Despite this, the Pacifica Hybrid's powertrain was praised for its brilliance and efficiency.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered a spacious and well-appointed interior, comparable to its competitors like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Nissan Rogue. It featured a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat as standard, with an eight-way version available on higher trims. The cabin had plenty of space for a family of four, with more passenger volume than the CR-V, RAV4, and Escape. The cargo area offered 74.8 cubic feet of space, comparable to the Forester, RAV4, and CR-V. The rear seats were comfortable, with a 60-40 split-folding bench seat and a dual-level cargo floor on ICE models. A hands-free liftgate was available on mid-grade models and up.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in comfort and utility, offering three comfortable rows of seats and substantial cargo space. The interior featured triple-zone automatic climate control, quality leather upholstery, and heated and ventilated front seats. Storage was impressive, with various bins and shelves, and the second-row seats were more comfortable than the standard Pacifica's Stow n' Go seats. The third-row seat was reasonably comfortable, and the cargo space was substantial, with 32.3 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 140.5 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed. The Pacifica Hybrid also featured a 10.1-inch Uconnect 5 infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an available rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came with a strong set of standard tech features, including an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and two USB ports. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, satellite radio, Blue Link mobile app compatibility, and a fully digital instrument cluster. However, the larger screen required plugging in Apple and Android devices for CarPlay and Android Auto. The touchpoints on the center console were difficult to use while driving, and the narrow steering wheel controls were not as user-friendly as bulkier buttons.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display, appealing graphics, and a simple user interface. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and connected services with a Wi-Fi hotspot. The available FamCam overhead camera system allowed parents to check on rear-seat passengers. The voice recognition technology was hit-and-miss, and the 20-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system required adjustments for optimal sound quality. The rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV was available but not always necessary if passengers had their own devices. The Pacifica Hybrid also featured a surround-view camera system and a parking assist system.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson had not been tested by the IIHS or NHTSA. It featured the Hyundai SmartSense Safety Feature suite, including forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, driver attention monitor, rear occupant alert, speed limit assist, and leading vehicle departure alert. Additional safety features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, surround-view camera system, and remote parking assist. Hyundai offered a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty, and 3 years/36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid claimed to offer more standard safety and security features than any other vehicle in the industry. It included a rear-seat reminder system, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, and lane-keeping assist. However, the adaptive cruise control needed refinement, as it was slow to recognize lane departures and inept at moderating speed when other vehicles cut in. The Pacifica 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.