2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2024 Chrysler Pacifica

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was priced at just over $50,000, with the base Hybrid LE starting at $51,435, including destination charges. In Canada, all-wheel drive was standard, while a front-wheel drive version was available in the U.S. The Highlander Hybrid offered various trims, including the XLE AWD with a Special Edition package and the Limited with a Platinum package. The Limited trim with the Platinum package had an MSRP of $61,800 in Canada. The 2023 model saw minimal appearance changes, with a new Cypress Green paint colour. The Highlander Hybrid's design was considered over-styled, with exaggerated forms and a lack of subtlety both inside and out. The interior was criticized for its mismatched textures, reflections, and lack of quality, with controls and storage areas feeling inexpensive.

In contrast, the 2024 Chrysler Pacifica maintained a contemporary exterior design despite not being refreshed or redesigned for several years. Its smooth styling and modest grille provided a nice alternative to flashier rivals. The Pacifica's sliding-door tracks were cleverly hidden, contributing to its clean look. Available in various trims, including Touring, Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle, the Pacifica offered standard LED lighting and a range of wheel options. The interior featured a minimalist, sculpted dashboard with well-integrated controls. The Pinnacle trim boasted luxurious touches like Nappa leather upholstery and small pillows for the second-row seats, though some interior elements felt less premium. The Pacifica's design emphasized comfort and practicality, making it a standout choice in the minivan segment.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with two electric motor-generators, delivering 243 combined horsepower. The electric motors assisted with acceleration and allowed for low-speed electric-only driving. However, the gas engine's 175 pound-feet of torque limited high-speed passing power. The Highlander Hybrid's towing capacity was 1,588 kilograms, but it struggled with power and brake performance in mountainous conditions. The SUV offered Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, along with an AWD system and a Trail mode for light off-road use. The Predictive Efficient Drive system aimed to optimize fuel economy, but real-world results were less impressive than advertised. The Highlander Hybrid prioritized comfort and quietness over driving engagement, making it suitable for city and suburban use.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica featured a 3.6-litre V6 engine producing 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on higher trims. The Pacifica's V6 engine provided peppy acceleration and a towing capacity of 1,632 kilograms. The minivan's chassis tuning prioritized comfort and stability, with a suspension that effectively damped body motion and road imperfections. While some weight transfer was noticeable during acceleration and deceleration, the Pacifica offered a quiet and comfortable ride. It was positioned as a step above mainstream minivans, offering a refined driving experience compared to its competitors.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid accommodated seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim and configuration. Most models featured second-row captain's chairs, making the third-row seat best suited for occasional use. Standard equipment included three-zone automatic climate control and heated front seats, with additional features like a heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats available in higher trims. The second-row captain's chairs provided comfort and flexibility, while the third-row was less accessible and comfortable. The Highlander Hybrid offered 453 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,370 litres with the third row folded and 2,387 litres with the second row folded. However, the interior storage design was criticized for being unnecessarily complex and lacking lining.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica offered its innovative Stow 'n Go seating, allowing the second-row seats to fold flat into the floor, creating large in-floor storage bins. The Pacifica accommodated seven passengers with standard second-row bucket seats and a 60/40 split-folding third-row bench seat. Pinnacle models featured second-row captain's chairs and a power-folding third-row seat. The Pacifica provided ample passenger space, with competitive headroom and legroom across all rows. Cargo space was generous, with 914 litres behind the third row, 2,477 litres behind the second row, and 3,978 litres with both rows folded. The Pacifica also included a built-in vacuum cleaner and a raised centre console with hidden storage.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid introduced new technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display with customizable themes. However, the controls for the screen were not intuitive. The Highlander's infotainment system featured an 8.0-inch or 12.3-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim, with over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Connected service plans were standard, with Remote Connect allowing remote access to vehicle functions. The Drive Connect service plan offered additional features like natural voice recognition and cloud-based navigation. The test vehicle included a head-up display and an 11-speaker JBL sound system, though the graphics and sound quality could be improved.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica came with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and available SiriusXM with 360L. The instrument cluster featured analog gauges with a 7-inch digital display. The Pacifica offered up to 12 USB-C ports, built-in navigation, and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The Uconnect 5 system was praised for its intuitive and sharp displays, though a shortcut for the 360-degree camera system was desired. The Pacifica also offered a rear-seat entertainment system with touchscreens, wireless headphones, and Amazon Fire TV connectivity. The FamCam interior camera allowed parents to monitor rear-seat passengers.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, with additional features like parking sensors and a surround-view camera available on higher trims. The Highlander Hybrid received excellent crash-test ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, though the ADAS occasionally struggled with certain road conditions.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was named a 2023 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and rear park assist. Optional features included a 360-degree camera system, front park assist, and a parallel/perpendicular park assist system.