2024 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2023 Ford Escape showcased a departure from its earlier rugged, boxy design, embracing a more European aesthetic. The refresh introduced a traditional front end with a Ford blue oval logo and a stylish LED light bar, replacing the previous cartoonish grille. Despite its sleek design, the Escape maintained a compact stature within Ford's lineup, positioned as one of the smallest SUVs alongside the Bronco Sport. The ST-Line Elite trim, which was tested, featured 19-inch wheels and body-colour mirror caps, giving it an upscale appearance akin to a Mazda CX-5. Inside, the Escape boasted diamond-stitched leather upholstery, though it felt hard and plasticky. The seats were comfortable, with a 10-way power adjustable driver's seat, but the interior was dominated by plastic, some of which felt cost-cutting.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid retained the sleek and clean styling of its non-hybrid counterpart, with the only noticeable differences being the charge port and some badging. The Pacifica's design remained contemporary, with a rounded front fascia and integrated elliptical headlights, contrasting with the bold appearances of other minivans. Offered in Select and Pinnacle trims, the Pacifica Hybrid featured all-LED exterior lighting and standard 17-inch wheels, with 18-inch options available. The Pinnacle trim included Nappa leather upholstery and small pillows for the second-row seats, though some premium elements clashed with lower-level model features. Despite these inconsistencies, the Pacifica Hybrid maintained a sophisticated look.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered multiple powertrain options, including a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, available in FWD or AWD. The ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite trims featured a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, exclusively with AWD. While the Escape's suspension was soft and compliant, making it comfortable for everyday driving, it lacked the performance tuning of a genuine performance crossover. The brakes provided predictable stopping power, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness seen in some competitors.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid combined a 3.6-litre V6 engine with a two-motor hybrid system, powered by a 16-kWh battery pack, resulting in a total system output of 260 horsepower. While it lacked the AWD and towing capacity of the non-hybrid model, the electric-motor torque compensated for the horsepower deficit, providing quick acceleration and a quieter ride. The Pacifica Hybrid excelled in maximizing all-electric driving, though the shift from electric to hybrid mode was somewhat clunky. The regenerative braking was not as effective as one-pedal driving, but the well-tuned chassis offered a comfortable ride, enhancing the vehicle's quietness.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided a comfortable interior with supportive seats and excellent ergonomics. However, it fell short in cargo space, offering up to 1,061 litres behind the second row and 1,851 litres with the second row folded, lagging behind competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Passenger space was also slightly less than rivals, though the back seat's headroom and the front-seat backs' design helped maximize space for taller passengers.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, with its minivan design, offered superior accessibility and interior space compared to crossover SUVs. While it lacked the Stow 'n Go second-row seats due to the battery pack, it still provided ample cargo space, with 911 litres behind the third row, 2,477 litres behind the second row, and 3,978 litres behind the first row. The Pinnacle trim featured an Ultra Console with additional storage, though its design was somewhat awkward. The Pacifica Hybrid also offered the Stow 'n Vac built-in vacuum cleaner, a practical feature for a minivan.

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 like the ST-Line Elite. The system was intuitive, with easy navigation between applications, though it was occasionally slow to respond. A six-speaker sound system was standard, with a Bang & Olufsen system available on higher trims.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect 5 system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM with 360L. While the system lacked a fully digital instrument cluster, it remained functional and user-friendly. The Pacifica Hybrid also featured up to 12 USB-C ports, an optional FamCam rear-facing camera, and the Uconnect Theatre rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV connectivity.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with top scores in frontal and side-crash tests. However, it did not earn a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS due to a Marginal score in the side-impact test. Standard safety features included Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite, with options for Co-Pilot360 2.0, offering advanced driver-assist systems.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid also earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with similar scores in crash tests. While complete IIHS ratings were unavailable, the non-hybrid Pacifica was a Top Safety Pick. The Pacifica Hybrid included standard safety features like blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, and adaptive cruise control, with additional features on the Pinnacle trim.