2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2023 Toyota RAV4

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, available in Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle trims, offered a sleek and practical design. The mid-trim Limited with the S Appearance Package featured body-colored door handles and exterior mirrors, a gloss black grille surround, and black accents, all complemented by 18-inch wheels with a "Foreshadow" finish. The split grille was flanked by standard LED headlamps, and the LED tail lamps spanned the rear width. Despite minivans lacking the cool factor of SUVs, the Pacifica Hybrid's sliding doors and ample cargo space made it a practical choice.

Inside, the Limited trim's dark interior was adorned with Nappa leather seats and a sophisticated dash with sweeping lines. The chunky HVAC and audio knobs were user-friendly, though their proximity to the transmission selector dial could cause confusion. The interior, while dark, exuded a sense of sophistication and practicality.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4, offered in six trim levels, maintained the design introduced in 2019, particularly in the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims. The Adventure trim, which we tested, featured a more aggressive grille with a centrally positioned Toyota badge, blacked-out wheels, a faux skid plate, and prominent black cladding around the wheel arches. However, it was more of a style statement than a true off-roader.

Inside, the Adventure trim added orange accents, including a stripe down the middle of the seats and contrast stitching. The center console featured orange plastic borders, adding a pop of color to the otherwise basic interior. The frameless rearview mirror lent a premium touch, though the overall interior remained fairly pedestrian. The RAV4 offered a range of seating options, from fabric seats in the LE and XLE trims to synthetic leather in the XLE Premium, with varying levels of adjustability and comfort features.

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 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 fuel economy. 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 just two hours, while a standard outlet required 14 hours.

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

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came standard with front-wheel drive, except for the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims, which featured all-wheel drive. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produced 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the transmission was preferable to a CVT, it did not enhance acceleration, which was more "unobjectionable" than "exciting." The engine was also notably noisy.

The RAV4 Adventure, with its 19-inch wheels and all-season tires, shared the same suspension setup as other RAV4s, while the TRD Off-Road trim featured 18-inch wheels with Falken All-Terrain tires and a TRD-tuned suspension. The Adventure trim, despite its rugged appearance, was not equipped for serious off-roading.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the FamCam interior camera, allowing parents to monitor second and third-row passengers, including rear-facing child seats. The heated and cooled front seats, along with a heated steering wheel, provided comfort, while the second-row seats, though comfortable, were a bit low for taller passengers. The spacious third row was accessible through a center pathway, though taller passengers might prefer the extra legroom in the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna.

The Pacifica Hybrid's cargo space remained the same as the standard model, with 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 the flat-fold Stow 'n Go seats, built-in vacuum cleaner, and heated second-row seats available in the gasoline-only Pacifica.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 seated five and offered 37.7 inches of headroom in the front row and 39.5 inches in the back with the moonroof. Legroom measured 41 inches in the front and 37.8 inches in the second row, placing it in line with the Honda CR-V in the front but behind both the CR-V and Subaru Forester in the back. The back seat was also narrower than its competitors.

The RAV4 provided ample storage options, including a shelf running the length of the glove compartment and generous door pockets. The front-row center cupholders were conveniently placed, and the lever-style gear shifter added a rugged touch. Cargo space measured 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded, placing it ahead of some competitors but behind the Honda CR-V.

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 options, though it was a pricey addition at $2,795.

The Pacifica Hybrid featured numerous charging options, including USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, a 115-volt outlet, auxiliary ports, and wireless charging, ensuring no device was left uncharged.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 introduced a new infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen standard and a 10.5-inch touchscreen for Limited and TRD Off-Road trims. The latest software supported over-the-air updates, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity were standard, along with voice command. The upgraded multimedia system, available for an extra $3,490, included a 10.5-inch screen and an 11-speaker JBL Premium audio system.

A 7-inch driver-information display was standard, with a 12.3-inch version available on the Limited trim and as an option for the TRD Off-Road.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came with a host 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, and the adaptive cruise control system operated smoothly.

However, features like parallel parking assist and front and rear parking assist required an additional package or the top Pinnacle trim. The 2023 Pacifica Hybrid had not yet been rated by the NHTSA, but the 2022 model received a five-star overall safety rating. The IIHS gave it Good marks across the board, with Marginal grades for seat belt reminders and Average grades for headlights and LATCH ease of use.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came standard with lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam LED headlights, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. Higher-end driver-assistance features like adaptive cruise control were also standard. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was available on the base LE model and standard starting with XLE.

The RAV4 was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. The 2023 RAV4 earned a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, with top scores in crash-testing and middling marks in updated side and moderate overlap front crash tests.