2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2022 Nissan Pathfinder

The fifth-generation 2022 Nissan Pathfinder showcased a fresh approach to SUV design. Drawing inspiration from the new era of Japanese automaker aesthetics, it featured a revamped V-motion grille akin to its siblings Rogue and Armada. Emphasizing its heritage, Nissan embedded a new logo on the three-slot grille, paying tribute to the original Pathfinder. Flanked by LED headlights and sleek LED daytime running lights, the front design seamlessly transitioned to a robust C-pillar, reminiscent of the first-gen model. The Pathfinder was available in 14 paint jobs and color combinations, including an appealing black roof that extended to the C-pillar.

The SUV's side panels and hood offered a more muscular stance, aligning with competitors like Kia Telluride rather than Toyota Highlander. Slim taillights wrapped around the large liftgate, complemented by bold vehicle nameplate badging. The Pathfinder grew 0.6 inches wider and had a track expanding by 1.2 inches, making it appear more grounded on the road. It stood 0.2 inches higher and 0.8 inches shorter while providing increased legroom. Nissan’s intention was clear: the Pathfinder aimed to portray a more rugged and capable image, and indeed, it succeeded.

The Pathfinder came in four trims: S, SV, SL, and Platinum, all featuring body-color door handles, chrome badging, and a chrome grille. Privacy glass adorned the rear, rear-quarter, and liftgate windows. Although speed-sensitive wipers were standard across grades, the Platinum trim boasted intermittent wipers. Optional features across trims included a panoramic moonroof and roof rack.

The interior offered an eight-passenger seating configuration, except for the Platinum trim that provided standard second-row captain’s chairs. Interior material options ranged from cloth upholstery in S and SV trims to semi-aniline leather-appointed seats in SL and Platinum trims, with a quilted pattern on the latter. A potential stint with the Midnight Edition package was hinted at by Nissan, adding to the Pathfinder’s customizability.

Moreover, the Pathfinder's interior design was competitive, standing toe-to-toe with rivals like the Highlander, Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer, Hyundai Palisade, and Telluride, especially in higher trims.

In stark contrast, the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid wore a minivan disguise that might deter some buyers seeking a rugged image. Yet, its practical advantages were undeniable. Like many minivans, it lacked the dark allure of three-row SUVs but excelled in utility, notably with its sliding side doors.

Underneath its rounded styling, the Pacifica Hybrid housed a robust plug-in hybrid system with niche market appeal. With a base Touring L starting at $49,095 and Pinnacle trim peaking at $57,645, it was on the pricier side. A test vehicle with additional features like the S Appearance Package and Uconnect Theater rear-seat entertainment system brought the total MSRP to $57,680, excluding a $7,500 federal tax credit.

The Pacifica Hybrid's interior featured black Nappa premium leather, exuding quality. However, its soft styling seemed outdated compared to the sharper, architectural motifs of modern vehicles, and unlike Kia's Carnival, Chrysler made no attempt to mask its minivan roots. This clarity could either be a selling point or a drawback.

In terms of performance, the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder maintained continuity by retaining its 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 284 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque. The engine's power remained unchanged from its predecessor, though the lack of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or electric options might disappoint some. The V6 was paired with a new nine-speed automatic transmission, replacing the old CVT. The transmission was noted for its smooth gear shifts.

Buyers had the choice between FWD and AWD configurations. The FWD model came with a five-position drive mode selector, while the AWD variant offered seven drive and terrain modes. Standard features included hill-start assist, with hill descent control exclusive to AWD models.

The Pathfinder delivered an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 21 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined for FWD models. Opting for AWD improved highway mileage by one mpg but kept the combined figure at 23 mpg. The AWD Pathfinder Platinum, fully-equipped, had a slightly lower fuel economy of 20 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined. A new capless fuel filler was another addition.

Built on an improved platform, the Pathfinder’s suspension offered a stable and comfortable ride. Steering was sufficiently responsive, making city driving and off-road trails manageable. With a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds, it ranked highly among midsize SUVs. Features like the Class II tow hitch, trailer harness, and standard seven-inch pre-wiring further enhanced its towing credentials. The transmission occasionally struggled at speed, requiring a brief gas pedal release for recalibration.

In contrast, the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid boasted a unique plug-in hybrid powertrain, combining a 3.6-liter V6 with a dual-motor electric drive system. The total system output was 260 horsepower, with the electric motor’s immediate torque delivery ensuring the van felt adequately powered, even fully loaded.

The standout feature was its 32-mile electric-only range, making daily commutes and errands efficient. Charging was straightforward, with a standard outlet sufficing for overnight recharges. The electric drive system's smooth transition to the gasoline engine during high power requirements was nearly imperceptible. The regenerative braking system further optimized efficiency, capturing energy to recharge the battery.

In testing, the Pacifica Hybrid achieved an average fuel economy of 37.1 mpg, outperforming the Toyota Sienna’s 36 mpg combined rating, though the Sienna's AWD offering slightly reduced its fuel economy to 35 mpg. The Pacifica Hybrid's powertrain was silent and refined, with an automatic system managing efficiency without needing driver intervention through specific modes.

Despite the impressive powertrain, the Pacifica Hybrid’s driving experience was lackluster. Light and uncommunicative steering, average regenerative brakes, and a somewhat unnatural ride quality due to the low-mounted battery were noted. However, its ability to comfortably handle speed humps was a highlight.

Nissan placed a premium on interior comfort for the 2022 Pathfinder, starting with noise reduction. Improvements included better insulation, front-row acoustic laminated glass, thicker second-row glass, and door-mounted outside mirrors to diminish road and engine noise.

Designing a family-oriented hauler, Nissan emphasized flexibility. Key features included wide-opening rear doors, second-row captain's chairs (optional), and the ability to fit three car seats across the second-row bench. Innovations like the EZ Flex Latch and Glide second-row seat technology allowed easy third-row access with or without a forward-facing car seat. Another thoughtful addition was the removable second-row center console, easily storable in the rear under-floor cargo space.

The front center console offered 13.4 liters of storage, more than doubling traditional capacities. Cargo space behind the third row was 16.6 cubic feet, expanding to 45 cubic feet with the third row folded. With both rows down, it offered 80.5 cubic feet of storage. The flat cargo space sides facilitated loading wide items, and the rear floor provided 54 liters of additional storage with a self-supporting hinge.

The Pathfinder’s seating comfort was commendable, with abundant space and amenities like heated seats above the base model and ventilated seats for the Platinum trim. Adjustable driver and passenger seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, and ample cup and bottle holders (16 in total) added to the appeal. Variations in liftgate options included manual, power, and motion-activated on higher trims.

Minivans like the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid were unrivaled in comfort and utility. Offering triple-zone automatic climate control, quality leather upholstery, and heated and ventilated front seats, it remained cool during summer heat. The central console's padded sides enhanced long-trip comfort, and storage was a standout feature, from door panel shelves to a large under-console tray.

The second-row seats were more comfortable than the standard Pacifica’s Stow n’ Go chairs, offering better support and sliding adjustments. However, they needed manual removal to maximize cargo space, unlike the collapsible Stow n’ Go seats. The third-row seating was reasonably comfortable, with amenities like cupholders, USB ports, and window shades.

The Pacifica Hybrid excelled in cargo capacity, providing 32.3 cubic feet behind the third row. Collapsing the third row increased this to 87.5 cubic feet, comparable to midsize three-row SUVs with seats folded. Removing the second-row seats expanded the space to 140.5 cubic feet, surpassing even large SUVs like the Chevy Tahoe.

Nissan’s 2022 Pathfinder came equipped with user-friendly technology, mainly accessible even without opting for the highest trim. Standard features included a six-speaker audio system, 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, Siri Eyes Free, Google Assistant, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, voice recognition, Bluetooth, satellite radio, a 7-inch driver-information display, and multiple USB ports (Type-A and Type-C).

Higher trims like the Pathfinder Platinum upgraded to a fully digital 12.3-inch instrument panel and head-up display. Additional tech options included a 13-speaker Bose Premium Audio system, a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless charging, wireless Apple CarPlay, navigation, extra USB ports, and NissanConnect Services, ensuring a technologically rich experience across trims.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the latest Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen. It offered appealing graphics, an intuitive interface, and quick response times. It supported five user profiles, simultaneous Bluetooth pairing for two devices, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Amazon Alexa, connected services, and an available Wi-Fi hotspot. The FamCam feature allowed parents to monitor rear-seat passengers via an overhead camera.

However, voice recognition was spotty, sometimes misinterpreting commands. The 20-speaker Harman Kardon sound system promised top-tier audio quality but required manual adjustments to achieve the best sound. For 2022, Amazon Fire TV integration for the rear-seat entertainment system was an addition, but user preference for personal devices questioned its necessity.

Parking assist and a surround-view camera system were standard from the Touring L trim upwards, though reliance on such systems was debated.

Safety was a strong suit for the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder, equipped with the Safety Shield 360 suite across all trims. Features included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, high-beam assist, and rear automatic braking. Additional standard safety features were a driver alertness monitor, rear door alert, and forward-collision warning. A rearview camera was standard, while a surround-view monitor adorned higher trims. The Pathfinder had ten airbags, with the Platinum trim increasing this to eleven. Crash test ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were pending.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid boasted Chrysler’s claim of the highest standard safety and security features in the industry. This included a newly added rear-seat reminder system. Comprehensive driver-assist and collision-avoidance systems were standard, though lane-centering adaptive cruise control wasn’t offered. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-keeping assist were included, yet needed refinement in operation.

While the Pacifica Hybrid had a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, its frontal-impact protection scored four stars, the only slight concern in an otherwise strong safety profile.