2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, despite its minivan stigma, offered practical advantages over three-row midsize crossover SUVs. Its sliding side doors made loading children in tight parking spaces easier, and its plug-in hybrid status set it apart as a unique offering in the market. However, its rounded, flowing exterior and interior styling appeared soft and dated compared to the more architectural motifs gaining popularity. The Pacifica Hybrid wasn't cheap, with the base Touring L starting at $49,095 and the Limited trim costing $54,095. Our test vehicle, with additional features, brought the MSRP to $57,680.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Escape adopted a more European design language, moving away from the blocky exterior of its predecessors. The 2023 refresh introduced a more traditional front end with a stylish LED light bar. The Escape offered various trim levels, with the ST-Line Elite being our test vehicle. Despite not looking rugged, the Escape's sleek design, 19-inch wheels, and body-color mirror caps gave it an upscale appearance. Inside, the diamond-stitched leather upholstery looked good but felt hard and plasticky, though the seats were comfortable for long drives.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured a plug-in hybrid drivetrain based on a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a dual-motor electric drive system, producing a total of 260 horsepower. The 16-kWh battery pack allowed for up to 32 miles of electric-only driving, making it ideal for short commutes and errands. The Pacifica Hybrid's regenerative braking system helped capture energy and feed it back to the battery, resulting in an average fuel economy of 37.1 mpg during our test drive. However, the driving experience was dull, with light and uncommunicative steering, unremarkable regenerative brakes, and a lack of cornering grip.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered multiple powertrain options, including a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The latter, available exclusively with AWD, provided better acceleration and high-speed performance. The Escape's brakes were predictable and linear, and the soft suspension was a blessing on rough roads. However, the transmission lacked performance tuning, and the steering inputs were well-weighted but vague.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in comfort and utility, offering three comfortable rows of seats and ample cargo space. The interior featured quality leather upholstery, triple-zone automatic climate control, and numerous storage options. The second-row seats were more comfortable than the standard Pacifica's Stow n' Go chairs, though they didn't collapse into the floor. The third-row seat was reasonably comfortable, and the Pacifica Hybrid provided 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind it. With the third-row seats folded, cargo space expanded to 87.5 cubic feet, and removing the second-row seats increased it to 140.5 cubic feet.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered comfortable and supportive seats with excellent ergonomics. The front-door armrests were well-positioned, and the head-up display was easy to adjust. However, the Escape fell short in cargo space, with 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. Passenger space was also slightly less than competitors, though the back seat's headroom and scalloped front-seat backs helped maximize space for tall passengers.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display, offering appealing graphics, a simple user interface, and speedy response. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and connected services. However, the voice recognition technology was hit-and-miss. The 20-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system required adjustments for optimal sound quality. The rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV was available but not widely used by our test passengers.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 infotainment system, available with an 8-inch or 13.2-inch touchscreen display. The larger screen upgraded the cabin's look and was well-organized, with easy navigation between applications. However, Sync 4 was occasionally slow to respond, and the volume knob's placement was inconvenient. Despite these minor annoyances, the feature set, layout, and ease of use were impressive.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid boasted a comprehensive package of standard driver-assist and collision-avoidance features, including a rear-seat reminder system. However, adaptive cruise control needed refinement, particularly in recognizing departing vehicles and moderating speed when other motorists cut in. The Pacifica earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though its frontal-impact protection rated four stars.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in frontal- and side-crash tests and four stars in the rollover test. However, the IIHS did not grant 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 advanced driver assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The optional Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control, road sign recognition, and lane-centering technology.