2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2022 Toyota Sienna

The 2022 Toyota Sienna occupied a unique niche in the automotive market, standing firm as a minivan while many competitors shifted focus to SUVs. Toyota's commitment to the minivan segment was evident from its history, starting with the original Van in 1984, followed by the innovative Previa in 1990, and the debut of the Sienna in 1998. The fourth-generation Sienna, launched in 2021, continued to embrace its minivan identity while incorporating SUV-like styling cues. The Sienna featured a macho front end, re-engineered door hinges, and a sleek profile with 17-inch wheels on base models, stepping up to 20-inch wheels on higher trims.

Inside, the Sienna avoided the typical minivan feel with an uncluttered front cabin design and ample storage options. The second and third rows offered roomy seating, with available second-row captain’s chairs and a spacious third-row bench. The third-row 60/40-split bench could be easily stored away, and the second-row seats slid up to 25 inches for easy access. The Sienna's interior was designed with family convenience in mind, featuring numerous cup holders and storage cubbies throughout.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, available in Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle trims, offered a stylish and practical minivan option. The mid-trim Limited with the S Appearance Package added body-colored door handles, gloss black grille surround, and black accents, complemented by 18-inch wheels with a "Foreshadow" finish. The Pacifica Hybrid featured a split grille with standard LED headlamps and LED tail lamps spanning the rear width. While minivans lacked the cool factor of SUVs, the Pacifica Hybrid provided practicality with sliding doors and ample cargo space.

The Limited trim's interior, though dark, featured handsome Nappa leather seats and a sophisticated dash design. The chunky HVAC and audio knobs were user-friendly, though their proximity to the transmission selector dial could cause confusion. The Pacifica Hybrid's interior was comfortable, with heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a spacious third row accessible through a large center pathway. However, taller passengers might find the second-row seats a bit low, and the third row offered slightly less legroom compared to competitors like the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna carried over its hybrid powertrain from 2021, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, producing a combined 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available on all trims. The AWD system added a separate electric motor for the rear wheels, providing 54 hp and 89 pound-feet of torque. The Sienna used an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), offering smooth and efficient power delivery. Drivers could select from four drive modes: Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport.

The Sienna's handling was impressive for a minivan, thanks to the Toyota Next Generation Architecture (TNGA) platform's front suspension and independent rear trailing arm suspension. The Sienna Hybrid achieved excellent fuel economy, with EPA ratings of 36 mpg city/highway/combined for FWD models and 35 mpg city/highway/combined for AWD models. The 288-volt nickel metal-hydride battery pack was tucked under the front seats, and Toyota offered a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty for the battery.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid combined a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a 16-kWh battery and two electric motors, making it the only plug-in hybrid minivan available. The EPA rated it for 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 for highway commutes. The Pacifica Hybrid's 260 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque provided adequate performance, though not as powerful as the non-hybrid Pacifica's 287 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. The continuously variable automatic transmission operated smoothly, and the battery's placement in the floor improved handling. However, the Pacifica Hybrid was only available with FWD and lacked a spare tire and towing capability.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was designed to be a versatile family workhorse, capable of carrying a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. The sliding second row added flexibility for loading cargo, with measurements of 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101 cubic feet behind the first row. The Sienna also had a 3,500-pound maximum towing capacity. The standard 60/40-split third-row bench easily stored away, and each row featured storage cubbies and cupholders. Power-operated sliding doors and a rear tailgate with foot-motion triggers added convenience for busy families.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid offered the innovative FamCam interior camera, allowing parents to monitor second-row captain’s chairs and third-row seats. The camera even provided a view of rear-facing child seats and allowed zooming to specific seats. The Pacifica Hybrid's interior featured 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 competitors offered more legroom.

The Pacifica Hybrid's cargo space measured 32.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 87.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 140.5 cubic feet with all seats folded. However, the plug-in hybrid model lacked the Stow ‘n Go seats available in the standard Pacifica due to the battery placement. Additionally, the plug-in hybrid did not include the built-in vacuum cleaner or heated second-row seats available in other models.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna came with a 9-inch touchscreen standard across all trims, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, one USB media port, and six USB charging ports. However, it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sienna included a one-year trial of Safety Connect and Remote Connect, a 10-year trial of Service Connect, and a three-month trial of AT&T WiFi Connect. Higher trims offered a 12-speaker JBL audio system and a rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. A head-up display and digital rearview mirror were available on top trims.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Uconnect 5, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, 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 included numerous USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, a 115-volt outlet, auxiliary ports, and wireless charging, ensuring devices remained charged throughout the journey.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. The standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite included adaptive cruise control, Lane Tracing Assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and traffic sign recognition. The Sienna also featured 10 airbags, multiple LATCH child-seat connectors, a rear-seat reminder system, tire-pressure monitoring, and an inflator kit, with an optional spare tire.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came with 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. However, features like parallel parking assist and front and rear parking assist required additional packages or the top Pinnacle trim. The 2022 Pacifica Hybrid received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and Good marks from the IIHS, with some areas rated Marginal or Average.