2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe was a testament to Jeep's commitment to its iconic design heritage. The vehicle featured the brand's signature seven-slot grille, now enhanced with active shutters for improved aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. This design element, combined with a forward rake reminiscent of the classic Wagoneer, seamlessly blended the past with the present. The Grand Cherokee 4xe was available only as a two-row, five-passenger SUV, with trim levels including the base 4xe, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve. The Overland trim, which we tested, boasted a silver exterior with a contrasting black roof and 20-inch wheels, along with signature surf blue tow hooks and blue accents on trail-rated trims.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee 4xe offered a comfortable and upscale feel, even in its base trim. The Overland trim, positioned three levels from the top, featured leather seats, wood and metal accents, heated and ventilated front seats, and bronze contrast stitching. However, the interior was not without its drawbacks, as hard plastic materials were prevalent, particularly below the hip point. Gloss black surfaces, while visually appealing, were prone to fingerprints and glare. Despite these minor issues, the Grand Cherokee 4xe provided a refined and comfortable driving experience.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, available in Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle trims, offered a practical and stylish option for families. Our test vehicle, the mid-trim Limited with the S Appearance Package, featured body-coloured door handles and mirrors, a gloss black grille surround, and black badging. The exterior was completed with 18-inch wheels in a "Foreshadow" finish. The Pacifica Hybrid's split grille was flanked by standard LED headlamps, and the rear boasted LED tail lamps spanning its width. While minivans may not have the same allure as SUVs, the Pacifica Hybrid provided practicality with its sliding doors and ample cargo space.

Inside, the Limited trim's interior was predominantly black, with Nappa leather seats and a sophisticated dash design. The chunky HVAC and audio knobs were a nice touch, though their proximity to the transmission selector dial could cause confusion. The Pacifica Hybrid's interior was comfortable, with heated and cooled front seats and a heated steering wheel. The second-row seats, while comfortable, were a bit low for taller passengers. The third row offered enough space for adults, though competitors like the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna provided slightly more legroom. The Pacifica Hybrid's cargo space was generous, with 914 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,477 litres with the seats folded.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe was notable for its plug-in hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.0-litre turbo inline four-cylinder engine with a 400-volt, 17-kWh battery pack. This setup delivered an impressive 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, surpassing the output of Jeep's 5.7-litre V8 engine. The Grand Cherokee 4xe featured a standard four-wheel drive system, managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission with a high-voltage motor-generator. It boasted a total driving range of 719 kilometres, with a fuel economy rating of 4.2 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres under ideal conditions. The battery provided 42 kilometres of all-electric driving range, and the vehicle featured an electronic front-axle disconnect to save fuel. The Grand Cherokee 4xe also offered E Select powertrain modes, including Hybrid, Electric, and eSave, as well as regenerative braking with a Max Regen setting. Off-road capabilities were enhanced by two 4x4 systems, Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II, and the Select-Terrain traction system. However, the 4xe's towing capacity was limited to 2,721 kilograms.

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. Official ratings from Natural Resources Canada included 51 kilometres of all-electric range, 784 kilometres of total range, and a fuel economy of 2.9 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres. In our tests, we achieved 53 kilometres of electric range and 885 kilometres of total range. The Pacifica Hybrid's battery could be charged in two hours using a Level 2 home charger, while a standard outlet required 14 hours. The vehicle defaulted to all-electric mode before switching to hybrid operation, which was efficient in city driving but less so on highways. The Pacifica Hybrid was front-wheel drive only and lacked a spare tire and towing package. It offered 260 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque, with a smooth continuously variable transmission. The battery's placement in the floor improved handling, but the Pacifica Hybrid's acceleration was not as brisk as the non-hybrid model.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, unlike its gas-powered counterpart, was not available as an L model with a third row of seats. However, it offered ample space for passengers in its existing seats. Folding the second row expanded cargo space from 1,067 litres to 2,004 litres, providing incremental improvements over the previous generation. The Grand Cherokee 4xe was a comfortable and capable family vehicle, with no issues regarding head or legroom. The available air suspension allowed for quick height adjustments, making loading and unloading easier. The vehicle's standard heated steering wheel was a welcome feature for colder climates.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the FamCam interior camera, allowing parents to monitor children in the second and third rows. The camera included a view of rear-facing child seats and a zoom function. Our test vehicle had heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a comfortable driver's seat. The second-row seats were comfortable but low, while the third row offered enough space for adults. The Pacifica Hybrid's cargo space was generous, with 914 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,477 litres with the seats folded. However, the plug-in hybrid model lacked the Stow 'n Go seats and built-in vacuum cleaner available in the standard Pacifica.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, an Android-powered interface with customization options. The My Pages feature allowed for personalized screen layouts, enhancing the user experience. The Grand Cherokee 4xe included a standard 10.1-inch touchscreen front-passenger display, a 10.25-inch digital driver information display, and a customizable gauge cluster. A wireless charging pad and four USB ports were standard, while optional dual rear-seat entertainment screens offered Amazon Fire TV for Auto. The 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, available on the Overland trim and above, provided exceptional audio quality.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came with 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 included, along with the ability to connect two phones via Bluetooth. Our test vehicle featured an optional rear seat entertainment system with two 10-inch screens, offering apps, games, and Amazon Fire TV streaming. The Pacifica Hybrid had numerous USB ports, 12-volt outlets, a 115-volt outlet, auxiliary ports, and wireless charging, ensuring devices remained charged throughout the cabin.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe offered a range of standard and optional advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Standard features included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and Intersection Assist collision mitigation. Rear parking sensors were also standard. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available starting at the Overland trim, while a 360-degree surround-view camera was standard on all trims except the Trailhawk. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee an overall five-star safety rating.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid included numerous standard safety features and driver assistance technologies. These included blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, pedestrian automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking assist, 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, such as parallel parking assistance and front and rear parking assist, were available as options or on the top Hybrid Pinnacle trim. The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded it Good marks in most categories.