2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, despite its minivan label, offered a unique proposition in the automotive market. It was a plug-in hybrid minivan, a rarity among mainstream brands, providing a practical solution for families needing efficient transportation. The Pacifica Hybrid was not designed to hide its minivan identity, unlike some SUVs that tried to mask their similarities with minivans. Its exterior, even with the S Appearance Package, was not particularly striking, and its price point was on the higher side, starting at $55,995 for the base model. The interior, while comfortable with black Nappa leather, felt somewhat dated compared to more modern designs. However, the Pacifica Hybrid's practicality and efficiency, especially with the federal EV rebate, made it a compelling choice for those prioritizing functionality over style.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan maintained a more traditional SUV appearance, appealing to those who preferred a sportier and more rugged look. The Tiguan was available in several trims, with the R-Line versions offering a sportier design. Despite the variety of exterior and interior options, choices were limited by trim level, which could be frustrating for some buyers. The Tiguan's interior was upscale, with quality materials and a range of features, including a panoramic sunroof and digital instrumentation. Its design was conservative yet aging gracefully, and it provided a solid feel on the road. The Tiguan's pricing ranged from $36,675 to $47,175, making it a more affordable option compared to the Pacifica Hybrid.

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, producing 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 electric range, and the transition between electric and gasoline power was seamless. However, the Pacifica Hybrid's driving experience was not particularly engaging, with light steering and unremarkable regenerative brakes. Despite this, the powertrain's efficiency and smooth operation were impressive, offering an average fuel economy of 6.3 litres per 100 kilometres.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. It came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and VW's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system, standard in Canada. The Tiguan offered various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, and Sport, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience. While the Tiguan's powertrain was not the most powerful in its class, it provided adequate performance for everyday driving. The Tiguan's dynamic qualities were commendable, with excellent tire grip and stable handling. However, the automatic transmission occasionally stumbled, and turbo lag was noticeable from a stop. Despite these quirks, the Tiguan's ride quality was comfortable, and its steering was light and lively, making it enjoyable to drive.

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 solutions were abundant, with various bins and trays throughout the cabin. The second-row seats were more comfortable than the standard Pacifica's Stow n' Go seats, though they required removal to maximize cargo space. The third-row seat was reasonably comfortable, and the Pacifica Hybrid provided 914 litres of cargo space behind it. With the third-row seats folded, cargo capacity increased to 2,477 litres, and removing the second-row seats expanded it to 3,978 litres, surpassing many SUVs.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a spacious interior with comfortable front seats featuring power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. However, the dashboard's touch-sensing controls were not user-friendly, detracting from the overall experience. The Tiguan's rear seat was roomy, with generous legroom and headroom, and the cargo area was cavernous, accommodating full-size suitcases. With AWD, the Tiguan provided 1,064 litres of cargo space behind the second row and 2,078 litres with the rear seats folded, comparable to some midsize SUVs. The Tiguan's hands-free power liftgate and adjustable load floor added to its practicality.

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 the FamCam overhead camera system. The system was user-friendly, though the voice recognition technology was inconsistent. The optional 20-speaker Harman Kardon sound system required adjustments for optimal sound quality. The Pacifica also offered Amazon Fire TV for rear-seat entertainment, though it was not widely used by passengers in our test.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan came with digital instrumentation, with R-Line trims featuring a larger 10.25-inch display. The infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a nine-speaker Fender premium sound system. However, the system's user interface was complex, with multi-layer processes for simple tasks. The voice-recognition system was also lacking, often failing to connect. Despite these issues, the Tiguan's technology offerings were comprehensive, providing a range of features for connectivity and entertainment.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid boasted a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including a rear-seat reminder system. It earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. However, the adaptive cruise control system required refinement, as it was slow to react in certain situations.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in safety features, offering tech often found in luxury models. Standard features included Front Assist and Side Assist, with the IQ.Drive package adding adaptive cruise control, Lane Assist, and Emergency Assist. The Tiguan's safety technology was effective and unobtrusive, though its crash-test ratings were incomplete at the time of review. The IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick+ rating for 2022, but this did not apply to 2023.