2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2022 Land Rover Defender

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its distinctive exterior styling, with a boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare tire, and flat hood that visually tied it to the original version and classic Series Land Rovers. Despite these retro callbacks, the design was thoroughly modern, featuring rounded corners for better aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights that gave the Defender a unique personality. The modern Defender was also much larger than the original, offering improved interior space and ergonomics.

Inside, the Defender balanced rugged character with modern comfort. The upright driving position of the original was replaced with a more comfortable setup, providing generous headroom and legroom. The interior design included bare metal and exposed screws for a rugged look, complemented by leather and suede upholstery that seemed more practical for off-road adventures. Even high-end models like the Defender 90 V8 mixed luxury with functionality, making it a vehicle you wouldn't hesitate to take off-road.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, despite being a minivan, offered a compelling package for efficiently transporting up to seven people. Its plug-in hybrid drivetrain, based on a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a dual-motor electric drive system, provided a total system output of 260 horsepower. The 16-kWh battery pack allowed for up to 32 miles of electric-only driving, making it ideal for short commutes and errands. The Pacifica Hybrid never felt underpowered, even when fully loaded, and could be recharged overnight using a standard household outlet.

The Pacifica Hybrid's driving dynamics were less exciting, with light and uncommunicative steering and a somewhat unnatural ride quality due to the low-mounted battery. However, it excelled in efficiency, achieving an average fuel economy of 37.1 mpg on a mixed driving loop. The transition between electric and gasoline power was nearly imperceptible, and the regenerative braking system helped recharge the battery during coasting. While the driving experience was dull, the powertrain's brilliance and the vehicle's overall efficiency were impressive.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered three powertrain options. The base model featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The mid-level option was a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain rated at 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. The new-for-2022 V8 engine produced 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, propelling the Defender 90 from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and reaching a top speed of 149 mph. All models used a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case.

The V8 model also featured an electronic active rear differential, Dynamic drive mode, and unique transmission and suspension tuning for sportier handling. Despite its off-road capabilities, the Defender was comfortable on pavement, with a suspension that absorbed bumps well and minimized noise from the massive 22-inch tires. The Defender's 4WD system, good approach, departure, and breakover angles, and up to 11.5 inches of ground clearance made it a formidable off-roader. It also boasted an 8,201-pound maximum towing capacity.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid's plug-in hybrid drivetrain combined a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a dual-motor electric drive system, producing a total of 260 horsepower. The 16-kWh battery pack allowed for up to 32 miles of electric-only driving. The Pacifica Hybrid never felt underpowered, even when fully loaded, and could be recharged overnight using a standard household outlet. The regenerative braking system helped recharge the battery during coasting, contributing to an average fuel economy of 37.1 mpg on a mixed driving loop.

The Pacifica Hybrid's driving dynamics were less exciting, with light and uncommunicative steering and a somewhat unnatural ride quality due to the low-mounted battery. However, the transition between electric and gasoline power was nearly imperceptible, and the powertrain operated efficiently without requiring driver intervention. The Pacifica Hybrid's performance was impressive for its efficiency, but the driving experience was dull.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered versatile interior configurations. The two-door Defender 90 had 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, which were comfortable but challenging to access and limited in cargo space. The four-door Defender 110 came in two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations. Three-row models provided 11.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, 35.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 70.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. Two-row versions offered 18.1 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 51.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The Defender's interior emphasized functionality, with a large caged storage space below the dashboard shelf, a spacious center-console storage bin, and optional refrigeration. The shifter and climate-control knobs were conveniently placed for easy access. Optional exterior cargo solutions included a basket-style roof rack and side-mounted cargo boxes.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in comfort and utility. It offered three comfortable rows of seats and ample cargo space. The Pacifica Hybrid Limited featured triple-zone automatic climate control, quality leather upholstery, and heated and ventilated front seats. Storage options included extra shelves in the front door panels, a large floor tray under the center console, and a long storage bin behind the center console.

The second-row seats were more comfortable than the standard Pacifica's Stow n' Go chairs, with adjustable legroom and a more comfortable seat cushion angle. The third-row seat was reasonably comfortable, with cupholders, USB ports, and side window shades. The Pacifica Hybrid provided 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 87.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 140.5 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came with the standard Pivi Pro infotainment system, featuring a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on all trims except the base model. An 11.4-inch touchscreen was newly available for 2022. The system had appealing graphics and a user-friendly interface, though the screen required a firm touch to respond.

Optional features included a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, head-up display, and a surround-view camera system. The side camera views helped with obstacle navigation, and the front view was useful for spotting rocks or tree stumps during off-roading.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display. It offered appealing graphics, a simple user interface, and quick response to inputs. Uconnect 5 included simultaneous Bluetooth pairing for two devices, 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 monitor rear-seat passengers.

The Pacifica Hybrid also offered a 20-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, though the default sound settings required adjustment for optimal quality. The rear-seat entertainment system included Amazon Fire TV, allowing passengers to stream or download content. The surround-view camera system and parking assist were standard on higher trims, aiding in parking and maneuvering.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came with standard driver-assist features, including lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and traffic-sign recognition with speed-limit adapter. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The Defender had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, which was common for luxury vehicles.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid boasted a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including a rear-seat reminder system. It offered adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-keeping assist. However, the adaptive cruise control needed refinement, as it was slow to resume speed and braked too hard 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.