2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E

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 its design didn't attempt to disguise its minivan roots, it provided practical features like sliding side doors, which were particularly useful in tight parking spaces. The Pacifica Hybrid's interior, though comfortable with premium leather, felt somewhat dated compared to more modern, angular designs. Despite its high price point, the Pacifica Hybrid was a compelling choice for those seeking a family-friendly vehicle with electric driving capabilities.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E embraced a bold design, merging Mustang styling cues with a five-door crossover SUV format. This electric vehicle gained popularity due to its visual ties to the iconic pony car. The Mach-E's design featured galloping horse emblems, scowling headlights, and tri-bar taillights, which contributed to its appeal. Inside, the Mach-E GT exuded luxury with its artificial leather and synthetic suede seats, copper stitching, and high-tech ambiance. The Mach-E successfully blended style, quality, and technology, making it a strong contender in the EV market.

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, delivering a total of 260 horsepower. The electric drive system provided immediate torque, ensuring 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 and errands. The regenerative braking system helped extend the range, and the transition between electric and gasoline power was seamless. However, the Pacifica Hybrid's driving experience was unremarkable, with light steering and a lack of cornering grip.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E offered a range of powertrain options, with the GT Performance Edition boasting an extended-range battery and AWD, producing 480 horsepower and 634 lb-ft of torque. It accelerated to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds, with a driving range of 418 kilometres. The Mach-E featured various driving modes, including Whisper, Engage, and Unbridled, with the GT offering an exclusive Unbridled Extend mode for track use. While the steering lacked the sharpness expected from a performance vehicle, the Mach-E's overall driving dynamics were impressive. The ride quality was firm, but the Mach-E excelled in efficiency, achieving better-than-expected energy consumption.

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. The Pacifica Hybrid's interior was well-designed, with numerous storage options and a spacious second row. However, maximizing cargo space required removing the heavy second-row seats. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the Pacifica Hybrid provided 914 litres of cargo space behind it, expanding to 2,477 litres with the third row folded.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E, with its crossover SUV configuration, offered seating for up to five people and 965 litres of cargo space, including a sizable front trunk. The Mach-E GT Performance Edition featured performance seats with unique upholstery and a stylish centre console with ample storage. The rear seat was snug but supportive, accommodating up to three passengers. The Mach-E's cargo space expanded to 1,691 litres with the rear seats folded, and its frunk added an additional 133 litres of storage. The panoramic glass roof enhanced the interior's airy feel.

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, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a FamCam overhead camera system. The system allowed for multiple user profiles and simultaneous Bluetooth pairing. However, the voice recognition technology was inconsistent. The Pacifica Hybrid also had a 20-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, though its default settings required adjustment for optimal sound quality. The rear-seat entertainment system, while available, was often bypassed by passengers using personal devices.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E boasted a 15.5-inch touchscreen running on the Sync 4A infotainment platform. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, FordPass Connect services, and a navigation system. Sync 4A learned user habits and offered predictive suggestions. The system was user-friendly, though it lacked a radio tuning knob and a dedicated driving mode button. The Mach-E's Bang & Olufsen sound system delivered excellent audio quality, and the digital instrumentation display provided essential driving information. The Mach-E also featured Phone As A Key technology, allowing smartphone-based vehicle access.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid claimed to offer more standard safety features than any other vehicle in the industry. It included a rear-seat reminder system and a comprehensive package of driver-assist and collision-avoidance features. However, adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist was not available. The Pacifica earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though its frontal-impact protection received four stars.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0, which included adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. The latest BlueCruise hands-free highway driving system was also available. BlueCruise 1.2 added features like lane-change and predictive speed assist. While BlueCruise performed well, it required constant monitoring. The Mach-E received top safety marks from the IIHS and was a Top Safety Pick for 2022 and 2023. NHTSA ratings for the 2023 model were pending, but the Mach-E had previously received high marks for side-impact protection and rollover resistance.