2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2023 Toyota Sienna

The 2023 Toyota Sienna worked hard to shed its traditional minivan image. The front end borrowed styling cues from a Japanese bullet train, and higher trims, like the XSE and Platinum, featured sporty 20-inch wheels. It was available in multiple trim levels: base LE, XLE, sporty XSE, premium Limited, and top-tier Platinum. A special 25th Anniversary Special Edition trim also joined the lineup.

The interior received praise for its high-quality materials. The Platinum trim model we drove featured elegant brown leather upholstery and beautiful wood-grain accents. With seating for seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim, the Sienna was flexible. Practical options for families included standard power-sliding doors and a power liftgate on the XLE and higher trims.

On the other hand, the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid in its Limited trim, included body-colored door handles and exterior mirrors, gloss black accents, and 18-inch wheels. Its split grille was flanked by standard LED headlamps, and the rear featured LED tail lamps spanning the vehicle's width. Inside, the standard black interior could be upgraded to lighter colors in higher trims, featuring Nappa leather seats and a sophisticated dashboard design.

However, the layout of the HVAC and audio knobs was criticized for their proximity to the transmission selector dial, which could be confusing. Nonetheless, the Pacifica’s practical design and focus on utility stood out, boasting features like the FamCam interior camera for monitoring rear passengers.

In 2020, Toyota revamped the Sienna by eliminating the traditional gasoline engine in favor of a hybrid system. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine worked with two front-mounted electric motors, combining for 245 net system horsepower. While this setup was less powerful compared to the competition, the Sienna’s chassis and steering offered a nimble and fun driving experience. Despite its size, it handled city driving well, aided by a light steering feel and tight turning radius. Multiple driving modes like EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport were available, though none dramatically changed the driving dynamics.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid combined a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a 16-kWh battery and two electric motors, delivering 260 horsepower. Significantly, it was the only plug-in hybrid minivan on the market, offering an EPA-estimated 32 miles of all-electric range and 82 MPGe. We even observed better numbers during our tests, achieving over 550 miles of total range. However, its electric-only mode was used up quickly on highways, which could be a drawback. Unlike the Sienna, the Pacifica's plug-in hybrid version was front-wheel drive only and lacked features like a spare tire and towing capability.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior storage solutions. With over 200 inches in length and a 120.5-inch wheelbase, it was spacious. It offered 33.5 cubic feet of storage behind the third row, expanding to 101 cubic feet with seats folded. This was less compared to some rivals due to the inability to remove the middle-row seats. However, the second row's sliding captain’s chairs allowed adults to sit comfortably in the third row.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid included the innovative FamCam, which let parents keep an eye on second and third-row passengers through an in-cabin camera system. The Limited model featured heated and cooled front seats while second-row seats, though comfortable, were set lower. It missed out on Stow ‘n Go seats due to battery placement but maintained substantial cargo space with 32.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 140.5 cubic feet with all seats down. Despite this, the Odyssey and Carnival offered more overall space.

Toyota did not upgrade the Sienna with its latest tech, relying instead on an older infotainment system. The 9-inch touchscreen interface included essentials like SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, but required wired connections. The interface felt outdated and clunky at times, especially when transitioning between functions.

Conversely, the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Uconnect 5. This robust system included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and allowed for the connection of two phones via Bluetooth. The optional rear seat entertainment system added two 10-inch screens for second-row passengers, offering various games and streaming capabilities.

The Sienna stood out with its comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and more. It had a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and the 2022 model received a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS.

Similarly, the Pacifica Hybrid included ample standard safety features like blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, and pedestrian automatic emergency braking. While most systems performed well, parallel parking assist and front and rear parking assist required an upgrade. The 2022 version received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and similar IIHS ratings to its predecessor.