2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade stood as Hyundai's flagship SUV, replacing the Santa Fe XL and marking a significant evolution in the brand's design language. It featured a bold and elegant exterior, with distinctive lines and a prominent grille that set it apart from previous Hyundai models. The Palisade's design was both striking and sophisticated, with LED headlights and taillights adding to its modern appeal. Inside, the Palisade offered a near-luxury experience with high-quality materials and finishes. The spacious interior accommodated up to seven passengers comfortably, with options for captain's chairs in the second row. The Ultimate Calligraphy model, in particular, showcased a stunning combination of Steel Graphite paint and a black interior, emphasizing its premium status.

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 door handles and black accents. The minivan's split grille and LED headlamps provided a modern look, while the interior focused on functionality. The Limited trim featured a dark interior with Nappa leather seats and a sophisticated dashboard design. The Pacifica Hybrid's interior was equipped with practical features like heated and cooled front seats and a heated steering wheel, making it a comfortable choice for families. However, the interior's dark theme might not appeal to everyone, and the transmission selector dial's proximity to other controls could be confusing.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a naturally aspirated 3.8-litre V6 engine, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine choice was somewhat of a throwback in an era of turbocharged engines, but it provided a smooth and responsive driving experience with no turbo lag. The Palisade's fuel economy was estimated at 12.3 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 9.6 on the highway, and 11.1 combined, which was not the most efficient in its class. However, the Palisade's towing capacity of up to 2,267 kilograms with trailer brakes made it a versatile choice for families with towing needs. The SUV's handling was commendable, thanks to its four-wheel independent suspension and stabilizer bars.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid combined a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine with a 16-kWh battery and two electric motors, making it the only plug-in hybrid minivan available. It offered an all-electric range of 51 kilometres and a total range of 784 kilometres, with a combined fuel economy of 2.9 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres. In real-world testing, the Pacifica Hybrid exceeded these estimates, achieving 53 kilometres of electric range and 885 kilometres of total range. The minivan's electric power delivery was designed to prioritize all-electric mode first, which worked well in city driving but depleted quickly on the highway. The Pacifica Hybrid's 260 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque provided adequate performance for highway passing, while the continuously variable transmission ensured smooth operation. However, the hybrid model was limited to front-wheel drive and lacked towing capabilities.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade offered a spacious and versatile interior, with comfortable seating for up to seven passengers. The third row provided easy access and ample space for children, while the second-row captain's chairs were exceptionally comfortable. The Palisade's cargo space was impressive, with 509 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,297 litres with the third row folded, and a cavernous 2,447 litres with both the second and third rows folded flat. The SUV also featured a compact shift-by-wire gear selector, which saved space and was easy to use. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim added luxury features like a dual-panel sunroof, ventilated seats, and premium Nappa leather upholstery.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid prioritized family-friendly features, such as the available FamCam interior camera, which allowed parents to monitor children in the rear seats. The minivan's interior was equipped with heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, and comfortable second-row seating. However, the second-row seats were not as versatile as the standard Pacifica's Stow 'n Go seats due to the hybrid battery placement. Cargo space remained generous, with 914 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,477 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 3,978 litres with all seats folded. Despite this, the Pacifica Hybrid lacked some features available in the standard model, such as a built-in vacuum cleaner and heated second-row seats.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased Hyundai's technological prowess with a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, a 630-watt Harman Kardon premium audio system, and Clari-Fi music restoration technology. The infotainment system included wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, HD Radio, and satellite radio. The Palisade also featured multiple USB ports, a Qi wireless charging pad, and a 115-volt power outlet. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim added a head-up display and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with turn signal and blind-spot monitor integration. Hyundai's Blue Link connected car system provided remote engine start and vehicle monitoring capabilities.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came equipped with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running Uconnect 5, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The system was user-friendly and featured crisp graphics. The optional rear seat entertainment system added two 10-inch screens for second-row passengers, with streaming capabilities through Amazon Fire TV. The Pacifica Hybrid included numerous USB ports, both USB-A and USB-C, as well as 12-volt outlets, a 115-volt outlet, and wireless charging. The infotainment system's ability to connect two phones via Bluetooth was a convenient feature for families.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade boasted a comprehensive suite of safety features, including seven airbags, anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Advanced driver assistance features included blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance, forward collision-avoidance with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Palisade earned top safety ratings, including a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid offered a range of standard safety features, such as 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 delivered smooth braking and acceleration. However, some features, like parallel parking assist, required additional packages or the top Hybrid Pinnacle trim. The 2022 Pacifica received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and Good marks from the IIHS, with some areas for improvement.