2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was characterized by its modernist and reductive design, which translated to a clean and simple aesthetic. This approach might not have appealed to those seeking a flashy luxury SUV, as Land Rover offered limited options for making the Range Rover Sport stand out, such as a Firenze Red paint color and diamond-turned, multi-spoke 23-inch wheels. The test vehicle, finished in Eiger Gray with silver 23-inch wheels and a Black Exterior Pack, exuded understated luxury. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme, complemented by aluminum and shiny black trim, created a sophisticated atmosphere. The Range Rover Sport was available in SE P360, SE Dynamic P400, and Autobiography P440e specifications, with the SE Dynamic P400 test vehicle featuring numerous upgrades that brought its MSRP to $98,420. Notable design elements included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology taillights, contributing to its excellent aerodynamics. The interior boasted a luxurious, high-tech appearance with sustainable Ultrafabrics and Windsor leather upholstery.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, available in Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle trims, offered a practical and stylish minivan option. The mid-trim Limited with the S Appearance Package added 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 Pacifica Hybrid's split grille was flanked by standard LED headlamps, and the LED tail lamps spanned the rear width. While minivans lacked the cool factor of SUVs, they provided practicality with sliding doors and ample cargo space. The Limited's interior, though dark, featured 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 a focus on practicality and family-friendly features.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement, comfort, and driver-focused engagement, though it only partially succeeded. It featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque in the SE Dynamic model. The SE P360 offered 355 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain was available in the Autobiography P440e, delivering 434 hp and 406 lb-ft with an estimated 51 miles of electric range. A 523-hp twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine was offered in early-build P530 models but was temporarily unavailable. A fully-electric version was expected in 2024. The test vehicle's 395-hp inline-six provided ample power, with a 0-60 mph time of 5.4 seconds. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, and a towing capacity of 7,716 pounds. The Range Rover Sport achieved 21 mpg in combined driving, with the test vehicle averaging 22.3 mpg. The SUV's new architecture increased torsional stiffness by 35%, and its adaptive damping air suspension enhanced ride comfort and handling. However, it struggled to match the driving dynamics of sport-tuned SUVs from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. Off-road, the Range Rover Sport excelled with its advanced suspension, 11.1 inches of ground clearance, and impressive approach, breakover, and departure angles.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid combined a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a 16-kWh battery and two electric motors, making it the only plug-in hybrid minivan available. The EPA rated it for 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, exceeding EPA estimates. Charging the battery on a Level 2 home charger took two hours, while a standard outlet required 14 hours. The Pacifica Hybrid defaulted to all-electric mode before switching to hybrid operation, which was efficient in city driving but less so on highways. It lacked the ability to hold electric-only mode, limiting flexibility. The plug-in hybrid model was front-wheel drive only and couldn't be equipped with a towing package. It offered 260 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque, with a smooth continuously variable automatic transmission. The Pacifica Hybrid handled well due to its lower center of gravity, though it lacked the power of the non-hybrid version.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport retained its Command Driving Position, offering a tall and airy feel with a low dashboard, upright windshield, and thin roof pillars. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit, and the front seats were comfortable with 20-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat, though improved, remained tight for taller passengers, with hard front seatback panels and narrow door openings. The back seat provided excellent support but had a reclined angle. Storage space was decent, with a shallow tray under the center console and a deep bin under the center armrest. The cargo area offered 31.9 cubic feet of space, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. A full-size spare tire limited storage under the cargo floor, but Land Rover provided a contraption to secure smaller items.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the FamCam interior camera, allowing parents to monitor children in the second and third rows. The test vehicle 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. The Pacifica Hybrid lacked Stow 'n Go seats due to the battery placement, but cargo space remained at 32.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 87.5 cubic feet with the seats folded. The total cargo space was 140.5 cubic feet, though competitors offered more. The plug-in hybrid model also lacked a built-in vacuum cleaner and heated second-row seats.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an Online Pack with connected services. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system was often confusing and frustrating to use. The SUV's native digital assistant struggled with basic tasks, such as finding a nearby Starbucks. The Range Rover Sport offered impressive Meridian audio systems with up to 29 speakers and 1,430 watts of power, along with Active Noise Cancellation. A wireless smartphone charging pad was included but difficult to access.

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 supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and dual phone connectivity 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. The Pacifica Hybrid featured numerous USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, a 115-volt outlet, auxiliary ports, and wireless charging, ensuring devices remained charged.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport included advanced driving assistance systems such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also had automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. Remote Park Assist was available, allowing the SUV to park itself via a smartphone app. The adaptive cruise control was slow to respond, and the steering assist technology was unsatisfactory, especially on freeway curves.

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, and adaptive cruise control. The forward collision warning system provided visual and audible alerts, while the adaptive cruise control was smooth and responsive. Parallel parking assistance and front and rear parking assist required additional packages or the top Pinnacle trim. The 2023 Pacifica Hybrid 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.