2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E was a bold move by Ford, merging the iconic Mustang styling with a five-door electric crossover SUV. Despite initial skepticism, this decision proved wise, as the Mach-E's design elements, such as the galloping horse emblems, scowling headlights, and tri-bar taillights, resonated with consumers. Its long, narrow, and tall dimensions might have seemed unusual, but the visual connection to the legendary pony car contributed significantly to its popularity. Since its debut in 2021, Ford produced over 150,000 units, shipping them worldwide. In Canada, the Mach-E was available in various trims, with prices ranging from $56,995 to $92,745, excluding a $2,195 destination charge. The GT trim, in particular, stood out with its aggressive styling, unique 20-inch wheels, and a dark front panel resembling a traditional grille, making it a formidable competitor in the EV market.

Inside, the Mach-E GT exuded luxury and technology, with artificial leather and synthetic suede sport-bolstered seats adorned with copper stitching. The cabin featured a high-end look with fabric on the dashboard, door panels, and speaker grilles, complemented by metallic and gloss-black trim. The dual rectangular display screens added to the sporty, upscale ambiance. The Mach-E GT seamlessly blended past, present, and future, offering a compelling package of style, quality, and technology.

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, gloss black grille surround, and black badging, all complemented by 18-inch wheels. The Pacifica Hybrid's split grille and LED headlamps added a touch of sophistication, while the LED tail lamps spanned the rear width. Although minivans lacked the SUV's cool factor, the Pacifica Hybrid's practicality shone through with its sliding doors and ample cargo space.

Inside, the Limited trim's interior was dark but sophisticated, with handsome Nappa leather seats and a dash featuring sweeping lines. The chunky HVAC and audio knobs were user-friendly, 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, albeit low, and the spacious third row accommodated adults for extended trips. However, the Pacifica Hybrid's battery placement limited the availability of Chrysler's flat-fold Stow 'n Go seats, reducing its versatility compared to non-hybrid models.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E offered a range of powertrains, including standard-range and extended-range battery packs, with options for single-motor rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) systems. Power output varied from 266 to 480 horsepower, with torque ranging from 317 to 634 pound-feet. The driving range spanned from 360 to 502 kilometres, depending on the configuration. The Mach-E GT Performance Edition featured an extended-range battery and AWD, delivering 480 horsepower and 634 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-100 km/h time of 3.7 seconds. The official driving range was 418 kilometres, and the vehicle offered Whisper, Engage, and Unbridled driving modes, with an exclusive Unbridled Extend mode for track use. The Mach-E GT's ride quality was firm, but its overall driving dynamics were impressive, with efficient energy consumption of 22.9 kWh per 100 kilometres during testing.

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 included 51 kilometres of all-electric range, 784 kilometres of total range, and a combined fuel economy of 2.9 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres. During testing, the Pacifica Hybrid exceeded these figures, achieving 53 km of electric range and 885 km of total range. Charging the battery on a Level 2 home charger took just two hours, while a standard outlet required 14 hours. The Pacifica Hybrid defaulted to all-electric mode before switching to hybrid operation, which was efficient in city driving but less so on highways. The vehicle's 260 horsepower and 230 lb-ft of torque provided sufficient power for highway passing, while the CVT operated smoothly. However, the Pacifica Hybrid was limited to front-wheel drive and lacked a spare tire and towing package, reducing its versatility compared to non-hybrid models.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E, with its crossover SUV configuration, offered a balance of form and function. It provided seating for up to five people and 965 litres of cargo space, including a sizable front trunk (frunk). The front seats featured performance seats with gray ActiveX and Miko upholstery, separated by a stylish tiered centre console with ample storage. The rear seats accommodated three children or two adults comfortably, with sufficient legroom and a panoramic glass roof for an airy environment. The Mach-E's cargo space expanded to 1,691 litres with the rear seats folded, and the frunk offered an additional 133 litres of space, designed for easy cleaning with a drain plug.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid catered to families with features like the available FamCam interior camera, allowing parents to monitor second-row and third-row passengers. The test vehicle included 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 ample space for adults. The Pacifica Hybrid's battery placement limited the availability of Chrysler's flat-fold Stow 'n Go seats, reducing its versatility. However, cargo space remained generous, with 914 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,477 litres with the seats folded. The total cargo capacity was 3,978 litres, though competitors like the Kia Carnival and Honda Odyssey offered more space.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured a 15.5-inch touchscreen running Ford's Sync 4A infotainment platform, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, FordPass Connect services, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, navigation, and wireless smartphone charging. The system learned user habits and provided predictive suggestions, while the Bang & Olufsen premium sound system delivered excellent audio quality. The Mach-E also included a 10.2-inch digital instrumentation display and Phone As A Key technology, allowing smartphone-based vehicle access.

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 offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity for two phones, and an optional rear seat entertainment system with two 10-inch screens. 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 Ford Mustang Mach-E included Ford's Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 technology, featuring adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and more. The BlueCruise hands-free highway driving system was available, offering lane-change and predictive speed assist functions. The Mach-E received top safety marks from the IIHS and was a Top Safety Pick for 2022 and 2023. However, NHTSA crash-test ratings were incomplete at the time of review.

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 visual and audible alerts, while the adaptive cruise control system operated smoothly. The Pacifica Hybrid had not been rated by NHTSA, but the 2022 model received a five-star overall safety rating. The IIHS gave it Good marks, with some areas receiving Marginal or Average grades.