2024 Toyota 4Runner vs 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited, especially with the S Appearance Package, presented a sleek and modern aesthetic for a minivan. It featured body-coloured door handles and mirrors, a gloss black grille surround, and black accents, all complemented by 18-inch wheels with a "Foreshadow" finish. The split grille and LED headlamps added a touch of sophistication, while the LED tail lamps spanned the rear, enhancing its visual appeal. Inside, the Limited trim offered a dark but elegant interior with Nappa leather seats and a sophisticated dashboard design. However, the proximity of the HVAC and audio knobs to the transmission selector dial could cause some confusion.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner maintained its rugged, classic SUV look, reminiscent of its 2010 design. Its boxy shape and flared fenders gave it a stable and robust appearance, ideal for off-road adventures. The TRD Pro model further emphasized this with underbody skid plates, all-terrain tires, and a tubular roof rack. Inside, the 4Runner's design felt dated, with an analog instrument panel and an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen. The interior featured hard plastics, but cushioned panels on commonly touched surfaces provided some comfort. Despite its nostalgic charm, the 4Runner's interior lacked the modern touches found in its competitors.

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 official all-electric range of 51 kilometres and a total range of 784 kilometres, with a fuel economy of 2.9 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres. In practice, the Pacifica exceeded these numbers, achieving 53 km of electric range and 885 km of total range. However, the Pacifica defaulted to all-electric mode first, which was less efficient on highways. The hybrid model was front-wheel drive only, with 260 horsepower and 230 lb-ft of torque, providing adequate performance for highway driving.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner featured a 4.0-litre V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. While its powertrain specs were comparable to the Bronco and Wrangler, the 4Runner's transmission limited its responsiveness and fuel economy. The TRD Pro model came with standard four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case, excelling in off-road conditions. However, on-road performance suffered, with slow acceleration and noticeable body roll. The 4Runner's soft suspension provided comfort off-road but resulted in a bouncy and floaty ride on highways.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid offered family-friendly features like the FamCam interior camera, allowing parents to monitor children in the second and third rows. The interior included heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, and comfortable seating throughout. However, the second-row seats were not Stow 'n Go due to the battery placement, reducing versatility. Cargo space remained generous, with 914 litres behind the third row and up to 3,978 litres with all seats folded. Despite this, competitors like the Kia Carnival and Honda Odyssey offered more overall space.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's interior, though dated, was functional with easy-to-use climate controls and sturdy handles for off-road stability. The front seats provided ample space, but the steering wheel's limited telescoping range could be an issue for taller drivers. The second row offered generous legroom, but headroom was limited due to the elevated bench. Cargo capacity reached 1,337 litres behind the rear seats and 2,540 litres with seats stowed. The 4Runner lacked remote seat releases, but its flat load floor was practical for camping. A sliding glass rear window and a hitch receiver with a 2,268-kilogram towing capacity added to its utility.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Uconnect 5, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The optional rear seat entertainment system added two 10-inch screens for second-row passengers, though its value was questionable given the prevalence of personal devices. The Pacifica provided ample charging options, including USB ports, 12-volt outlets, and wireless charging.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's infotainment system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but its eight-inch touchscreen was small and lacked off-road-specific apps. The TRD Pro model came with a 15-speaker JBL audio system, though road noise often overshadowed its quality. Additional terrain controls were located in the headliner console, with Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select systems enhancing off-road capabilities.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came equipped with a range of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. While not all features were standard, the Pacifica Hybrid's safety systems were generally effective. The 2022 model received a five-star safety rating from NHTSA and Good marks from IIHS, except for some areas like seat belt reminders and headlights.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner received mixed safety ratings, with four stars from NHTSA for overall and frontal crash protection, and five stars for side impacts. IIHS ratings were similarly varied, with Good scores for moderate frontal overlap and side protection tests, but lower scores for newer tests. The 4Runner included standard safety features like adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning, though its alerts could be overly sensitive.