2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, available in Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle trims, offered a sleek appearance with the S Appearance Package on the Limited trim. This package included body-colored door handles, gloss black grille accents, and 18-inch wheels with a "Foreshadow" finish. The minivan featured a split grille with LED headlamps and tail lamps spanning the rear. Inside, the Limited trim had a dark interior with Nappa leather seats and a sophisticated dashboard design. However, the proximity of the HVAC and audio knobs to the transmission selector dial could cause confusion.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, redesigned for the year, maintained a similar look to the standard RX 350, with the RX 350h Luxury model featuring 21-inch wheels and a subtle hybrid badge. The RX 500h F Sport Performance stood out with a Copper paint job, blacked-out grille, and aggressive styling. The RX models had a blunt-nosed design with a stretched wheelbase, giving them a smaller appearance. Inside, the RX adopted a minimalistic look with improved infotainment and ambient lighting. The RX 350h Luxury had Macadamia leather and Ash Bamboo trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance featured black interiors with artificial suede and aluminum trim.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid combined a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a 16-kWh battery and two electric motors, offering 32 miles of all-electric range and 520 miles total. It achieved 82 MPGe and 30 mpg combined, though real-world testing showed slightly better results. Charging on a Level 2 home charger took two hours, while a standard outlet required 14 hours. The Pacifica defaulted to all-electric mode, which was efficient in city driving but less so on highways. The hybrid model was FWD only, with 260 horsepower and 230 lb-ft of torque, providing smooth driving but lacking AWD and towing capabilities.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered two versions: the RX 350h and RX 500h F Sport Performance. The RX 350h, with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, produced 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, achieving 36 mpg combined. It accelerated to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, with a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine, delivered 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in 5.9 seconds but only 27 mpg combined. The RX 500h featured adaptive damping suspension and rear-wheel steering, enhancing its sporty feel. However, accessing drive modes required navigating the infotainment system, and real-world fuel economy fell short of estimates.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid offered features like the FamCam interior camera and heated and cooled front seats. The second-row seats were comfortable but low, and the third row provided ample space. Cargo space was 32.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 140.5 cubic feet with seats folded. However, the hybrid lacked Stow ‘n Go seats, a built-in vacuum, and heated second-row seats.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid provided comfort with ten-way power-adjustable front seats in the RX 350h Luxury and eight-way in the RX 500h F Sport Performance. The RX had a lower roofline, affecting rear headroom but offering good leg support. Cargo space was 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expanding to 46.2 cubic feet with seats folded, an improvement over the previous model but still less than some competitors.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Uconnect 5, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. An optional rear seat entertainment system added two 10-inch screens for $2,795, though many kids might prefer their own devices. The vehicle had numerous charging ports, ensuring devices stayed powered.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system with connected services plans. The Lexus Interface required activation of free trial subscriptions for full functionality, including cloud-based navigation and an Intelligent Assistant. The system had some usability issues, such as screen reflections and a lack of a tuning knob. The available head-up display had dual-function control pads, which could be problematic with polarized sunglasses.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came with standard safety features like blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. However, parallel parking assistance required additional packages. The 2022 model received a five-star safety rating from NHTSA and Good marks from IIHS, except for some areas.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid included Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and more. Proactive Driving Assist and Traffic Jam Assist were available, though some features had limitations, such as the front cross-traffic alert and curve-speed reduction. The driver monitoring system could be obstructed by certain driving positions.