2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2023 Ford Escape showcased a departure from its earlier rugged, boxy design, embracing a more European aesthetic. The refresh introduced a traditional front end with a central Ford blue oval logo and a stylish LED light bar, replacing the previous grille. The ST-Line Elite trim, which was tested, featured 19-inch wheels and body-color mirror caps, giving it an upscale appearance akin to a Mazda CX-5. Inside, the Escape boasted diamond-stitched leather upholstery, though it felt somewhat hard and plasticky. Despite this, the seats were comfortable, with a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat enhancing long-distance driving comfort. However, the interior was dominated by plastic materials, some of which felt scratchy and poorly reinforced.

In contrast, the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited trim with the S Appearance Package offered a more practical minivan design. It featured body-colored door handles, gloss black accents, and 18-inch wheels with a "Foreshadow" finish. The split grille was flanked by LED headlamps, and the rear was adorned with LED tail lamps spanning its width. The interior, while predominantly black, was sophisticated with Nappa leather seats and a few sweeping lines on the dash. The controls, though chunky, were sometimes confusingly close to the transmission selector dial. The Pacifica Hybrid was praised for its practicality, with sliding doors and ample cargo space, making it a more functional choice for families.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered multiple powertrain options, including a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine could be configured with either FWD or AWD. The ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite trims featured a more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, exclusively with AWD. Despite its impressive output, the Escape was not a performance crossover, with a soft suspension and no paddle shifters for manual gear control. The brakes provided predictable stopping power, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness common in some competitors.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid combined a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a 16-kWh battery and two electric motors, offering 260 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque. It was the only minivan available as a plug-in hybrid, with an EPA-rated 32 miles of all-electric range and 520 miles of total range. In testing, it exceeded these figures, achieving 33 miles of electric range and over 550 miles of total range. The Pacifica defaulted to all-electric mode before switching to hybrid operation, which was efficient in city driving but less so on highways. The hybrid model was FWD only and lacked a spare tire and towing package, unlike its gasoline-only counterpart. The continuously variable transmission operated smoothly, and the lower center of gravity improved handling.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided a comfortable driving experience with supportive seats and excellent ergonomics. The steering wheel, though plain, was pleasant to hold, and the armrests were well-positioned. The head-up display was easily adjustable for drivers of varying heights. However, the Escape fell short in cargo space, offering 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, trailing behind competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Rear-seat legroom was also slightly less than rivals, though headroom was ample.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in family-friendly features, such as the FamCam interior camera for monitoring rear passengers. The heated and cooled front seats and heated steering wheel added comfort, while the second-row seats, though low, were comfortable. The third row was spacious enough for adults, though taller passengers might prefer the Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna for more legroom. The Pacifica Hybrid lacked the Stow ‘n Go seats due to the battery placement, but still offered 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 140.5 cubic feet with all seats folded. However, it fell short of the Kia Carnival and Honda Odyssey in overall cargo capacity.

The 2023 Ford Escape featured the Sync 4 infotainment system, with an optional 13.2-inch touchscreen that enhanced the cabin's appearance. Sync 4 was user-friendly, with tiles for navigation, music, and Bluetooth pairing. The system included a static "Home" button for easy navigation, though it was occasionally slow to respond. The volume knob's placement was inconvenient, but overall, the tech features were impressive.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running Uconnect 5, praised for its ease of use and crisp graphics. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, with the ability to connect two phones via Bluetooth. The optional rear seat entertainment system added two 10-inch screens for second-row passengers, though its value was questionable given the prevalence of personal devices. The Pacifica Hybrid offered numerous charging options, including USB-A, USB-C, 12-volt outlets, a 115-volt outlet, auxiliary ports, and wireless charging.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with top scores in frontal and side-crash tests. However, the IIHS did not award it a Top Safety Pick due to a Marginal score in the side-impact test. The Escape came standard with Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The optional Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid included standard safety features like blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. The forward collision warning system was effective, and the adaptive cruise control was smooth. However, features like parallel parking assist required additional packages. The 2023 model had not been rated by the NHTSA, but the 2022 version received a five-star 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.