2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox underwent several styling changes, including a new grille, LED headlights, and LED daytime running lights, along with subtle modifications to the rear fascia. The headlights were bisected by trim pieces extending from the grille, giving it a sleeker appearance. The grille appeared more upright and was flanked by large fake air intakes, making the Equinox look chunkier than its predecessor. Unlike the rugged styling of the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4, the Equinox maintained its car-based crossover identity, offering a tall roofline and puffed-up front fascia that made it less car-like than the Ford Escape. Inside, the dashboard featured a creative design with a touchscreen and two large air vents at the centre, and materials and fit and finish were decent for the price. The new RS model added black exterior trim, darkened 19-inch wheels, and a black interior with red stitching, although the interior was considered too subdued.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, despite being a minivan, offered a unique proposition with its plug-in hybrid drivetrain. It wasn't a standout in terms of looks, even with the S Appearance Package, and came with a hefty price tag. The Pacifica Hybrid Limited test vehicle included extra-cost paint, the S Appearance Package, and a Uconnect Theater rear-seat entertainment system, bringing the MSRP to $64,960, including the destination charge. The interior featured black Nappa premium leather, but the styling appeared soft and dated compared to more modern designs. However, the Pacifica Hybrid's practicality and efficiency were unmatched, offering a plug-in hybrid option in a segment where such choices were limited. The vehicle's electric-only driving range and the ability to recharge using a standard household outlet added to its appeal for those prioritizing efficiency.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox was equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. It came with a six-speed automatic transmission and offered standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. While the Equinox had more torque than most rivals, it lagged in horsepower. The engine's torque was appreciated in stop-and-go driving, but at higher speeds, the lack of horsepower became evident, with the engine feeling coarse and unresponsive. The automatic transmission's shifts were also noted to be rough. Despite its RS trim, the Equinox wasn't designed for sporty handling, lacking the refinement of competitors like the Honda CR-V.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured a plug-in hybrid drivetrain based on a 3.6-litre V6 engine paired with a dual-motor electric drive system, producing a total of 260 horsepower. The electric drive system's torque was immediately available, and the Pacifica never felt underpowered, even when fully loaded. It could travel up to 51 kilometres on electric power alone, making it ideal for short commutes. The regenerative braking system helped capture energy and feed it back to the battery, contributing to an average fuel economy of 6.3 litres per 100 kilometres. The Pacifica Hybrid's powertrain was praised for its seamless transition between electric and gasoline modes, although the driving experience was considered dull, with light steering and unremarkable regenerative brakes.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox offered seating for five across two rows, with decent headroom and good second-row legroom. However, front seat legroom was somewhat lacking, and the absence of a telescoping steering wheel made finding a comfortable driving position challenging. The Equinox provided a tall seating position and an unobstructed forward view, although rear visibility was hampered by a small rear window. Cargo space was near the bottom of the segment, with 847 litres with the rear seats up and 1,809 litres with them folded. A power liftgate was available, but the Equinox lacked features like a sliding second-row seat or cargo-area storage bins.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in comfort and utility, offering three comfortable rows of seats and ample cargo space. It featured triple-zone automatic climate control, quality leather upholstery, and heated and ventilated front seats. Storage options were impressive, with extra shelves, a large floor tray, and a long storage bin behind the centre console. The second-row seats were more comfortable than those in a standard Pacifica, and the third-row seat was reasonably comfortable for adults. The Pacifica Hybrid provided 914 litres of cargo space behind the third row, which could be expanded to 2,477 litres by folding the third-row seats. Removing the second-row seats increased cargo capacity to 3,978 litres, surpassing that of a Chevy Tahoe.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trim levels offered an 8-inch touchscreen and a Bose 7-speaker audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large menu icons and good screen graphics. The addition of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a significant advantage, although the centre-console slot for phones was too small.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid was equipped with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, featuring a 10.1-inch touchscreen display with appealing graphics and a simple user interface. It allowed for simultaneous Bluetooth pairing, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The available FamCam overhead camera system was a useful feature for parents. The Pacifica Hybrid also offered a 20-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, although sound quality required adjustment. The rear-seat entertainment system included Amazon Fire TV, allowing for streaming and gaming. A surround-view camera system and parking assist were also available, enhancing convenience and safety.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests but was rated "Marginal" in the updated side crash test. It earned a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle situations and an "Advanced" rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian scenarios. The NHTSA awarded the Equinox a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and Chevy's Teen Driver system. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid boasted a comprehensive package of standard safety features, including a rear-seat reminder system. It offered adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-keeping assist, although the adaptive cruise control required refinement. The Pacifica earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rating for frontal-impact protection.