2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was a minivan that offered practicality and style, making it a popular choice for families. Its design featured kinked sliding doors and dramatic hockey-stick character lines, giving it a unique appearance. The Touring trim level, which was tested, came with dark grey 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, adding to its aesthetic appeal. Inside, the Odyssey provided a classic open-concept minivan design with quality leather upholstery and a well-organized centre stack. The expansive view through the massive windshield and small front quarter windows enhanced the driving experience, making it a comfortable and stylish option for those who embraced the minivan lifestyle.

In contrast, the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid was not known for its looks, even with the S Appearance Package. However, it offered a unique plug-in hybrid option, making it a standout in the minivan market. The Pacifica Hybrid's interior featured black Nappa premium leather, providing a sense of quality, though its rounded styling appeared somewhat dated. Despite this, the Pacifica Hybrid excelled in offering a practical and efficient package for transporting up to seven people, with the added benefit of an electric-only driving range. While it may not have been the most visually appealing option, its functionality and efficiency made it a compelling choice for those prioritizing practicality over style.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It featured a front-wheel-drive system paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. While it lacked all-wheel drive and an electrified powertrain, the Odyssey offered a Natural Resources Canada fuel consumption estimate of 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. During testing, the Odyssey averaged 10.4 L/100 km, showcasing its efficiency. However, repeated use of the brakes on downhill grades led to pedal vibration and audible grumbling, highlighting a need for improved brake performance. Despite this, the Odyssey remained enjoyable to drive, offering quick acceleration and responsive handling.

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. With a total system output of 260 horsepower, the Pacifica Hybrid 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 contributed to an average fuel economy of 6.3 litres per 100 kilometres. While the Pacifica Hybrid's driving experience was not particularly exciting, its powertrain impressed with its seamless transition between electric and gasoline modes, offering a smooth and efficient ride.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. Inside, it featured quality leather upholstery, supportive front seats, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. The Odyssey excelled in storage space, with numerous compartments and a handy floor tray. The Magic Slide second-row seats provided flexibility for child seating and access to the third row. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the Odyssey offered 929 litres of cargo space behind it. Folding the third-row seat expanded cargo capacity to 2,452 litres, and removing the second-row seats created a massive 3,984 litres of space.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid prioritized comfort and utility, offering triple-zone automatic climate control, quality leather upholstery, and heated and ventilated front seats. Storage options were abundant, with extra shelves 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 third-row seat provided reasonable comfort, and the Pacifica Hybrid offered 914 litres of cargo space behind it. Folding the third-row seats expanded cargo capacity to 2,477 litres, and removing the second-row seats created a substantial 3,978 litres of space.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Touring was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display, offering satellite radio, Bluetooth, and smartphone connectivity. It featured CabinWatch and CabinTalk technology, allowing the driver to monitor and communicate with rear passengers. The rear entertainment system included a 10.2-inch display, though it was considered outdated. The Odyssey's infotainment system was user-friendly but lacked modern features, and its navigation system required specific voice commands. Overall, the Odyssey's technology package was underwhelming and in need of an upgrade.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display. It offered wireless smartphone connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio, and the FamCam overhead camera system. While the voice recognition technology had room for improvement, the system's user interface was intuitive. The Pacifica Hybrid also offered a 20-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and an available rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV. The surround-view camera system and parking assist features added convenience, though the latter was not a substitute for driving skills.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came equipped with Honda Sensing, a comprehensive suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. While effective, Honda Sensing lacked refinement, occasionally issuing invalid warnings or taking abrupt actions. The Odyssey earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, highlighting its strong safety performance.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid boasted an extensive list of standard safety features, including a rear-seat reminder system. While it lacked adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist, it offered adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-keeping assist. The Pacifica Hybrid 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.