2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade stood as a flagship in Hyundai's SUV lineup, replacing the Santa Fe XL. It showcased an elegant and striking exterior design, shedding any past criticisms of Hyundai's designs being derivative. The Palisade featured distinctive lines, a prominent grille, and expressive LED lighting, giving it a signature look. Its profile was enhanced by sculpted wheel arches and a continuous strip of glass that created a floating roof effect. Inside, the Palisade offered a polished and near-luxury experience with high-quality materials, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and spacious seating arrangements. The fit and finish were impressive, making it a worthy flagship for Hyundai.

In contrast, the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid was a minivan that embraced its identity without trying to disguise it as something else. It wasn't a standout in terms of looks, even with the S Appearance Package, but it offered practicality and efficiency. The Pacifica Hybrid was equipped with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain, providing an electric-only driving range that was ideal for short commutes and errands. The interior was comfortable, with quality leather upholstery and a range of storage options. While it didn't try to hide its minivan roots, the Pacifica Hybrid excelled in offering a practical and efficient solution for transporting people and cargo.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a naturally aspirated 3.8-litre V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine choice was somewhat of a throwback in an era of turbocharged engines, but it delivered a smooth and responsive driving experience without turbo lag. The Palisade's fuel consumption was estimated at 12.3 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 9.6 on the highway. It could tow up to 2,267 kilograms with trailer brakes, making it a capable family SUV. The Palisade's handling was commendable, thanks to its four-wheel independent suspension and stabilizer bars.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured a plug-in hybrid drivetrain based on a 3.6-litre V6 engine paired with a dual-motor electric drive system. It delivered a total system output of 260 horsepower, with immediate torque from the electric drive system. The Pacifica Hybrid could travel up to 51 kilometres on electric power alone, making it ideal for short trips. Its regenerative braking system helped improve efficiency, achieving an average fuel economy of 6.3 litres per 100 kilometres. While the Pacifica Hybrid's driving experience was not particularly exciting, its powertrain was efficient and seamless in transitioning between electric and gasoline power.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade offered a spacious and versatile interior, with comfortable seating in all three rows. The third row provided easy access and cupholders, while the second-row captain's chairs were exceptionally comfortable. The Palisade boasted ample storage options, including a large luggage space of 509 litres behind the third row, expandable to 2,447 litres with the second and third rows folded. The gear selector featured a compact shift-by-wire setup, and the controls were logically arranged. The Palisade also offered a dual-panel sunroof and a range of comfort features, including heated and ventilated seats.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in comfort and utility, offering three rows of comfortable seating and impressive cargo space. The interior featured quality leather upholstery, triple-zone climate control, and a range of storage solutions. The second-row seats were more comfortable than the standard Pacifica's Stow n’ Go seats, though they required removal for maximum cargo space. The Pacifica Hybrid provided 914 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 3,978 litres with the second-row seats removed. While it lacked an onboard vacuum cleaner, it offered practical features like grocery bag hooks and a low power liftgate button.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased Hyundai's technological prowess with a standard display audio system featuring a 1920 x 720 colour touchscreen. Most trims came with a 630-watt Harman Kardon premium audio system with 12 speakers and Clari-Fi music restoration technology. The infotainment system included wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, and satellite radio. The Palisade also featured a rear-view monitor, surround view function, and a head-up display on higher trims. Hyundai's Blue Link connected car system was standard on select trims, offering remote engine start and vehicle monitoring.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid was equipped with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, featuring a 10.1-inch touchscreen display with appealing graphics and a user-friendly interface. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as SiriusXM satellite radio. The FamCam overhead camera system allowed parents to monitor rear-seat passengers. The Pacifica Hybrid also offered a 20-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, though its default sound quality required adjustment. The rear-seat entertainment system included Amazon Fire TV, providing a range of entertainment options. The Pacifica Hybrid also featured a surround-view camera system and parking assist.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade boasted a comprehensive list of safety features, including seven airbags, electronic stability control, and a range of driver assistance systems. Standard features included blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance, and forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection. The Palisade also offered adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and safe exit assist. It earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid claimed to offer more standard safety features than any other vehicle in the industry. It included a rear-seat reminder system and a complete package of driver-assist and collision-avoidance features. While it lacked adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist, it offered adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-keeping assist. The Pacifica Hybrid earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though its frontal-impact protection rated four stars.