2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2023 Ford Escape showcased a departure from its earlier, more rugged design, embracing a European-inspired aesthetic. This model featured a refreshed front end with a traditional grille and a stylish LED light bar, giving it a more upscale appearance. Despite its sleek design, the Escape remained one of the smaller vehicles in Ford's SUV lineup. The ST-Line Elite trim, which was tested, boasted 19-inch wheels and body-colour mirror caps, enhancing its sophisticated look. Inside, the Escape offered diamond-stitched leather upholstery, which, while visually appealing, felt somewhat hard. The seats were comfortable, and the 10-way power adjustable driver's seat provided excellent support for long drives. However, the interior was dominated by plastic materials, some of which felt cost-cutting.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, particularly in the Limited trim with the S Appearance Package, presented a practical yet stylish minivan option. The exterior featured body-coloured door handles, gloss black accents, and 18-inch wheels. The split grille was flanked by LED headlamps, and the rear boasted LED tail lamps spanning its width. Inside, the Pacifica Hybrid's interior was dark but sophisticated, with Nappa leather seats and a well-designed dash. The controls were user-friendly, though the proximity of the HVAC and audio knobs to the transmission selector dial could cause confusion. The Pacifica Hybrid offered a practical and comfortable ride, with features like heated and cooled front seats and a heated steering wheel, making it a family-friendly choice.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered a range of powertrain options, including a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque. This engine could be paired with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite trims featured a more powerful 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, exclusively with all-wheel drive. While the Escape's suspension was soft and compliant, making it comfortable for everyday driving, it lacked the precision of a performance crossover. The brakes provided predictable stopping power, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness seen in some competitors.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid combined a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine with a 16-kWh battery and two electric motors, offering a unique plug-in hybrid option in the minivan segment. It provided an all-electric range of 51 kilometres and a total range of 784 kilometres, with a fuel economy rating of 2.9 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres. In testing, the Pacifica Hybrid exceeded these figures, achieving 53 kilometres of electric range and 885 kilometres of total range. The Pacifica defaulted to all-electric mode before switching to hybrid operation, which was efficient in city driving but less so on highways. The Pacifica Hybrid delivered 260 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque, with a smooth continuously variable transmission. However, it was only available with front-wheel drive and lacked some features like a spare tire and towing package.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided a comfortable driving experience with supportive seats and excellent ergonomics. The interior featured a head-up display and well-positioned armrests. However, the Escape fell short in cargo space, offering 1,061 litres behind the second row and 1,851 litres with the second row folded, which was less than some competitors. Rear-seat legroom was also slightly limited, though headroom was impressive.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid offered family-friendly features like the FamCam interior camera, allowing parents to monitor children in the rear seats. The interior included heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, and comfortable second-row seats. The Pacifica Hybrid's cargo space was slightly reduced due to the battery placement, with 914 litres behind the third row and 2,477 litres with the third row folded. However, it still provided ample space for most needs, though competitors like the Kia Carnival and Honda Odyssey offered more overall space.

The 2023 Ford Escape featured the Sync 4 infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 13.2-inch screen on higher trims. The system was intuitive, with easy navigation between applications like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. A wi-fi hotspot was available with a subscription, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system was optional on higher trims. While Sync 4 was generally user-friendly, it was occasionally slow to respond, and the volume knob's placement was inconvenient.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running Uconnect 5, known for its ease of use and crisp graphics. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with the ability to connect two phones via Bluetooth. The optional rear seat entertainment system added two 10-inch screens for second-row passengers, though it was a costly addition. The Pacifica Hybrid offered numerous charging options, including USB ports, 12-volt outlets, and wireless charging, ensuring devices remained powered.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with top scores in frontal and side-crash tests. However, the IIHS did not award it a Top Safety Pick designation due to a Marginal score in the updated side-impact test. The Escape came standard with Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite of driver-assist features, including forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The optional Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid included standard safety features like blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. The forward collision warning system provided both visual and audible alerts. The adaptive cruise control system offered smooth braking and acceleration. While the 2023 model had not been rated by the NHTSA, the 2022 version received a five-star overall rating. The IIHS gave it Good marks in most categories, with some Average and Marginal scores.