2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2023 Volvo XC90

Stylistically, Volvo had come a long way from its days of making boxy, utilitarian vehicles. The 2023 XC90 showcased a purposeful yet understated design. Its front end appeared stout and solid without being overly aggressive, and the grille was assertive without being flashy. The recognizable “Thor’s Hammer” headlights added a modern touch that was absent in older Volvo models. The XC90’s dimensions and shape still leaned toward rectilinear, but it no longer resembled a toaster. The Platinum Gray paint with brown undertones added richness and depth, although Volvo’s color palette remained somewhat conservative.

Inside, the XC90’s design was elegant and minimalist. The steering wheel featured two-tone leather and a three-spoke design, while the interior boasted luxurious materials like Nappa leather upholstery and wood deco inlays. The metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers and Orrefors crystal shift knob added a touch of sophistication. The cabin had a clean look with minimal buttons, contributing to a serene driving environment.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, available in Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle trims, featured a mid-trim Limited with the S Appearance Package for this review. This package added body-colored door handles and exterior mirrors, a gloss black grille surround, and black accents. The exterior was completed with 18-inch wheels in a “Foreshadow” finish. The split grille was flanked by standard LED headlamps, and the rear featured LED tail lamps spanning its width. While minivans lacked the cool factor of SUVs, they offered practicality with sliding doors and ample cargo space.

The Limited trim’s interior was dark but sophisticated, with Nappa leather seats and sweeping lines on the dash. The chunky HVAC and audio knobs were user-friendly, though they were easily confused with the transmission selector dial. The interior featured 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 find more legroom in competitors like the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna.

For 2023, Volvo replaced its older turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines (T5 and T6) in the XC90 with new B5 and B6 engines featuring mild-hybrid technology. The B5 engine, with a turbocharger and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, produced 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The B6 engine, equipped with both a supercharger and a turbocharger, delivered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. These mild-hybrid powertrains improved fuel efficiency and smoothness, though the gains were minimal.

The XC90’s driving experience was enjoyable yet reserved. It handled corners well despite its bulky dimensions and accelerated quickly with its eight-speed automatic transmission. Road and wind noise were minimal, thanks to excellent insulation. The brakes provided a solid pedal feel, inspiring confidence. The XC90 lacked extensive customizable driving dynamics, focusing instead on simplicity. During a New Hampshire snowstorm, the XC90 performed admirably, though dedicated winter tires would have provided more confidence.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid combined a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a 16-kWh battery and two small electric motors. It was the only minivan available as a plug-in hybrid, offering 32 miles of all-electric range, 520 miles of total range, 82 MPGe, and 30 mpg combined fuel economy. 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 defaulted to all-electric mode before switching to hybrid mode, which was efficient in city driving but less so on the highway. This setup could be inconvenient for commutes starting on the highway. The Pacifica Hybrid was front-wheel drive only and lacked a spare tire and towing package. Despite these limitations, it offered a pleasant driving experience with 260 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque. The continuously variable automatic transmission operated smoothly, and the lower center of gravity improved handling.

The XC90’s front seats provided a peaceful and pleasant experience, but Scandinavian minimalism led to some storage frustrations. There was limited cubby space for smaller items, and the USB port for phone charging was located in the small center console bin. The second row was comfortable but challenging to adjust, and accessing the third row was difficult with the standard seven-passenger seating. The XC90 offered 12.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row in place, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded, falling short of competitors like the Audi Q7 and Acura MDX.

The Pacifica Hybrid featured the FamCam interior camera, allowing parents to monitor children in the second and third rows. The driver’s seat was comfortable and easily adjustable, with a soft center armrest. The second-row seats were comfortable but low, and the center pathway allowed easy access to the spacious third row. The Pacifica Hybrid lacked the Stow ‘n Go seats due to the battery placement, but it still offered 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 87.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 140.5 cubic feet with all seats folded. However, competitors like the Kia Carnival and Honda Odyssey offered more overall space.

The XC90 featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display running Google OS, the first standard infotainment system with this technology. Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant were standard features, and natural-language recognition enhanced the user experience. However, many key functions were buried within the touchscreen interface, leading to frustration. More physical buttons and redundant controls would have improved usability.

The Pacifica Hybrid came with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running Uconnect 5, known for its ease of use and crisp graphics. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and the ability to connect two phones via Bluetooth were included. The optional rear seat entertainment system added two 10-inch screens for second-row passengers, with games and streaming content from Amazon Fire TV. However, the cost of this feature was high, and most kids already had devices that offered similar functionality. The Pacifica Hybrid also featured numerous USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, a 115-volt outlet, auxiliary ports, and wireless charging.

Volvo’s reputation for safety was well-deserved, with the XC90 carrying a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist technology, which maintained distance from the car ahead and helped keep the vehicle in its lane.

The Pacifica Hybrid offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including 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 both visual and audible alerts, and the adaptive cruise control system operated smoothly. However, features like parallel parking assist and front and rear parking assist required additional packages or the top Pinnacle trim. The 2023 Pacifica Hybrid had not yet been rated by the NHTSA, but the 2022 model received a five-star rating. The IIHS gave it Good marks in most categories, with Marginal grades for seat belt reminders and Average grades for headlights and LATCH ease of use.