2023 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox presented itself as an attractive crossover, even if it didn't boast the futuristic design of a Kia Sportage or the rugged appeal of a Toyota RAV4. Its restrained bodywork was complemented by a chunky front end, which made the grille appear smaller and more refined compared to the aggressive front fascias common in the industry. The gold Bowtie emblem, while a bit garish against certain paint colours like Radiant Red Tintcoat, looked appealing on others such as Blue Glow Metallic and Harvest Brown Metallic. The Equinox was available in four trims: LS, LT, RS, and Premier, with AWD as an option on the LS and LT trims in Canada, and standard on the RS and Premier.

Inside, the Equinox offered a sense of spaciousness, thanks to its thick C-pillar and large windows. The Premier trim featured handsome two-tone leather upholstery and standard heated front seats across all trims in Canada. However, the interior design felt somewhat dated, with a small touchscreen and basic driver-information display. Despite this, the Equinox was practical and user-friendly, with a traditional PRNDL shift lever and ample cupholders. The optional Confidence and Convenience II package added desirable features like lumbar adjustments, ventilated front seats, and an HD surround-view camera, making it a recommended addition for potential buyers.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, available in Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle trims, offered a practical and stylish minivan option. The Limited trim with the S Appearance Package added body-coloured door handles, gloss black accents, and 18-inch wheels with a "Foreshadow" finish. The split grille was flanked by standard LED headlamps, and the LED tail lamps spanned the rear width. While minivans lacked the cool factor of SUVs, the Pacifica Hybrid provided practicality with sliding doors and ample cargo space.

Inside, the Limited trim featured a dark interior with Nappa leather seats and a sophisticated dash design. The HVAC and audio knobs were chunky, 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 were comfortable but low, and the third row offered enough space for adults, though taller passengers might prefer the Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna for more legroom. The Pacifica Hybrid's cargo space was generous, with 914 litres behind the third row and up to 3,978 litres with all seats folded, though it fell short of competitors like the Kia Carnival and Honda Odyssey.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. While it handled low-speed acceleration adequately, it struggled to accelerate above 50 km/h, making it less suitable for highway driving. The Equinox's six-speed automatic transmission, while older, contributed to the powertrain's noise. AWD was available on all trims but required manual engagement. The new electronically assisted brake-by-wire system improved braking performance, and the suspension handled bumps well, making the Equinox enjoyable to drive.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid combined a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine with a 16-kWh battery and two electric motors, offering 260 horsepower and 230 lb-ft of torque. It was the only plug-in hybrid minivan, with an official electric range of 51 km and a total range of 784 km. In testing, it achieved 53 km of electric range and 885 km of total range. The Pacifica Hybrid's CVT operated smoothly, and the steering was light but adequate for a minivan. However, the electric power delivery was limited, as it defaulted to all-electric mode first, which was less efficient for highway driving. The Pacifica Hybrid was FWD only and lacked a spare tire and towing package, reducing its versatility compared to the non-hybrid model.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox offered 847 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,809 litres with the seats folded. While it outperformed some competitors, it fell short of others like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Passenger space was ample, with good headroom and legroom for a six-foot-tall driver and rear passengers. The interior featured higher-quality plastic components, cupholders for every passenger, and a standard power liftgate on the Premier trim. A panoramic sunroof was available on all trims except the base LS.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the FamCam interior camera, allowing parents to monitor children in the second and third rows. The heated and cooled front seats and heated steering wheel added comfort, while the second-row seats were comfortable but low. The third row offered enough space for adults, though taller passengers might prefer competitors for more legroom. The Pacifica Hybrid's cargo space was generous, with 914 litres behind the third row and up to 3,978 litres with all seats folded. However, the lack of Stow 'n Go seats in the second row reduced its versatility compared to the non-hybrid model.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox featured a simple yet effective infotainment system, with a 7-inch touchscreen on lower trims and an 8-inch screen on the Premier. While not as flashy as competitors, the system was easy to use, with quick response times and good voice recognition. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a Wi-Fi hotspot were standard across all trims. The Premier trim included a wireless charging pad, and a Bose seven-speaker audio system was available on the RS and Premier trims.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running Uconnect 5, offering ease of use and crisp graphics. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with Bluetooth connectivity for two phones. The optional rear seat entertainment system added two 10-inch screens for second-row passengers, though it was costly. The Pacifica Hybrid featured numerous USB ports, 12-volt outlets, a 115-volt outlet, auxiliary ports, and wireless charging, ensuring devices remained charged throughout the cabin.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox included standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high beams. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were optional on all trims except Premier. The Equinox received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but scored poorly in the IIHS moderate overlap front crash test and marginally in the side-impact crash test.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid offered standard safety features like 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 operated smoothly. Additional features like parallel parking assist required a package or the top Hybrid Pinnacle trim. The 2022 Pacifica received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and Good marks from the IIHS, except for Marginal grades for seat belt reminders and Average grades for headlights and LATCH ease of use.