2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid marked a significant departure from its predecessors with a more assertive and truck-like design. It was longer and wider, giving it a muscular stance. The classic D-pillar taillights were updated to a modern three L-shape design, and the rear end appeared blockier, matching the bold front fascia. The Sport Touring trim, driven for this review, featured special Sport styling with black roof rails, mirrors, dual chrome exhaust finishers, and 19-inch wheels. Inside, the CR-V Hybrid followed the premium design trend seen in other Honda models, with high-quality materials and attractive contrast stitching.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, available in Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle trims, was reviewed in the mid-trim Limited with the S Appearance Package. This package added body-colored door handles, exterior mirrors, and black accents, including 18-inch wheels. The split grille was surrounded by standard LED headlamps, and the LED tail lamps spanned the rear width. While minivans lacked the cool factor of SUVs, the Pacifica Hybrid offered practical sliding doors and more cargo space. The Limited’s interior, though dark, 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 be confusing.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid offered a simplified powertrain choice: either turbocharged or hybrid. The hybrid powertrain combined a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a two-motor hybrid-electric system, producing 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful CR-V to date. It could travel up to 115 mph and had a towing capacity of up to 1,000 lbs. The CR-V Hybrid introduced a fourth drive mode, Snow, joining Sport, Normal, and Econ. The updated Real Time AWD system could send up to 50% of engine torque to the rear wheels. A new “B” shifter position increased regenerative braking, approximating a one-pedal driving experience. The FWD CR-V Hybrid achieved 43 mpg city, 36 highway, and 40 combined.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid combined a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a 16-kWh battery and two small electric motors, offering 32 miles of all-electric range, 520 miles of total range, 82 MPGe, and 30 mpg combined. In testing, it achieved 33 miles of electric range and over 550 miles of total range. Charging the battery on a Level 2 home charger took two hours, while a standard outlet predicted a 14-hour charge time. The Pacifica defaulted to all-electric mode first, which was efficient in the city but less so on the highway. The Pacifica Hybrid was FWD only and lacked a spare tire and towing package. It offered 260 horsepower and 230 lb-ft of torque, with a smooth continuously variable automatic transmission.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid’s larger exterior translated to more interior volume, with 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 76.5 cubic feet with them folded. Rear seat legroom increased to 41 inches, accommodating two people over 6 feet tall comfortably. The reclining rear seats offered eight positions, and headroom measured 38.2 inches in both rows. The cubby ahead of the shifter held two smartphones side by side, and the console provided best-in-class storage.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the FamCam interior camera, allowing parents to monitor children in the second and third rows. The tester had heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a comfortable driver’s seat. 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 cubes with the seats folded, and 140.5 cubic feet with everything folded. However, the plug-in hybrid lacked the flat-fold Stow ‘n Go seats, built-in vacuum cleaner, and heated second-row seats.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen with physical volume and tuning knobs, while the 9-inch touchscreen on the Sport Touring trim had a volume knob and hard Seek buttons. Both Hybrid models had two USB-A and two USB-C ports, Bluetooth connectivity, dual-zone climate control, heated mirrors, and heated front seats. The Sport Touring trim added driver’s seat memory, a four-way power-adjustable front passenger’s seat, heated steering wheel, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Sirius XM, HD radio, Wi-Fi capability, a wireless charging pad, and a 12-speaker Bose Premium audio system.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running Uconnect 5, featuring 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 content from Amazon Fire TV. Devices could be charged through USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, a 115-volt outlet, auxiliary ports, and wireless charging.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid included the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies as standard, with improved collision mitigation, road-departure mitigation, and lane-keeping assist systems. New safety features included traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition, low-speed braking control, a blind-spot information system, and a cross-traffic monitor. The CR-V Hybrid also had a rear-seat reminder, rear seatbelt reminder, new airbags, dashboard patches, and a 15% stiffer structure. It earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and five stars from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid had standard 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. Optional features included parallel parking assist and front and rear parking assist. The 2022 Pacifica Hybrid received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and Good marks from the IIHS, except for Marginal grades for seat belt reminders and Average grades for headlights and LATCH ease of use.