2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2022 Ford Bronco

The 2022 Ford Bronco captivated enthusiasts with its retro styling and robust off-road capabilities. It offered a wide range of trims, including the new Everglades and Bronco Raptor models, which were designed for extreme terrains like swamps and deep water. The Bronco's design was unapologetically utilitarian, featuring large recovery hooks, removable fender flares, and a modular construction that allowed for easy customization. Inside, the Bronco maintained its rugged theme with features like sealed switches, marine-grade vinyl upholstery, and drain plugs, making it easy to clean after off-road adventures. Despite its ruggedness, the Bronco was equipped with advanced technology, including G.O.A.T. modes, a digital instrument panel, and a comprehensive camera system, making it a versatile choice for both off-road and urban environments.

In contrast, the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid presented a more practical and family-oriented design. Available in Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle trims, the Pacifica Hybrid Limited with the S Appearance Package added a touch of style with body-coloured accents and black badging. The minivan featured a split grille with LED headlamps and tail lamps, offering a sophisticated look. Inside, the Pacifica Hybrid provided a comfortable and adjustable driver's seat, heated and cooled front seats, and a spacious interior with a centre pathway for easy access to the third row. However, the plug-in hybrid model lacked some features available in the gasoline-only version, such as all-wheel drive and the built-in vacuum cleaner. Despite these limitations, the Pacifica Hybrid remained a practical choice for families, offering ample cargo space and innovative features like the FamCam interior camera.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, and an optional EcoBoost 2.7-litre V6 engine delivering 330 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The Bronco's seven-speed manual transmission, available with the four-cylinder engine, featured a crawl gear for low-speed driving, while a 10-speed automatic was standard for the V6 and four-door models. All Broncos came with four-wheel drive and an electronic two-speed transfer case, ensuring impressive off-road capabilities. The Bronco excelled in challenging terrains, with models like the Everglades demonstrating exceptional performance in deep water crossings and steep rock climbs. On pavement, the Bronco offered a smoother ride and better handling than its rival, the Jeep Wrangler, making it a versatile choice for both off-road and highway driving.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid combined a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine with a 16-kWh battery and two electric motors, offering a unique plug-in hybrid option in the minivan segment. Official ratings from Natural Resources Canada indicated 51 kilometres of all-electric range and a total range of 784 kilometres. However, real-world testing showed slightly better results, with 53 kilometres of electric range and 885 kilometres of total range. The Pacifica Hybrid's electric power delivery defaulted to all-electric mode first, which was efficient for city driving but less so for highway commutes. The hybrid model offered 260 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque, providing sufficient power for highway passing. The continuously variable transmission operated smoothly, and the battery's placement in the floor improved handling. However, the Pacifica Hybrid lacked all-wheel drive and towing capabilities, which were available in the gasoline-only version.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's iconic squared-off styling contributed to its spacious interior, offering ample headroom and legroom for passengers. The two-door model required some effort to access the rear seats, but the four-door version provided easier access. Cargo capacity varied depending on the model and roof type, with the two-door hard top offering up to 634 litres behind the rear seats and 1,481 litres with the seats folded. The four-door hard top increased capacity to 1,008 litres and 2,197 litres, respectively. The Bronco featured clever storage solutions, including a large armrest bin, netted door pockets, and accessory rails atop the dash. External hard mounting points and removable fender flares added to its utility, making it a practical choice for outdoor enthusiasts.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid offered a family-friendly interior with features like the FamCam interior camera, heated and cooled front seats, and a spacious third row. The second-row seats were comfortable but lacked the flat-fold Stow 'n Go feature due to the battery placement. Cargo space remained generous, with 914 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,477 litres with the seats folded, and a total of 3,978 litres with everything folded. However, the Pacifica Hybrid's cargo space was slightly less than competitors like the Kia Carnival and Honda Odyssey. The absence of features like the built-in vacuum cleaner and heated second-row seats in the hybrid model limited its versatility compared to the standard Pacifica.

The 2022 Ford Bronco integrated technology to enhance its off-road capabilities while keeping the driver engaged. The G.O.A.T. modes provided off-road confidence for novice drivers, while seasoned off-roaders could manually select their preferred setups. The forward-looking trail camera and Trail Turn Assist feature improved maneuverability in challenging terrains. The Bronco's Sync 4 infotainment system offered quick responses, sharp graphics, and helpful off-road apps. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Bluetooth connectivity, were standard, complementing the available wireless charging pad.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen running Uconnect 5, known for its ease of use and crisp graphics. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity were standard, along with the ability to connect two phones via Bluetooth. The optional rear seat entertainment system added two 10-inch screens for second-row passengers, offering apps and games for long road trips. However, the additional cost for this feature was questionable, given the prevalence of personal devices. The Pacifica Hybrid provided ample charging options, including USB ports, 12-volt outlets, a 115-volt outlet, and wireless charging, ensuring devices remained powered throughout the journey.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered standard safety features like hill-start assist, hill descent control, and trailer sway control. Optional packages added features such as frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Bronco received mixed safety ratings, with a four-out-of-five-star rating for frontal crash protection and a three-out-of-five-star rating for rollover protection from the NHTSA. The IIHS awarded it "Good" scores in most categories, with an "Acceptable" rating for head restraints and seats.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The forward collision warning system provided both visual and audible alerts, while the adaptive cruise control system offered smooth braking and acceleration. Additional features like parallel parking assist required optional packages or the top Hybrid Pinnacle trim. The 2022 Pacifica received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, and the IIHS awarded it "Good" marks in most categories, with some areas for improvement in seat belt reminders and headlights.