2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2022 Lexus RX was available in several trims, including the base 350, F Sport, and L for its gas powertrain, with a hybrid model known as the RX 450h. The RX 350 and F Sport offered seating for five, while the L trim signified a three-row, 7-passenger option. The 2022 model continued the modern and sporty design introduced in its 2020 facelift, featuring a revised grille and other exterior enhancements. Among its competitors in the midsize luxury crossover segment, the RX stood out with its aggressive styling, characterized by razor-sharp character lines and angular features that balanced eye-catching design with careful restraint.

The F Sport trim was the most performance-oriented and athletic in appearance, featuring 20-inch wheels, black-housing outside mirrors, dark window trimming, F Sport badging, and a unique front fascia with larger air intakes. The base and L trims came with 18-inch wheels, bi-LED headlights, integrated LED turn signals, a rear spoiler, and LED daytime running lights and brake lights. Inside, the RX offered a luxurious cabin with nearly a dozen color combinations, while the F Sport added sporty elements like model-specific badging and Scored Aluminum trim. However, the center stack felt a bit dated, and the NuLuxe seats in the F Sport trim were less comfortable than expected.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid was available in Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle trims, with our review focusing on 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, along with 18-inch wheels with a "Foreshadow" finish. The front featured a split grille surrounded by standard LED headlamps, while the rear boasted LED tail lamps spanning the entire width. Despite the minivan's practical advantages over SUVs, such as sliding doors and more cargo space, it lacked the cool cachet of an SUV.

The Limited trim's interior was dark but sophisticated, with Nappa leather seats and sweeping lines on the dash. The chunky HVAC and audio knobs were user-friendly, though they were situated close to the transmission selector dial, which could cause confusion. The Pacifica Hybrid's interior featured heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a comfortable driver's seat with an easily adjustable center armrest. The second-row seats were comfortable but low, and the third row offered enough space for adults, though taller passengers might prefer the extra legroom in competitors like the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, while the hybrid RX 450h combined the V6 with two high-torque electric motors for a total output of 308 hp. All RX models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard on the RX 350 and all-wheel drive available. The hybrid RX came exclusively with all-wheel drive. Despite its sporty appearance, the RX's real-world performance was underwhelming, with a lackluster engine note and unimpressive acceleration.

The F Sport trim included front and rear performance dampers, an adaptive variable suspension, sport steering, and a Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system. However, the differences between drive modes like Normal, Sport, and Sport+ were minimal, and the vehicle's handling remained uninspiring. The RX excelled in driving comfort and cabin quietness, absorbing rough patches and providing a serene ride. Fuel efficiency for the RX 350 was 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, while the RX 450h hybrid achieved 30 mpg combined, with 31 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid combined a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a 16-kWh battery and two small electric motors, offering 32 miles of all-electric range, 520 miles of total range, 82 MPGe, and 30 mpg combined fuel economy. In real-world testing, the Pacifica Hybrid exceeded these estimates, achieving 33 miles of electric range and over 550 miles of total range. Charging the battery on a Level 2 home charger took just two hours, while a standard outlet required 14 hours.

The Pacifica Hybrid defaulted to all-electric mode before switching to hybrid operation, which was efficient for city driving but less so on the highway. The vehicle's 260 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque provided sufficient power for highway passing, though acceleration was not blistering. The continuously variable automatic transmission operated smoothly, and the lower center of gravity improved handling. However, the Pacifica Hybrid was front-wheel drive only and lacked a spare tire and towing package, which were available on the non-hybrid model.

The standard two-row 2022 Lexus RX offered 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume, comfortably seating four adults, with a snug fit for five. Front headroom measured 39.4 inches, with 39.1 inches in the rear. Legroom was ample, with 44.1 inches up front and 38.0 inches in the back. The three-row L models shared the same wheelbase, resulting in limited space for the third row. Cargo space in the standard RX was 16.0 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 32.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The three-row models offered 7.45 cubic feet with all seats upright, 23.03 cubic feet with the third row down, and 58.48 cubic feet with both back rows folded.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the FamCam interior camera, allowing parents to monitor children in the second and third rows. The vehicle 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 provided enough space for adults, though taller passengers might prefer competitors' offerings. The Pacifica Hybrid lacked the Stow 'n Go seats due to the battery placement but still offered 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 87.5 cubic feet with the seats folded, and 140.5 cubic feet with all seats down.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with an 8-inch touchscreen display, with a 12.3-inch version available as an option. Despite being moved 5.5 inches closer to the driver, the touchscreens were still ergonomically unfriendly, with a lip in front of the screen creating access issues. The touchpad controller was hypersensitive and unintuitive, leading to frustration. However, the RX offered a range of quality tech features, including six USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, wireless charging, Amazon Alexa compatibility, a WiFi hotspot, and premium audio systems.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen running Uconnect 5, known for its ease of use and crisp graphics. The system included 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. The Pacifica Hybrid also had numerous USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, a 115-volt outlet, auxiliary ports, and wireless charging.

The 2022 Lexus RX came standard with the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, lane-keeping assist, a pre-collision system, and intelligent high beams. Additional standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a head-up display, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect. The RX was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS when equipped with optional triple-beam LED headlights and received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid included standard safety features such as 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 both visual and audible alerts, and the adaptive cruise control system operated smoothly. The 2023 Pacifica Hybrid had not yet been rated by the NHTSA, but the 2022 model received a five-star overall rating. The IIHS gave it Good marks in most categories, with Marginal grades for seat belt reminders and Average grades for headlights and LATCH ease of use.