2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2023 Dodge Durango

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, available in Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle trims, presented a sleek appearance with the Limited trim's S Appearance Package. This package added body-colored door handles and mirrors, a gloss black grille surround, and black accents, complemented by 18-inch wheels with a "Foreshadow" finish. The split grille was framed by standard LED headlamps, and the LED tail lamps spanned the rear width, enhancing its visual appeal. Despite minivans lacking the allure of SUVs, the Pacifica Hybrid offered practicality with sliding doors and ample cargo space. Inside, the Limited trim featured a dark interior with handsome Nappa leather seats and a sophisticated dash design. However, the proximity of the HVAC and audio knobs to the transmission selector dial could cause confusion.

The 2023 Dodge Durango, entering its 12th model year without a redesign, maintained a familiar yet attractive look. It eschewed faux ruggedness for clean, car-like styling, avoiding oversized grilles. The slim design, forward-leaning headlights, and large lower air intake gave it a strong presence. At the rear, Dodge's signature "racetrack" taillights added distinction. The SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat models featured subtle unique styling elements, including a Viper-like hood and unique wheels. The Blacktop Package and Hemi Orange appearance package offered additional customization options. The interior, while not as distinctive as the exterior, provided a pleasant environment with materials suited to various trim levels. The Durango Citadel added luxury with Nappa leather upholstery and heated seats, while the SRT Hellcat test car boasted bold red leather upholstery.

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. It offered an EPA-rated 32 miles of all-electric range, 520 miles of total range, 82 MPGe, and 30 mpg combined fuel economy. In testing, it exceeded these numbers, 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 defaulted to all-electric mode, which was efficient in city driving but quickly depleted on highways. The plug-in hybrid model lacked AWD, a spare tire, and a towing package, which were available on gasoline-only models. With 260 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque, it provided adequate highway passing power, though acceleration wasn't blistering. The continuously variable automatic transmission operated smoothly, and the lower center of gravity improved handling.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine producing 293 horsepower (295 hp with dual exhaust) and 260 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission was standard, with RWD or optional AWD. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8, standard on the R/T and optional on the Citadel, delivered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The SRT 392 featured a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 475 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The SRT Hellcat, with a 6.2-liter supercharged V8, produced 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds. The Hellcat test car felt as quick as its specs suggested, with minimal wind and tire noise at highway speeds. The adaptive-damping suspension, Pirelli P Zero tires, and Brembo brakes made managing the power easy.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid offered features like the FamCam interior camera, allowing parents to monitor second and third-row passengers. The test model included heated and cooled front seats and a heated steering wheel. The driver's seat was comfortable and adjustable, with a soft center armrest. Second-row seats were comfortable but low, and the center pathway allowed easy access to the spacious third row. Cargo space was 32.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 87.5 cubes with seats folded, and 140.5 cubic feet with all seats down. However, the plug-in hybrid lacked Stow 'n Go seats, a built-in vacuum cleaner, and heated second-row seats.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered seven-seat or six-seat configurations, with standard front bucket seats, a second-row bench, and a third-row bench on SXT, GT, and R/T models. The Citadel, SRT 392, and SRT Hellcat models featured second-row captain's chairs. Interior space was comparable to other three-row midsize SUVs, though the Chevy Traverse offered more cargo space. The Durango had 17.2 cubic feet with all rows in place, 43.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 85.1 cubic feet behind the first row. Small-item storage was generous, with a large wireless charging pad and USB ports. The Durango excelled in towing, with V6 models towing up to 6,200 pounds and V8 models up to 8,700 pounds.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Uconnect 5, offering ease of use and crisp graphics. It included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and dual Bluetooth phone connectivity. The optional rear seat entertainment system added two 10-inch screens for second-row passengers, with games and Amazon Fire TV streaming. Charging options included USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, a 115-volt outlet, auxiliary ports, and wireless charging.

The 2023 Dodge Durango's SXT and GT models had an 8.4-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, while the Citadel and SRT models had a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity. The larger screen used Uconnect 5, offering a responsive and user-friendly experience. SRT models featured Easter Eggs and the Performance Pages app, providing performance information. A 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available with the Premium Package on the SRT Hellcat.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came with standard safety features like 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 visual and audible alerts, while adaptive cruise control offered smooth braking and acceleration. Parallel parking assist and front and rear parking assist required additional packages or the top Pinnacle trim. The 2023 model hadn't been rated by the NHTSA, but the 2022 version received a five-star overall safety rating. The IIHS gave it Good marks, except for Marginal grades for seat belt reminders and Average grades for headlights and LATCH ease of use.

The 2023 Dodge Durango received mixed results in IIHS crash tests, with Good marks in moderate front overlap, side, and roof strength tests, but a Marginal score in the driver-side small overlap front test. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall safety rating, with five stars in the side crash test and four stars in the frontal crash test. RWD versions received four stars in the rollover test, while AWD models got three stars. Standard driver-assist tech was limited, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert standard on all trims. Forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking were standard only on the Citadel and optional on other models.