2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander presented a bold and distinctive design, characterized by its "Dynamic Shield" grille and lighting concept. Despite its striking front styling, the Outlander maintained a balanced and appealing design from the front wheels to the rear bumper. Available in various trims, including ES, SE, and SEL, the Outlander offered standard or optional 20-inch wheels, with prices ranging from $25,795 to $35,345. The test vehicle, an SEL trim with AWD, featured luxurious interior elements such as premium semi-aniline leather, a heated steering wheel, and a panoramic sunroof, enhancing its upscale ambiance. The interior design adhered to minimalism, with black and aluminum accents, though some plastics reminded occupants of its compact crossover status.

In contrast, the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, available in Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle trims, showcased a practical yet stylish design. The Limited trim with the S Appearance Package added body-colored door handles, gloss black accents, and 18-inch wheels. The Pacifica Hybrid's split grille and LED headlamps contributed to its modern look, while the LED tail lamps spanned the rear width. Although minivans lacked the SUV's cool factor, the Pacifica Hybrid offered practicality with sliding doors and ample cargo space. The interior, though predominantly black, featured Nappa leather seats and a sophisticated dash design. However, the proximity of HVAC and audio knobs to the transmission selector dial could cause confusion.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. Its continuously variable transmission (CVT) powered the front wheels, with an optional Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) AWD system. Despite offering paddle shifters for manual control, the Outlander's performance was underwhelming, especially in Eco mode, which made it feel sluggish. The SUV felt most responsive in urban settings, but its power deficit was evident during highway acceleration and passing maneuvers. The steering was vague and disconnected, and the suspension was firm, leading to a brittle ride on imperfect roads. The Outlander returned 24.9 mpg, slightly below the EPA's 26 mpg rating for AWD models.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid combined a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a 16-kWh battery and two electric motors, offering 260 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque. 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, the Pacifica exceeded these numbers, achieving 33 miles of electric range and over 550 miles of total range. However, the Pacifica defaulted to all-electric mode first, which was less efficient on highways. The hybrid model was FWD only and lacked a spare tire and towing package. Despite these limitations, the Pacifica Hybrid offered a smooth driving experience with a CVT and a lower center of gravity for better handling.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander excelled in form and function, with roomy and comfortable front seats, deeply padded armrests, and an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. The interior design was clean and uncluttered, with intuitive controls and impressive displays, including a digital instrumentation panel and a HUD. However, the center console had wasted space, limiting storage options. The rear seat offered generous room and comfort, with a sliding mechanism for adjustable space. The third-row seat was cramped, suitable only for children, and reduced cargo capacity to 11.7 cubic feet. Folding it down increased capacity to 33.5 cubic feet, with a maximum of 78.3 cubic feet with the panoramic sunroof.

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, while the third row offered enough space for adults on extended trips. The Pacifica Hybrid lacked the Stow 'n Go seats due to the battery placement, but cargo space remained at 32.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 87.5 cubes with seats folded. The total cargo capacity was 140.5 cubic feet, though competitors offered more space. The plug-in hybrid model also missed out on features like a built-in vacuum cleaner and heated second-row seats.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL with the Touring Package featured standout technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display, a large and detailed HUD, and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The infotainment system supported wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and included a two-year subscription to Mitsubishi Connect services. Wireless smartphone charging and a 10-speaker Bose audio system were also standard. However, the voice-recognition technology struggled with road noise, affecting its performance while driving.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running Uconnect 5, known for its ease of use and crisp graphics. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and dual-phone Bluetooth connectivity. The optional rear seat entertainment system added two 10-inch screens for second-row passengers, with streaming capabilities and games. The Pacifica Hybrid offered numerous charging options, including USB-A, USB-C, 12-volt outlets, a 115-volt outlet, auxiliary ports, and wireless charging, ensuring devices remained powered throughout the journey.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander featured the Mi-Pilot Assist driver-assist system, similar to Nissan's ProPilot Assist, offering Level 2 hands-on assistance. It included forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, and more. However, the steering assistance and lane-departure prevention systems could be intrusive. Crash-test results were unavailable at the time of review.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The forward collision warning system provided both visual and audible alerts. The adaptive cruise control system was praised for its smooth operation. Additional features like parallel parking assistance required a package or the top Pinnacle trim. The 2022 Pacifica received a five-star safety rating from NHTSA, and the IIHS gave it Good marks, with some areas needing improvement.