2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2022 Mazda CX-30

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, despite its minivan label, offered a unique proposition in the automotive market. It was a plug-in hybrid with three rows of seating, a rarity among mainstream brands. While it didn't boast the rugged appeal of an SUV, it provided practical features like sliding side doors, making it convenient for families. The Pacifica Hybrid's design, both inside and out, was more rounded and flowing, which some might have found dated compared to the sharper, more architectural styles gaining popularity. Despite its high price tag, the Pacifica Hybrid's interior was comfortable, with quality materials like black Nappa leather, though it didn't attempt to disguise its minivan identity.

In contrast, the 2022 Mazda CX-30 was a subcompact SUV that exuded style and sophistication. It shared its platform with the Mazda3, essentially serving as a raised-up version of the hatchback. The CX-30's design featured an upright grille and smooth, flowing fenders, giving it a sporty appearance. Inside, the cabin was comfortable and quiet, with a well-designed interior that combined conventional and digital displays. However, the infotainment system, controlled by a rotary dial, had a steep learning curve, which could be frustrating for users accustomed to touchscreens. The CX-30's trim levels offered a range of features, from the basic GX to the more luxurious GT, which included options like a turbocharged engine and advanced visibility features.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid was equipped with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain based on a 3.6-litre V6 engine paired with a dual-motor electric drive system. This setup delivered a total system output of 260 horsepower, providing ample power even when fully loaded. The Pacifica Hybrid could travel up to 51 kilometres on electric power alone, making it ideal for short commutes and errands. The regenerative braking system helped recharge the battery, and the transition between electric and gasoline power was seamless. However, the driving experience was somewhat uninspiring, with light steering and unremarkable regenerative brakes. Despite this, the Pacifica Hybrid's powertrain was praised for its efficiency and smooth operation.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered a range of engine options, with the base GX featuring a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 155 horsepower. The GS and GT trims came with a 2.5-litre engine delivering 186 horsepower, while the GT could be equipped with a turbocharged version producing up to 250 horsepower on premium fuel. The CX-30's turbocharged engine provided lively acceleration, especially in Sport mode, which enhanced throttle response and shift mapping. The CX-30's ride was sporty and refined, with well-weighted steering and minimal body roll in corners. However, the suspension could be harsh on rough roads, transmitting bumps and imperfections to the cabin.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in comfort and utility, offering three comfortable rows of seats and ample cargo space. With the third-row seats in place, it provided 914 litres of cargo space, which expanded to 2,477 litres with the seats folded. Removing the second-row seats increased the cargo capacity to 3,978 litres. The Pacifica Hybrid featured triple-zone automatic climate control, quality leather upholstery, and a range of storage solutions, including a large floor tray and a long storage bin behind the centre console. However, the second-row seats were not as easily stowable as in the standard Pacifica, requiring manual removal for maximum cargo space.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered up to 1,280 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 572 litres with the seats in use. The GT trim included a power rear liftgate for added convenience. The front seats featured a sliding centre console cover, though it could get stuck when the rear seats were folded. The rear seats provided adequate headroom for short-to-medium trips, though they lacked the spaciousness of larger models like the CX-5. Overall, the CX-30's interior was well-designed, with deep pockets in the front doors for large water bottles and ample space for personal items.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio, and the FamCam overhead camera system for monitoring rear-seat passengers. The system allowed for five user profiles and had a simple interface, though the voice recognition technology was inconsistent. The Pacifica Hybrid also offered a 20-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, though it required adjustments for optimal sound quality. The rear-seat entertainment system included Amazon Fire TV, but it was deemed unnecessary by some users who preferred personal devices.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30's infotainment system was controlled by a rotary dial and toggle buttons, with no touch functionality. This setup was inspired by luxury-car systems but was criticized for its usability, especially when navigating Apple CarPlay. The system required a learning curve, and switching between presets could be frustrating. Despite this, the CX-30's dash design was elegant, with the infotainment screen integrated into the dash for a clean look. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though operating them with the rotary dial was challenging.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid boasted a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including a rear-seat reminder system. It offered adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-keeping assist, though the adaptive cruise control needed 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.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered a range of driver-assistance features, though many were not standard in Canada. Available features included forward collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The CX-30's test model featured adaptive front headlights and a 360-degree parking camera. It earned a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with top marks in all crash tests and a "Superior" rating for its driver-assistance technology.