2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan maintained its design from the previous year, with the most notable update being the addition of a complimentary five-year Car-Net Safe & Secure connected services plan for owners. Available in S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line trims, the Tiguan's pricing ranged from $26,950 to $37,680, excluding a $1,295 destination charge. The SEL R-Line trim, priced at $38,975, featured a sporty appearance with 20-inch machined-finish wheels and adaptive front lighting. Despite its conservative design, the Tiguan's interior offered an upscale feel with quality leather upholstery, artificial wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof. However, the limited customization options based on trim levels restricted buyers' choices for exterior and interior combinations.

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, gloss black accents, and 18-inch wheels. The Pacifica Hybrid's exterior featured a split grille with LED headlamps and tail lamps. While minivans like the Pacifica Hybrid lacked the SUV's cool factor, they offered practicality with sliding doors and ample cargo space. The Limited trim's interior, though predominantly black, was sophisticated with Nappa leather seats and a well-designed dashboard. However, the proximity of the HVAC and audio knobs to the transmission selector dial could cause confusion.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with the option for VW’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. The SEL R-Line trim came with AWD as standard, offering various driving modes like Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual. The Tiguan's EPA rating was 24 mpg combined, but real-world testing yielded 22.6 mpg. The turbo-four engine provided adequate power, though it struggled at higher revs, and the automatic transmission occasionally stumbled with delayed downshifts. Despite these quirks, the Tiguan's dynamic qualities were rewarding, with excellent tire grip and stable handling.

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 rating of 32 miles of all-electric range, 520 miles of total range, 82 MPGe, and 30 mpg combined. Testing showed better numbers, with 33 miles of electric range and over 550 miles of total range. The Pacifica Hybrid defaulted to all-electric mode before switching to hybrid, which was efficient in city driving but less so on highways. The plug-in hybrid model lacked AWD and a towing package, but it handled well due to its lower center of gravity.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a roomy interior, with FWD models featuring a standard third-row seat. However, opting for AWD provided more cargo space, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 73.4 cubic feet behind the front seats. The SEL R-Line trim had comfortable front seats with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The dashboard's touch-sensing controls were a drawback, as they were difficult to use and distracting. The Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space, with generous legroom and a cavernous cargo area.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the FamCam interior camera, allowing parents to monitor children in the second and third rows. The interior included heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, and comfortable second-row seats. 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, and 140.5 cubic feet with everything folded. However, the plug-in hybrid model lacked the Stow ‘n Go seats and built-in vacuum cleaner available in the standard Pacifica.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan came with digital instrumentation, with an 8-inch display on most trims and a 10.25-inch display on the SEL R-Line. The larger display offered a sophisticated appearance and a full-panel navigation map. The infotainment system featured a touchscreen display, with an 8-inch screen on higher trims. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, and a nine-speaker Fender premium sound system. However, the user interface was complex, with multi-layer processes for simple tasks and a voice-recognition system that underperformed.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Uconnect 5, known for its ease of use and crisp graphics. It included 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. The Pacifica Hybrid also offered numerous USB ports, 12-volt outlets, a 115-volt outlet, and wireless charging.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including Front Assist with forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. Side Assist added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The IQ.Drive package, standard on most trims, included adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, Lane Assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. The Tiguan's safety technology was effective and unobtrusive, though its crash-test ratings were incomplete, with concerns about the driver's door unlatching during a side-impact test.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came with standard safety features like blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The forward collision warning system provided both visual and audible alerts. However, features like parallel parking assist required additional packages 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 Marginal grades for seat belt reminders and Average grades for headlights and LATCH ease of use.