2022 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban was a testament to Chevrolet's full-size truck design language, which was introduced with the 2021 model year redesign. Sharing its exterior styling with the Tahoe SUV and Silverado 1500 pickup, the Suburban's tall hood, long proportions, and large wheels gave it a commanding presence on the road. With six available trims, including the LS, LT, RST, Z71, Premier, and High Country, buyers had a range of customization options. The RST trim, in particular, stood out with its Cherry Red Tintcoat exterior, 22-inch wheels, and sporty monochromatic black grille. Inside, the Suburban offered a spacious cabin with varying levels of luxury, from the economically comfortable LS to the plush High Country. The RST trim featured Jet Black perforated leather seats with Victory Red stitching, though the predominantly black interior could feel a bit dark despite the chrome and red accents.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, available in Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle trims, offered a practical and stylish alternative to SUVs. Our test vehicle, the mid-trim Limited with the S Appearance Package, featured body-coloured door handles, gloss black grille accents, and 18-inch wheels. The Pacifica Hybrid's split grille and LED headlamps added a touch of modernity, while the LED tail lamps spanned the rear width. Inside, the Limited trim's dark interior was offset by handsome Nappa leather seats and a sophisticated dash design. The Pacifica Hybrid's interior was comfortable, with heated and cooled front seats and a heated steering wheel. However, the second-row seats were a bit low for taller passengers, and the lack of Stow 'n Go seats in the hybrid model reduced its versatility. Despite these drawbacks, the Pacifica Hybrid remained a practical choice for families, offering ample cargo space and innovative features like the FamCam interior camera.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered a choice of three engines: a 5.3-litre V8, a 6.2-litre V8, and a 3.0-litre turbodiesel inline-six, all paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The base 5.3-litre V8 produced 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, while the 6.2-litre V8 delivered 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. The new 3.0-litre diesel engine offered 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, providing excellent fuel efficiency and towing capability. The Suburban's maximum towing capacity was 3,765 kilograms, with the Max Trailering Package. Our RST test vehicle featured the 6.2-litre V8 and Magnetic Ride Control, offering effortless power and acceleration. The independent rear suspension improved ride quality and increased cargo space, while the 4WD system with multiple settings enhanced off-road capability.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid combined a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine with a 16-kWh battery and two electric motors, offering 260 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque. The Pacifica Hybrid was the only minivan available as a plug-in hybrid, with an all-electric range of 51 kilometres and a total range of 784 kilometres. In our tests, we achieved 53 km of electric range and 885 km of total range. The Pacifica Hybrid's CVT operated smoothly, and the vehicle handled well thanks to its low centre of gravity. However, the Pacifica Hybrid was limited to front-wheel drive and lacked a towing package, reducing its versatility compared to gasoline-only models.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in interior space, offering seating for up to nine occupants with the optional front-row bench seat. Most models provided seven- or eight-passenger seating, with a livable third row for adults. The Suburban boasted 1,175 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 4,097 litres with the second and third rows folded flat. The power-sliding centre console and numerous storage cubbies added to its practicality. However, the Suburban's size made it challenging to maneuver and park in tight spaces, and the switch to electronic push-button transmission controls required some adjustment for long-time GM drivers.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid offered innovative features like the FamCam interior camera, heated and cooled front seats, and a spacious third row. However, the lack of Stow 'n Go seats in the hybrid model reduced its versatility, with cargo space measuring 914 litres behind the third row and expanding to 3,978 litres with all seats folded. The Pacifica Hybrid's interior was comfortable, though taller passengers might find the second-row seats a bit low. The absence of a built-in vacuum cleaner and heated second-row seats in the hybrid model were notable omissions.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban featured a range of technology options, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and Google built-in on LT trims and above. The Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System with an 8-inch touchscreen was standard on the LS, while a 10.2-inch system with Google built-in was standard on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, and wireless device charging were available. The Suburban offered a choice of audio systems, with the Premier and High Country trims featuring a premium Bose 10-speaker Surround system.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running Uconnect 5, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Our tester included the optional rear seat entertainment system, with two 10-inch screens for second-row passengers. The Pacifica Hybrid featured numerous USB ports, 12-volt outlets, and wireless charging, ensuring devices remained charged throughout the journey. However, the rear seat entertainment system's high cost might be difficult to justify for families with existing devices.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban included the Chevy Safety Assist suite, with features like automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a head-up display. The Suburban received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars for side crash protection.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid offered standard safety features like blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included parallel parking assistance and front and rear parking assist. The 2022 Pacifica Hybrid received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, and the IIHS gave it Good marks in most categories.