2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2023 Land Rover Defender

In Canada, the 2023 Land Rover Defender had a significant edge over the Land Rover Discovery, outselling it by a ratio of approximately eight to one. Despite being similar in size and price, the Defender's boxy design, reminiscent of the old LR4, appealed more to customers than the Discovery's Ford-like appearance. The Defender's design was a nod to classic truck aesthetics, with its square-jawed face, rectangular hood and doors, and sharply cut tail. It featured tasteful accents that paid homage to the original 1980s Defender, such as the dome and faux-metal step plates on the hood, skylights along the roof, and a body-colour square separating the side glass. The Defender was available in three body styles: the short two-door 90, the medium-length four-door 110, and the extended-length four-door 130, offering unparalleled choice in the SUV market.

Inside, the Defender prioritized function and durability over opulence, with most surfaces coated in moisture-wicking rubbers and plastics. Despite its high price, the interior was basic, with exposed screws and plain air vents, maintaining the Defender's hardcore character. The build quality and fit were excellent, but the Defender's price tag, especially for the 110 V8 Carpathian Edition, seemed excessive compared to the more luxurious Range Rover. Nevertheless, the Defender continued to sell well in Canada, indicating that not all consumers shared this sentiment.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid was available in Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle trims, with the mid-trim Limited featuring the S Appearance Package. This package added body-coloured door handles and mirrors, a gloss black grille surround, and black badging and accents, complemented by 18-inch wheels with a "Foreshadow" finish. The Pacifica Hybrid's practicality as a minivan was evident, offering more cargo space and sliding doors compared to SUVs. The Limited's interior, though predominantly black, featured handsome Nappa leather seats and a sophisticated dash with sweeping lines. However, the proximity of the HVAC and audio knobs to the transmission selector dial could cause confusion.

The Pacifica Hybrid's interior was designed with family in mind, offering features like the FamCam interior camera to monitor children in the second and third rows. The heated and cooled front seats, along with a heated steering wheel, provided comfort, while the second-row seats, though comfortable, were a bit low for taller passengers. The Pacifica Hybrid's cargo space was slightly reduced due to the battery placement, but it still offered ample room with 914 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,477 litres with the seats folded. However, competitors like the Kia Carnival and Honda Odyssey offered more overall space.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender excelled off-road, showcasing its uncanny grip, wheel articulation, and generous clearance. With the air suspension raised, it could tackle almost any path, though most owners likely didn't utilize its full off-road capabilities. On-road, the Defender's performance was less impressive, with excessive body roll, slow steering, and noticeable wind noise. The turbocharged inline-six and supercharged V8 engines, however, provided ample power, with the V8 delivering 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque. The six-cylinder engine, part of a 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain, offered 395 hp and 406 lb-ft, balancing performance and fuel efficiency. The Defender's fuel economy varied, with the V8 returning 16.4/12.7/14.7 L/100 km, while the six-cylinder achieved 12.9/10.4/11.8 L/100 km.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid combined a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine with a 16-kWh battery and two electric motors, offering 51 kilometres of all-electric range and 784 kilometres of total range. In testing, it exceeded these figures, achieving 53 km of electric range and 885 km of total range. The Pacifica Hybrid's charging options included a two-hour charge on a Level 2 home charger and a predicted 14-hour charge on a standard outlet. However, the Pacifica's default to all-electric mode first could be inefficient for highway commutes. The Pacifica Hybrid's powertrain delivered 260 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque, with a smooth CVT and light steering. The battery's placement improved handling, but the Pacifica Hybrid lacked AWD and towing capabilities available in non-hybrid models.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender offered exceptional versatility with its seating configurations, accommodating up to eight passengers in the 130 model. The Defender 90 could seat six with an optional jump seat, while the 110 offered an optional third row. The 130 featured a standard third row with additional amenities like a separate moonroof, air vents, and available heated seat cushions. The Defender's large glass areas, including alpine lights, provided excellent visibility. Cargo space varied across models, with the 130 offering 2,180 litres with seats folded, while the 110 provided up to 2,237 litres. The Defender's off-road capabilities were complemented by features like a metal roof rack, console refrigerator, and power-deployable side steps.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid catered to families with features like the FamCam interior camera and comfortable seating. The front seats were heated and cooled, with a heated steering wheel for added comfort. The second-row seats, though comfortable, were low for taller passengers, while the third row offered ample space. The Pacifica Hybrid's cargo space was slightly reduced due to the battery, with 914 litres behind the third row and 2,477 litres with seats folded. However, it lacked the Stow 'n Go seats and built-in vacuum cleaner available in non-hybrid models, reducing its versatility compared to competitors.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender featured two touchscreen infotainment systems running Pivi Pro, with a standard 10-inch screen and an optional 11.4-inch screen. Both screens offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a voice assistant, and connected apps. The Defender's base model included heated 12-way power seats, a Meridian sound system, and various exterior and interior features. Higher trims added air suspension, a locking rear differential, and an upgraded Terrain Response 2 system, along with a head-up display and a rearview mirror with a camera display.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running Uconnect 5, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The optional rear seat entertainment system added two 10-inch screens for second-row passengers, with apps and games for long trips. The Pacifica Hybrid featured numerous USB ports, 12-volt outlets, and wireless charging, ensuring devices remained charged. However, the rear seat entertainment system's cost was difficult to justify given the prevalence of personal devices.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by U.S. agencies but received five stars in Euro NCAP crash testing. It featured six airbags, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included a digital instrument panel, head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system. However, it lacked a self-steering highway assist.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including 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 system offered smooth braking and acceleration. The Pacifica Hybrid had not been rated by NHTSA, but the 2022 model received five stars. The IIHS gave it Good marks, with some areas for improvement.