2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2023 Jeep Compass

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, available in Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle trims, offered a sophisticated exterior with the S Appearance Package on the mid-trim Limited. 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 split grille was framed by standard LED headlamps, and the LED tail lamps spanned the entire rear width. Despite minivans lacking the cool factor of SUVs, the Pacifica Hybrid was a practical choice with sliding doors and ample cargo space.

Inside, the Limited trim featured a dark interior with Nappa leather seats and a dash with sweeping lines, giving it a sophisticated feel. The chunky HVAC and audio knobs were appreciated, though their proximity to the transmission selector dial could cause confusion. The interior was handsome but predominantly black unless upgraded to the top trim.

The 2023 Jeep Compass reflected a refined Jeep design ethos, moving away from rugged styling. It featured new 17-inch wheels for Sport and Latitude models, gloss black wheels for the Trailhawk, and various color options for the Compass Red editions. The Compass lineup included the base Sport, mid-level Latitude, upgraded Latitude Lux, upscale Limited, and off-road-focused Trailhawk, with prices ranging from just under $32,000 to over $40,000.

Our Limited test vehicle, priced at $45,800, featured Granite Crystal paint, multi-spoke 19-inch wheels, and a two-tone black and gray cabin with caramel accents. The interior boasted sophisticated digital displays, metallic trim, and low-gloss plastics, making it feel like a small luxury SUV. However, the high price tag made it less competitive compared to larger compact crossovers or small luxury SUVs.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid combined a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a 16-kWh battery and two small 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. In real-world testing, it achieved 33 miles of electric range and over 550 miles of total range, with combined mpg exceeding EPA estimates. Charging the battery on a Level 2 home charger took two hours, while a standard outlet predicted a 14-hour charge time.

The Pacifica Hybrid defaulted to all-electric mode before switching to hybrid, which was efficient in city driving but less so on highways. It offered 260 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque, sufficient for highway passing but not for blistering acceleration. The continuously variable automatic transmission operated smoothly, and the lower center of gravity improved handling. However, it lacked all-wheel drive, a spare tire, and a towing package, which were available on gasoline-only models.

The 2023 Jeep Compass finally received a satisfying powertrain with a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. The engine's peak torque was available from 1,750 to 4,250 rpm, with maximum horsepower at 5,000 rpm. It was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard Jeep Active Drive all-wheel-drive system, featuring Selec-Terrain with Auto, Snow, and Sand/Mud modes.

The Trailhawk trim added Jeep Active Drive Low AWD with a low range, a 20:1 crawl ratio, Rock driving mode, hill descent control, aggressive tires, skid plates, and recovery hooks. It had 8.6 inches of ground clearance and improved approach and departure angles. The new turbo engine transformed the Compass from gutless to gutsy, though it wasn't as powerful as in the larger Cherokee. The EPA rated it at 27 mpg combined, but real-world testing averaged 23.8 mpg.

The Compass Limited provided plenty of grip with 19-inch wheels and 235/45 Continental all-season tires. The turbocharged engine was quieter and smoother, with the eight-speed automatic transmission shifting flawlessly. However, the Compass remained tall, narrow, and stubby, leading to significant body motions on uneven pavement. The standard AWD system was slow to engage, causing front wheelspin during hard acceleration.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the FamCam interior camera, allowing parents to monitor second-row captain’s chairs and third-row seats, including rear-facing child seats. The driver could zoom in on specific seats. Our tester had 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 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 cubic feet with the 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 Jeep Compass accommodated adults in both rows, despite its narrow design. Standard equipment included an air filtration system, humidity-sensing dual-zone automatic climate control, and an available dual-pane sunroof. Cloth upholstery was standard on Sport and Latitude models, with leather seats available on higher trims. The Compass offered an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel, depending on the trim and options.

Our Limited test vehicle featured leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and soft padding on primary contact points, except for the hard plastic edge of the center console. The rear seat provided enough space for adults, with generous foot room and supportive seat cushions. Interior storage was acceptable, though the center armrest bin was small. The Compass offered 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat, expandable to 59.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. A manually-adjustable front passenger seat could fold in half for carrying long items.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running Uconnect 5, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and the ability to connect two phones via Bluetooth. Our tester had the optional rear seat entertainment system, adding two 10-inch screens for second-row passengers, with games and streaming content from Amazon Fire TV. Devices could be charged through various USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, a 115-volt outlet, auxiliary ports, and wireless charging.

The 2023 Jeep Compass also featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Uconnect 5 technology, supporting Bluetooth pairing for two devices, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and SiriusXM Guardian connected services. Depending on the trim, it paired with a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel, an embedded navigation system, a nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system, and Alexa Built-in digital assistant. Our Limited test vehicle had all these features, with Alexa Built-in proving fast and accurate. The Alpine audio system was good but bass-heavy. The Compass also had a parking assist system and a surround-view camera.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid included 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 visual and audible alerts, and the adaptive cruise control system offered smooth braking and quick acceleration. However, parallel parking assist and front and rear parking assist were only available with a package or the top Pinnacle trim. The 2023 Pacifica Hybrid had not been rated by NHTSA, but the 2022 version received a five-star rating. 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 Jeep Compass added a standard drowsy driver detection system and rear-seat reminder system, with automatic high-beam headlights on all but the base Sport trim. Standard ADAS included forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Available upgrades included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, traffic sign recognition, and front and rear parking sensors. The Trailhawk, Limited, and High Altitude trims offered Highway Assist, a semi-autonomous driving system. Our Compass Limited had Highway Assist, which performed well except in certain conditions. NHTSA had not published crash-test ratings for the 2023 Compass, and IIHS offered incomplete test results, making it ineligible for a Top Safety Pick rating until further testing.