2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2023 Hyundai Palisade

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade, as Hyundai's largest SUV, had a commanding presence on the road, further enhanced by its 2023 styling update. The new front fascia, with its bold strokes and squared-off grille, framed the updated headlights, giving the SUV a stronger and more assertive look. LED accents, daytime running lights, and headlights were standard across the lineup, while LED taillights became standard on SEL trims and above. The top Calligraphy trim stood out with premium rear accent lighting, a unique grille, and a wider rear spoiler, while the new XRT trim featured a dark grille and black 20-inch wheels. The interior of the Calligraphy trim was stylish, featuring premium Nappa leather and a dual-pane sunroof, with heated and ventilated seats available in the first and second rows.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, available in Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle trims, offered a practical and sophisticated design. The mid-trim Limited with the S Appearance Package added body-colored door handles and mirrors, a gloss black grille surround, and black accents, complemented by 18-inch wheels. The split grille was flanked by standard LED headlamps, and the LED tail lamps spanned the rear width. Inside, the Limited trim featured a dark interior with handsome Nappa leather seats and a sophisticated dash design. The HVAC and audio knobs were chunky but could be confused with the transmission selector dial due to their proximity. The Pacifica Hybrid's interior was comfortable, with heated and cooled front seats and a heated steering wheel, although taller passengers might find the second-row seats a bit low.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, making it competitive in its class. The eight-speed automatic transmission could be controlled with standard paddle shifters, and power was routed to the front wheels by default, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available as a $1,900 option. The Palisade's towing capacity reached up to 5,000 pounds, and AWD models featured a dedicated Tow Mode. Fuel economy for front-wheel-drive models was 19 mpg city, 27 highway, and 22 combined, while AWD models achieved 19 city, 25 highway, and 21 combined.

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, 520 miles of total range, 82 MPGe, and 30 mpg combined. In practice, the Pacifica Hybrid exceeded these numbers, achieving 33 miles of electric range and over 550 miles of total range. The Pacifica Hybrid 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 front-wheel drive only and lacked a spare tire and towing package, unlike the gasoline-only Pacifica models.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade offered ample space, seating seven or eight passengers comfortably. It provided 44.1 inches of legroom in the front row, 42.4 in the second, and 31.4 in the third, with a total passenger volume of 155.3 cubic feet. The second-row seats featured a one-touch slide for easy access to the third row, and the 60/40-split seats folded flat for increased cargo space. Cargo capacity was 18 cubic feet with all seats in place, 45.8 behind the second row, and 86.4 with the second and third rows folded. The Palisade included HVAC vents in all rows and multiple cupholders, with a hands-free smart liftgate standard on all but the base trim.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the FamCam interior camera, allowing parents to monitor second and third-row passengers. The interior included 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 with the third row folded, and 140.5 with all seats down. However, the Pacifica Hybrid lacked the Stow 'n Go seats and built-in vacuum cleaner available in the standard Pacifica.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade featured a 12.3-inch color touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, HD Radio, SiriusXM, and Bluetooth connectivity. A premium 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system was available in SEL models and standard in Limited and Calligraphy. The Palisade offered a WiFi hotspot, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a color head-up display in higher trims. Hyundai's Bluelink connected vehicle system was standard, allowing remote access to vehicle information and features. The Palisade also introduced Digital Key 2 Touch, compatible with Apple and Samsung devices, for keyless entry and driving.

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 dual Bluetooth connectivity. An optional rear seat entertainment system added two 10-inch screens for second-row passengers, with streaming capabilities and games. The Pacifica Hybrid included multiple USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, a 115-volt outlet, auxiliary ports, and wireless charging, ensuring devices remained charged throughout the journey.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade included Hyundai's Smart Sense suite of safety features, such as forward collision avoidance, driver attention warning, high beam assist, and lane-keeping and lane-following assist. Blind-spot collision avoidance and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance were standard, along with navigation-based Smart Cruise Control and intelligent speed limit assist. Highway Driving Assist I and II were available, and a full-display digital rearview mirror was optional. The Palisade also featured safe exit warning and rear seat occupant alert.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid offered standard safety features like 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, while the adaptive cruise control system offered smooth braking and acceleration. Additional features like parallel parking assist required a package or the top Pinnacle trim. The 2022 Pacifica Hybrid received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and Good marks from the IIHS, except for seat belt reminders, headlights, and LATCH ease of use.