2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2023 Kia Telluride

The 2023 Kia Telluride X-Line and X-Pro models showcased a refreshed design with updated front and rear styling, new headlights and taillights, and fresh wheel designs. The SUV was available in new paint colors like Midnight Lake Blue, Dawning Red, and Jungle Green, with interior options in Terracotta, Navy, and Sage Green. The X-Line model replaced the Nightfall Edition, featuring a raised suspension, unique grille design, and black 20-inch wheels, while the X-Pro model added exclusive 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, enhancing its off-road appeal. Inside, the Telluride boasted a digital instrumentation panel and a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, housed under a curved 24-inch glass, pushing the SUV into a modern era. Minor interior updates included new colors, trim changes, and a redesigned steering wheel, with embossed trim names on the front seatbacks of the X-Line and X-Pro models.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, particularly in the mid-trim Limited with the S Appearance Package, offered a sleek look with body-colored door handles and mirrors, a gloss black grille surround, and black accents. The exterior was completed with 18-inch wheels in a "Foreshadow" finish. The minivan featured a split grille with standard LED headlamps and LED tail lamps spanning the rear. While minivans like the Pacifica Hybrid lacked the SUV's cool factor, they provided practicality with sliding doors and ample cargo space. The Limited trim's interior was predominantly black, with Nappa leather seats and a sophisticated dash design. The HVAC and audio knobs were chunky, though their proximity to the transmission selector dial could cause confusion.

The 2023 Kia Telluride retained its mechanical prowess with a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow, with an AWD system featuring a low-speed Lock setting for power distribution. The Telluride X-Line averaged 24.1 mpg, while the X-Pro returned 20.4 mpg, with official EPA ratings at 21 mpg combined for AWD models. The SUV's suspension was raised by 10mm, increasing ground clearance to 8.4 inches, and it featured a new Downhill Brake Control system. The X-Pro model, equipped with 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, excelled off-road, with a towing capacity of 5,500 pounds. On highways, the Telluride offered a smooth ride, though the off-road tires made it feel slightly squishy in turns.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid combined a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a 16-kWh battery and two electric motors, offering 260 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque. It was the only plug-in hybrid minivan, with an EPA-rated 32 miles of electric range, 520 miles total range, 82 MPGe, and 30 mpg combined. In practice, it exceeded these numbers, achieving 33 miles of electric range and over 550 miles total. The Pacifica defaulted to all-electric mode, which was efficient in city driving but quickly depleted on highways. The hybrid model was FWD only, lacked a spare tire, and couldn't be equipped with a towing package. Despite these limitations, the Pacifica Hybrid offered a smooth driving experience with a CVT and a lower center of gravity for better handling.

The 2023 Kia Telluride accommodated seven or eight passengers, with premium Nappa leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated front- and second-row captain’s chairs in the SX Prestige trim. The interior was spacious, with a power lumbar stabilization system for long trips. The second row featured manual sunshades, USB ports, and storage pockets, while a button on the captain’s chairs facilitated access to the third row. The Telluride offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 46 cubic feet with it folded, and 87 cubic feet with both rear rows down. A smart power tailgate with proximity-sensing and an automatic closing function was also available.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the FamCam interior camera, allowing parents to monitor children in the second and third rows. The minivan had heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a comfortable driver’s seat. The second-row seats were low, but the center pathway allowed easy access to the spacious third row. The Pacifica Hybrid lacked the Stow ‘n Go seats due to the battery placement, but offered 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 87.5 cubes with it folded, and 140.5 cubic feet with all seats down. However, it missed features like a built-in vacuum cleaner and heated second-row seats.

The 2023 Kia Telluride came standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, navigation, and Kia Connect services, including a Wi-Fi hotspot. The voice recognition system performed well, though climate control adjustments required manual input. The Kia Access app allowed remote control via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, with OTA updates and dual Bluetooth device pairing. The Telluride included Driver Talk and Quiet Mode, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, wireless charging, and digital-key technology. A Full Display Mirror and a head-up display with a 10-inch viewing area were also available, along with a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Uconnect 5, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and dual Bluetooth phone connections. The optional rear seat entertainment system added two 10-inch screens with games and Amazon Fire TV streaming, though it was costly. The Pacifica Hybrid had numerous USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, a 115-volt outlet, auxiliary ports, and wireless charging, ensuring devices remained powered throughout the cabin.

The 2023 Kia Telluride offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, junction turning system, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. It also featured Safe Exit Assist, adaptive cruise control with curve speed reduction, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, and Highway Drive Assist 1.5 and 2.0. The SX trim added collision avoidance features, front parking sensors, a surround-view camera, and a Blind-Spot View Monitor. Additional features included automatic high-beam headlights, a driver attention warning system, and a Rear Occupant Alert system. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of review.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid included standard safety features like blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, pedestrian automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking assist, and adaptive cruise control. The forward collision warning system provided visual and audible alerts, while the adaptive cruise control offered smooth braking and acceleration. Optional features included parallel parking assist and front and rear parking assist. The 2022 Pacifica Hybrid received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and Good marks from the IIHS, except for Marginal grades for seat belt reminders and Average grades for headlights and LATCH ease of use.