2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2023 Cadillac Escalade

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade stood as a towering presence, nearly six-and-a-half feet above the ground, requiring a substantial 18 to 19 feet of length to park. It was a motorized cargo container, equipped with three rows of leather seats and an array of computers, reminiscent of a command center. The standard Escalade was already impressive, but the Escalade ESV extended its length by an additional 15 inches, primarily stretching the wheelbase. The Escalade, along with its Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and GMC Yukon/Yukon XL counterparts, was designed for show, appealing to pop musicians, overzealous parents, wannabe federal agents, or boaters with large families. Its athletic and trim appearance, despite its size, was achieved through clever design elements like thin LED lights and darkened chrome bits on the Sport Platinum trim, making it a handsome SUV that wore its plus-size dimensions with pride.

Inside, the Escalade's first row exuded luxury with a 38-inch curved, leather-edged array of screens and seven choices of wood trim. While the base Luxury trim featured leatherette upholstery, other trims offered a variety of leather combinations with intricate details. However, the allure faded in the second and third rows, where parts from cheaper GM vehicles were evident, and the seats lacked support. The richest features were reserved for the driver's space, leaving the rest of the cabin wanting more luxury treatment. Cadillac acknowledged this shortcoming, hinting at improvements seen in the 2023 Lyriq, which blended the Escalade's screens into a fresher cabin crafted exclusively for Cadillac.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, available in Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle trims, offered a practical alternative to SUVs. The mid-trim Limited with the S Appearance Package added body-colored door handles, gloss black accents, and 18-inch wheels with a "Foreshadow" finish. The split grille, surrounded by standard LED headlamps, and LED tail lamps spanning the rear, gave it a sophisticated look. While minivans lacked the cool cachet of SUVs, they provided practicality with sliding doors and ample cargo space. The Limited's interior, though dark, featured handsome Nappa leather seats and a sophisticated dash design. However, the proximity of the HVAC and audio knobs to the transmission selector dial could cause confusion.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade offered a pleasant driving experience, though the standard 6.2-liter gasoline V8 engine, with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, did not deliver the acceleration its muscle-car sound suggested. It excelled in gentle cruising, with the V8 smartly shutting off up to six cylinders for improved fuel efficiency, achieving a combined 16 mpg with optional four-wheel drive. The Escalade's towing capacity reached up to 8,200 pounds on the rear-wheel drive model, but it felt heavy in passing situations. The 10-speed automatic transmission performed adequately, though the powertrain seemed reluctant in Sport mode. The Escalade-V addressed acceleration concerns with a supercharged Corvette V8, producing 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque, but this seemed excessive. An optional 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6, with 277 hp and matching torque to the regular V8, offered better fuel economy at a combined 22 mpg with 4WD.

The Escalade's 4WD system, based on a truck platform, required manual engagement for low-traction surfaces, with an "auto" mode that engaged 4H when rear wheels slipped. Its magnetic dampers reduced body roll, and the steering was superbly tuned, making the Escalade nimbler than many large SUVs. The ride was serene, though wind noise was noticeable at highway speeds, giving it a pickup truck-like feel.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid combined a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a 16-kWh battery and two small electric motors, offering 32 miles of all-electric range, 520 miles of total range, 82 MPGe, and 30 mpg combined fuel economy. In testing, it exceeded these figures, achieving 33 miles of electric range and over 550 miles of total range. Charging the battery on a Level 2 home charger took just two hours, while a standard outlet required 14 hours. The Pacifica defaulted to all-electric mode before switching to hybrid operation, which was efficient in city driving but quickly depleted on highways. Unlike other plug-in hybrids, it did not allow drivers to hold electric-only mode, limiting flexibility.

The Pacifica Hybrid, with 260 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque, provided sufficient power for highway passing, though acceleration was not blistering. The continuously variable automatic transmission operated smoothly, and the steering, though light, was suitable for a minivan. The battery's placement in the floor improved handling by lowering the center of gravity.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade boasted the most space-efficient interior among large SUVs, offering 25 cubic feet behind the third row, 73 cubic feet behind the second row, and a massive 121 cubic feet with both rows down. The Escalade ESV extended this capacity to 143 cubic feet, surpassing competitors like the Lincoln Navigator L and Jeep Grand Wagoneer L. Generous headroom and legroom in every row, including the third, ensured comfort for six adults. The controls were intuitive, with a smart and fast interface, and an optional front console refrigerator added convenience. Power-retractable side steps and an air suspension facilitated access and loading, while the tailgate's separate glass window was ideal for pets. However, the second-row seats lacked power adjustment.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the FamCam interior camera, allowing parents to monitor children in the second and third rows. Heated and cooled front seats, along with a heated steering wheel, provided comfort, though second-row seats were low for taller passengers. The center pathway allowed easy access to the spacious third row, though competitors like the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna offered more legroom. The Pacifica's flat-fold Stow 'n Go seats were unavailable in the hybrid due to battery placement, but cargo space remained at 32.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 87.5 cubes with seats folded. Overall, it offered 140.5 cubic feet of space, though the Kia Carnival and Honda Odyssey provided more. The plug-in hybrid also lacked features like a built-in vacuum cleaner and heated second-row seats.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade introduced several automotive tech firsts, including a vast span of OLED screens across the dash, providing sharp and clear visuals. A front camera displayed a high-resolution feed of the road on the instrument panel, overlaying directional arrows and street names when navigation was active. Super Cruise, a $2,500 option, offered the best hands-free highway driving system, surpassing Tesla's capabilities. It used infrared eye-tracking cameras to ensure driver attention, with alerts for distraction. Super Cruise worked on over 200,000 miles of marked U.S. highways, requiring minimal driver intervention. The Escalade also featured night vision with pedestrian detection, a 36-speaker AKG audio system, massaging front seats, and a rear-seat entertainment system with streaming capabilities.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running Uconnect 5, known for its ease of use and crisp graphics. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and dual phone connectivity via Bluetooth. The optional rear seat entertainment system, priced at $2,795, added two 10-inch screens for second-row passengers, offering games and streaming content from Amazon Fire TV. However, the value of this feature was questionable, given the prevalence of personal devices. The Pacifica Hybrid provided ample charging options, including USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, a 115-volt outlet, auxiliary ports, and wireless charging.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade earned four out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with a lower four-star rating for front-passenger protection in a frontal crash test and a three-star rating for rollover resistance. It received five stars in other NHTSA crash tests but lacked ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, a Safety Alert seat, rear parking sensors, and a rear seat reminder. Optional features included reverse emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and Super Cruise.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including 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 both visual and audible alerts, while the adaptive cruise control system offered smooth braking and quick acceleration. However, features like parallel parking assistance and front and rear parking assist required additional packages or the top Pinnacle trim. The 2023 Pacifica Hybrid had not been rated by the NHTSA, but the 2022 version received a five-star overall safety rating. The IIHS gave it Good marks, except for Marginal grades for seat belt reminders and Average grades for headlights and LATCH ease of use.