2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2023 Volkswagen Taos

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, a rarity among mainstream brands. While its design didn't win any beauty contests, even with the S Appearance Package, it was functional and practical. The Pacifica Hybrid's interior, adorned with black Nappa premium leather, exuded a sense of quality, though its styling appeared somewhat dated compared to more modern, angular designs. The vehicle's price tag was steep, starting at $55,995 for the base model, but federal and provincial EV rebates helped soften the financial blow.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen Taos was designed for global appeal, offering a stylish and sporty look. The Highline trim, with its bold 19-inch alloy wheels and Cornflower Blue paint, gave it an upscale appearance. Inside, the Taos Highline resembled a budget-friendly Audi, with light grey accents, gloss black trim, and leather seats. It was one of the roomiest subcompact SUVs available, nearly matching the larger Tiguan in interior space. The Taos was priced between $26,995 and $37,695, making it a more affordable option in the small SUV segment.

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, 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. The regenerative braking system helped recharge the battery, contributing to an impressive average fuel economy of 6.3 litres per 100 kilometres. However, the driving experience was unremarkable, with light steering, grabby brakes, and limited cornering grip.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos, powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, produced 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission for FWD models and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic for AWD models. The Taos offered up to five driving modes, but the powertrain response was unpredictable, with occasional surges of torque and transmission hesitations. Despite its sporty character, the Taos lacked power compared to rivals like the Mazda CX-30 and Hyundai Kona N. The AWD model averaged 8.8 litres per 100 kilometres, slightly above the official rating.

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 plentiful, with extra shelves, bins, and a large floor tray. The second-row seats were more comfortable than the standard Pacifica's Stow n' Go chairs, though they required removal for maximum cargo space. The Pacifica Hybrid provided 914 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,477 litres with the third row folded and 3,978 litres with the second row removed.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos offered a spacious interior, with Trendline trim featuring cloth seats, Comfortline trim with CloudTex upholstery, and Highline trim with real leather. Cold-weather features were standard, including heated seats and a heated steering wheel. The Taos felt larger inside than its competitors, with ample rear-seat room and comfort. Storage space was generous, with deep wells in the cargo area. The Taos provided 790 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 1,866 litres with the rear seat folded down, though AWD models had slightly reduced capacity.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid was equipped with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, featuring a 10.1-inch touchscreen with appealing graphics and a user-friendly interface. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with SiriusXM satellite radio. The available FamCam overhead camera system was a valuable feature for parents. However, the voice recognition technology was inconsistent. The Pacifica also offered a 20-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, though it required adjustments for optimal sound quality. The rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV was available but not essential for tech-savvy passengers.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos came with standard digital instrumentation, with the Highline trim featuring a 10.25-inch display. Infotainment systems ranged from basic to fully featured, with the Highline offering an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an eight-speaker Beats Audio system. However, the user experience was marred by hidden virtual controls, a cumbersome radio tuning process, and ineffective voice recognition technology. Pairing a smartphone and using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto was recommended for a smoother experience.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid boasted an extensive list 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 2023 Volkswagen Taos improved its safety features, with standard Front Assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Comfortline trim added Lane Assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. Travel Assist performed well, maintaining proper distance and speed. The Taos received decent crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, though they were not perfect.