2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2022 Kia Seltos

The 2022 Kia Seltos was positioned between the smaller Kia Soul and the larger Kia Sportage, offering a range of trim levels in Canada, including LX, EX, EX Premium, and SX. The Seltos, except for the LX, came with standard all-wheel drive (AWD), with prices ranging from $23,595 to $33,195, excluding the $1,850 destination charge. The U.S. model tested, the Nightfall Edition, was similar to the top SX grade, featuring 18-inch alloy wheels, a turbocharged engine, and a dual-clutch transmission. The Seltos was a visually appealing small SUV, though the headlights were not particularly favoured. Inside, it showcased style with exposed stitching and metallic accents, but the abundance of shiny hard plastic detracted from its overall appeal. The controls were logically arranged, though the purple accent colour for the infotainment system was not universally liked.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid was available in Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle trims, with the Limited trim featuring the S Appearance Package. This package added body-coloured door handles, gloss black grille surrounds, and black accents, complemented by 18-inch wheels. The Pacifica Hybrid was a practical choice, offering sliding doors and ample cargo space. The interior, though predominantly black, was sophisticated with Nappa leather seats and a well-designed dash. The HVAC and audio knobs were appreciated, though their proximity to the transmission selector dial could cause confusion. The Pacifica Hybrid was essentially a minivan with SUV-like features, providing practicality and comfort for families.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine in the LX, EX, and EX Premium trims, delivering 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The SX trim featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 175 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The turbo engine provided a more engaging driving experience, with torque available between 1,500 rpm and 4,500 rpm. The Seltos offered Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode balancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. The AWD system included a Lock function for power distribution, and the Seltos had a ground clearance of 18.5 centimetres. The suspension tuning was less appealing, with the vehicle exhibiting lateral rocking motions and a bouncy ride on uneven roads. Despite these issues, the Seltos was lively in urban environments and easy to park, though highway driving revealed significant road noise.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid combined a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine with a 16-kWh battery and two electric motors, offering 260 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque. It was the only minivan available as a plug-in hybrid, with an all-electric range of 51 kilometres and a total range of 784 kilometres. The Pacifica Hybrid's fuel economy was rated at 2.9 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres, with a combined non-hybrid fuel economy of 8.0 L/100 km. The vehicle defaulted to all-electric mode before switching to hybrid mode, which was efficient in city driving but less so on highways. The Pacifica Hybrid was front-wheel drive only and lacked a spare tire and towing package. Despite these limitations, it offered a smooth driving experience with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a lower centre of gravity for better handling.

The 2022 Kia Seltos excelled in form and function, offering a roomy interior with easy access due to its ride height and large door openings. The driver's seat was manually adjustable, and the tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel allowed for a comfortable driving position. Heated front seats were standard on all trims except the base LX FWD. The rear seat accommodated adults comfortably, with generous legroom and footroom. The Seltos provided decent storage space, including a smartphone shelf, and offered 752 litres of cargo space behind the back seat, expanding to 1,778 litres with the rear seat folded down.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the FamCam interior camera, allowing parents to monitor children in the second and third rows. The vehicle offered heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, and comfortable second-row seats. The third row was spacious enough for adults, though taller passengers might prefer the legroom in competitors like the Honda Odyssey. The Pacifica Hybrid lacked the Stow 'n Go seats due to the battery placement, reducing its versatility. However, it offered 914 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,477 litres with the seats folded, and 3,978 litres with everything folded.

The 2022 Kia Seltos featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system starting at the EX Premium grade, paired with a Bose premium sound system in the SX trim. The system included Bluetooth connectivity for two devices, navigation, satellite radio, and a six-speaker stereo. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a cable connection. The infotainment system was intuitive, with physical knobs and buttons for primary functions, though the voice recognition system was less effective without a connected services subscription.

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 vehicle featured multiple USB ports, 12-volt outlets, a 115-volt outlet, and wireless charging, ensuring devices remained charged throughout the journey.

The 2022 Kia Seltos was equipped with numerous safety features, including blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. The Seltos SX offered adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and Highway Driving Assist. The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid included standard safety features such as blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, pedestrian automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The 2022 version received a five-star overall 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.