2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2023 Honda Pilot

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, available in Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle trims, presented a sleek appearance with the mid-trim Limited featuring the S Appearance Package. This package added body-colored door handles and exterior mirrors, a gloss black grille surround, and black accents, complemented by 18-inch wheels with a "Foreshadow" finish. The front showcased a split grille with standard LED headlamps, while the rear boasted LED tail lamps spanning its width. Despite minivans lacking the allure of SUVs, the Pacifica Hybrid offered practicality with sliding doors and ample cargo space. The interior of the Limited trim, though predominantly black, featured 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 Honda Pilot underwent a complete redesign, adopting a more rugged and substantial look. Its upright grille and boxier styling contributed to its increased dimensions, making it larger than its predecessor. The Pilot's TrailSport model embraced these changes with genuine off-road enhancements, including a taller ride height, unique wheels, all-terrain tires, and underbody skid plates. The interior, while more conventional, remained attractive and functional, with improved materials quality. The new Pilot emphasized utility without sacrificing appeal, offering a tidy and utilitarian aesthetic that surpassed the previous generation. It prioritized function over form, making it a practical choice for families.

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 minivan available as a plug-in hybrid. The EPA rated it for 32 miles of all-electric range, 520 miles of total range, 82 MPGe, and 30 mpg combined. However, real-world testing showed slightly better results, with 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 predicted a 14-hour charge time. The Pacifica defaulted to all-electric mode first, which was efficient in city driving but less so on highways. The hybrid model was front-wheel drive only and lacked a spare tire and towing package, unlike its gasoline-only counterpart. With 260 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque, the Pacifica Hybrid offered sufficient power for highway passing, though not blistering acceleration.

The 2023 Honda Pilot featured a new 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on all models and standard on the Elite and TrailSport trims. The Pilot's acceleration was quick, with a pleasant engine hum, and the brake pedal was soft yet easy to modulate. While the Pilot cornered well for a three-row SUV, it was tuned for comfort rather than performance, with noticeable body roll but no alarming rebounds. The TrailSport trim offered increased ground clearance and all-terrain tires, adding a subtle vibration on pavement but enhancing off-road capabilities. The Pilot maintained on-road composure and comfort, making it a versatile family SUV.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid offered parents the FamCam interior camera, allowing them to monitor second-row captain’s chairs and third-row seats. The front seats were heated and cooled, with a heated steering wheel, and the driver’s seat was comfortable and adjustable. The second-row seats, though comfortable, were low, and taller passengers might find their knees elevated. The center pathway allowed easy access to the spacious third row, though taller individuals might prefer the extra legroom in competitors like the Honda Odyssey. The Pacifica Hybrid lacked the flat-fold 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, and 140.5 cubic feet with everything down. However, it offered less space than the Kia Carnival and Honda Odyssey.

The 2023 Honda Pilot's interior was more conventional, with a handy dash shelf for the front passenger. The entry-level trims featured a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen, while higher trims upgraded to a nine-inch display. The Elite trim's touchscreen, though adequate, seemed small for the space. Primary controls were logically placed, and a large rubberized shelf accommodated two phones, with a wireless charging pad for one. The Pilot excelled in storage and convenience, with clever features like the stowable second-row center seat, providing a pass-through for third-row access. The second row offered ample space for adults over six feet tall, while the third row was less inviting but suitable for short trips. Cargo space was 22.4 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 60.1 cubic feet with the second row flat, and a maximum of 114.3 cubic feet, offering more capacity than the Kia Telluride.

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 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 capabilities via Amazon Fire TV or HDMI port. However, the cost of $2,795 for this feature was questionable given the prevalence of personal devices. The Pacifica Hybrid offered numerous charging options, including USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, a 115-volt outlet, auxiliary ports, and wireless charging.

The 2023 Honda Pilot's EX-L trim and above offered a larger infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, and USB ports in every row. Higher trims included a multi-view camera system, with the Elite trim adding a head-up display and a fully digital instrument panel. The infotainment system was responsive, with a logical layout and large buttons, though the graphics were not particularly modern. Features like Honda's CabinTalk interior PA system, navigation, Bose premium audio, remote monitoring, and a Wi-Fi hotspot were available on higher trims. The TrailSport and Elite trims featured the multi-view TrailWatch camera system for enhanced off-road awareness.

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

The 2023 Honda Pilot had not yet been rated by the NHTSA, but it received a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. Standard Honda Sensing safety features included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, traffic-jam assist, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, a traffic sign reader, automatic high beams, and a driver attention monitor. The EX-L and higher trims added low-speed automatic braking and parking sensors, while the TrailSport and Elite trims included surround-view and multi-view camera systems. The advanced safety features functioned as expected, with no false alarms, and the adaptive cruise control maintained a smooth driving experience. Off-roaders were advised to disable some proximity warnings and low-speed automatic braking to avoid unnecessary triggers.