2023 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. Its front featured a parametric grille that hid standard LED daytime running lights, Bi-LED headlights, and LED front turn signals. When illuminated, these lights formed a unique shape resembling the wings of the Aztec Spirit Bird. The side profile borrowed design elements from the Hyundai Elantra, including a silver D-pillar that created a floating roof effect. The rear showcased toothy taillights illuminated by LEDs in all but the base model, helping the Tucson stand out among compact SUVs.

The Tucson rode on either 17- or 19-inch wheels, depending on the trim level. High-end trims featured premium fascias, front and rear skid plates, gloss black pillars, and a panoramic sunroof. Standard features included roof rails (except on the SE trim), body-color side-mirror housing, solar glass, and acoustic laminated glass. Upgrading beyond the base model added heated outside mirrors with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic avoidance assist indicators, turn signals, front aero wipers, and the option of a sunroof. The cabin was well-appointed with standard stain- and odor-resistant cloth seats, and higher trims offered sport combination and leather-trimmed seats.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid was available in Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle trims. The mid-trim Limited with the S Appearance Package added body-colored door handles and exterior mirrors, a gloss black grille surround, and black accents. It rode on 18-inch wheels with a "Foreshadow" finish. The front featured a split grille surrounded by standard LED headlamps, while the rear had LED tail lamps spanning the entire width. Despite minivans lacking the cool cachet of SUVs, the Pacifica Hybrid was a practical choice with sliding doors and ample cargo space.

The Limited’s interior was dark but featured handsome Nappa leather seats and a sophisticated dash with sweeping lines. The chunky HVAC and audio knobs were appreciated, though they were situated close to the transmission selector dial, which could cause confusion. The Pacifica Hybrid’s interior was comfortable, with heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a center armrest that could swivel up for more room. The second-row seats were comfortable but low, and the third row was spacious enough for adults, though taller passengers might prefer the Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna for more legroom.

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 combined horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid was more powerful and fun to drive, especially during testing on a 7,000-foot elevation change from Tucson to Mount Lemmon.

The Tucson Hybrid was more powerful than the Ford Escape Hybrid, Honda CR-V Hybrid, and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. All-wheel drive (AWD) was standard on the Tucson Hybrid and available on ICE models. Front-wheel drive Tucsons were the most fuel-efficient, with the ICE engine achieving an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway, and 29 mpg combined. The Tucson Hybrid achieved 37 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highway, and 37 mpg combined. The forthcoming Tucson PHEV was expected to deliver 261 horsepower and 224 pound-feet of torque, with an estimated 25 miles of all-electric range.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid combined a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a 16-kWh battery and two small electric motors. It was the only minivan available as a plug-in hybrid, with an EPA rating of 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 on a Level 2 home charger took two hours, while a standard outlet predicted a 14-hour charge time.

The Pacifica Hybrid defaulted to all-electric mode first before switching to hybrid mode, which was efficient in city driving but less so on the highway. The Pacifica Hybrid was front-wheel drive only and lacked a spare tire and towing package. It delivered 260 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque, with a smooth continuously variable automatic transmission. The non-hybrid Pacifica offered 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The Pacifica Hybrid handled well due to its lower center of gravity from the battery placement.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson was a budget-friendly compact SUV with a well-appointed interior. It featured a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, with an eight-way version available on all but the base model. Drivers also got lumbar support, three-stage heated front seats, ventilated front seats, memory for the driver’s seat, and an eight-way power-adjustable passenger seat. The tilt and telescoping steering wheel was standard, with higher trims offering a leather-wrapped and heated version.

The new Tucson platform made the SUV more spacious, with more room for passengers and cargo. The rear seats offered two inches more legroom than the RAV4, and the cabin had plenty of space for a family of four. The Tucson had 74.8 cubic feet of cargo space, comparable to the Forester, RAV4, and CR-V, and better than the Escape. The rear featured 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 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the FamCam interior camera, allowing parents to monitor the second-row captain’s chairs and third-row seats. The technology included a view of rear-facing child seats and a zoom function. The Pacifica Hybrid had heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a comfortable driver’s seat with an adjustable center armrest. The second-row seats were comfortable but low, and the third row was spacious enough for adults, though taller passengers might prefer the Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna for more legroom.

The Pacifica Hybrid did not have the flat-fold Stow ‘n Go seats due to the battery placement, but cargo space remained the same with 32.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 87.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 140.5 cubic feet with all seats folded. However, the Kia Carnival and Honda Odyssey offered more overall space. The plug-in hybrid also lacked the built-in vacuum cleaner and heated second-row seats available on the standard Pacifica.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and two USB ports. A 4.2-inch multi-information display was in front of the driver. Moving up to the SEL/Blue trim added satellite radio, Blue Link mobile app compatibility, two additional USB outlets, rear air conditioning vents, and dual-zone automatic climate control with ionizer functionality. Higher trims offered a fully digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen.

The larger screen required plugging in Apple and Android devices for CarPlay and Android Auto. The screen was embedded within a larger black plastic head unit that included climate control and radio/media functionality. The touchpoints were responsive, but the narrow steering wheel controls were less user-friendly than bulkier buttons.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen running Uconnect 5, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and the ability to connect two phones via Bluetooth. The optional rear seat entertainment system added two 10-inch screens for second-row passengers, with games and streaming content from Amazon Fire TV. Devices could be charged through USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, a 115-volt outlet, auxiliary ports, and wireless charging.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson had not been tested by the IIHS or NHTSA. The Hyundai SmartSense Safety Feature suite included forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, a driver attention monitor, rear occupant alert, speed limit assist, and leading vehicle departure alert. Additional features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit warning, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera system, forward and reverse park distance warning, parking collision avoidance assist, ultrasonic rear occupant alert, and remote parking assist. Hyundai offered a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty, a 7-year anti-perforation warranty, and 3 years/36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid had standard 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 offered smooth braking and quick acceleration. Optional features included parallel parking assist and front and rear parking assist. The 2023 Pacifica Hybrid had not been rated by the NHTSA, but the 2022 version received a five-star overall safety rating. The IIHS gave it Good marks except for Marginal grades for seat belt reminders and Average grades for headlights and LATCH ease of use.