2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2023 Subaru Outback

The 2023 Subaru Outback received a facelift that gave it a more aggressive appearance. It featured a redesigned front end with new LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper with dark gray vertical cladding, creating the illusion of large air intakes. The addition of a jutting simulated skid plate, fog lights in oversized housings, and asymmetrical wheel arch trim reminiscent of the Wilderness model further enhanced its bold look. While these changes might not appeal to everyone, opting for a dark paint color could help tone down the design's excesses. The Onyx Edition, with its black wheels and trim, complemented the cladding and was available with both the base and turbocharged powertrains, making it more accessible with a starting price of $33,495 for the non-turbo version.

Inside, the Outback Touring trim impressed with its upscale Java Brown leather upholstery, contrasting beautifully with the black interior. The dashboard and door panels featured light gray contrast stitching, adding to the cohesive and premium feel. Despite some hard plastic elements, the interior didn't feel cheap, and the flat, textured door sills served as practical steps for accessing the roof rack. The only downside was the large infotainment screen and gloss black trim, which easily collected dust and smudges.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, available in Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle trims, offered a sleek and practical design. Our test model, the mid-trim Limited with the S Appearance Package, featured body-colored door handles and 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. While minivans might lack the cool factor of SUVs, the Pacifica Hybrid proved to be a practical choice with its sliding doors and ample cargo space.

Inside, the Limited trim boasted a dark interior with handsome Nappa leather seats and a sophisticated dash design. The chunky HVAC and audio knobs were appreciated, though they were positioned close to the transmission selector dial, which could lead to confusion. The Pacifica Hybrid's interior was comfortable, with heated and cooled front seats and a heated steering wheel. The second-row seats were comfortable but a bit low, and the center pathway allowed easy access to the spacious third row. However, taller passengers might find more legroom in competitors like the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured horizontally opposed engines, known for their flat design, which helped lower the vehicle's center of gravity for improved handling. The standard engine, a 2.5-liter flat-four, produced 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. While the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) made good use of the power at lower speeds, the Outback felt underpowered during passing and climbing. Subaru claimed a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, but the engine's performance left much to be desired. The EPA estimated 28 mpg in combined driving, but real-world testing returned only 25.6 mpg.

For those seeking more power, the Outback XT models offered a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine with 260 hp at 5,600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 rpm and 4,800 rpm. However, the XT models were heavier and less fuel-efficient, with most rated at 25 mpg combined. The Wilderness trim, with its higher stance and all-terrain tires, had an EPA rating of 23 mpg combined. The upgrade to the turbocharged engine came at a cost, ranging from $2,450 to $5,100 more than the naturally aspirated Outback.

The Outback's CVT was programmed to mimic an eight-speed automatic transmission, with paddle shifters on the steering wheel for manual control. All models came with an Active Torque Split AWD system, varying power distribution between the front and rear axles as needed. The X-Mode traction system optimized the drivetrain for challenging terrain, and hill descent control was standard. The Outback's ground clearance was generous, with the standard model offering 8.7 inches and the Wilderness trim providing 9.5 inches.

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 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, the Pacifica Hybrid exceeded these numbers, achieving 33 miles of electric range and over 550 miles of total range. 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 operation once the EV range was depleted. This setup worked well in city driving but quickly consumed electric power on the highway. Unlike other plug-in hybrids, the Pacifica didn't allow drivers to hold the electric-only mode, limiting its flexibility. The hybrid model was front-wheel drive only and lacked a spare tire and towing package, which were available on the gasoline-only Pacifica.

Despite these limitations, the Pacifica Hybrid offered a pleasant driving experience. Its 260 horsepower and 230 lb-ft of torque were sufficient for highway passing, though not for rapid acceleration. The CVT operated smoothly, and the steering was light but suitable for a minivan. The battery's placement in the floor improved handling by lowering the center of gravity.

The 2023 Subaru Outback prioritized utility with features like a robust roof rack, flat door sill trim, and a dashboard storage shelf. The Touring trim offered a comfortable interior with a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, and heated and ventilated front seats. The rear outboard seats were also heated, and the steering wheel was heated and wrapped in premium Nappa leather. The Outback's interior was spacious, accommodating two adults and two teens comfortably during long drives. However, wind noise on the highway was noticeable, likely due to the roof rack design.

The Outback's high ground clearance made entry and exit easy, and the cargo space was generous, with 32.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 75.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The flat, textured door sills served as steps for accessing the roof rack, which was ready for tying down items and accepting accessory racks. While the Outback offered practical storage, more space could be added by redesigning the transmission shifter.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the FamCam interior camera, allowing parents to monitor children in the second and third rows. The Limited trim offered 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. However, taller passengers might prefer the legroom in competitors like the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna.

The Pacifica Hybrid's cargo space was 32.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 87.5 cubic feet with the seats folded down and 140.5 cubic feet with all seats folded. However, the plug-in hybrid model lacked the Stow 'n Go seats due to the battery placement, and it didn't include the built-in vacuum cleaner or heated second-row seats available in the standard Pacifica.

The 2023 Subaru Outback, except for the Base trim, featured a Starlink 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system in portrait orientation. Physical controls included volume and tuning knobs, dual-zone climate control buttons, and defroster buttons. The base model had a 7-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Premium trims and above offered wireless connectivity for Apple and Android platforms, along with access to Starlink connected services and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Depending on the trim, a navigation system and Harman Kardon premium audio system were available. A wireless charging pad was a dealer-installed accessory.

Subaru improved the Starlink system's usability for 2023, but the graphics and colorful icons were not universally liked. The wireless smartphone connectivity was appreciated, reducing clutter and compensating for the poor native voice recognition system. The Outback's technology struggled with voice commands, failing to provide directions or change radio stations. Additional features included a camera-based digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree front-view camera, though a surround-view camera was not available.

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, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and the ability to connect two phones via Bluetooth. Our test model had the optional rear seat entertainment system, adding two 10-inch screens for second-row passengers with games and streaming content from Amazon Fire TV. However, the feature's value was questionable given the prevalence of personal devices.

The Pacifica Hybrid offered numerous charging options, including USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, a 115-volt outlet, auxiliary ports, and wireless charging. This ensured that devices remained charged throughout the vehicle.

The 2023 Subaru Outback emphasized safety with new EyeSight cameras and an electronic brake booster, enhancing pedestrian, cyclist, and automatic steering functions. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded it top marks, including in the new side-impact crash test. The Base model included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available as options or on higher trims.

EyeSight's Automatic Emergency Steering system could steer within a lane to avoid obstacles if the driver failed to act. The Outback Limited and Touring offered a Wide-Angle Mono Camera for improved pedestrian and cyclist detection. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist systems were accurate but introduced an artificial steering feel. The rear automatic braking system was incompatible with some driveways, leading to jarring stops.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid included 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 offered smooth braking and quick acceleration.

Optional features included parallel parking assistance and front and rear parking assist, available through packages or on the Pinnacle trim. The 2023 Pacifica Hybrid had not been rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but the 2022 model 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.