2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe, with its Selenite Gray paint, 22-inch forged aluminum wheels, and polished brightwork, presented a balanced aesthetic that was neither offensive nor overly striking. Despite its resemblance to an athletic sneaker from certain angles, the GLE 53 Coupe managed to maintain a sophisticated appearance. Inside, the vehicle was as luxurious as expected, featuring high-end materials like Nappa premium leather, a Dinamica simulated suede headliner, and brushed aluminum trim. The dual-screen instrumentation and infotainment design added a high-tech touch, while ambient lighting enhanced the driving experience at night.

In contrast, the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited with the S Appearance Package offered a more practical and family-friendly design. The exterior featured body-colored door handles and mirrors, a gloss black grille surround, and 18-inch wheels with a "Foreshadow" finish. The split grille and LED headlamps added a modern touch, while the LED tail lamps spanned the entire width of the rear. Inside, the Limited trim's dark Nappa leather seats and sweeping dash lines provided a sophisticated feel. However, the interior was somewhat dark, and the placement of the HVAC and audio knobs near the transmission selector dial could be confusing.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe was powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine, producing 429 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 384 pound-feet of torque from 1,800 to 5,800 rpm. The engine featured EQ Boost, a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that added extra power when needed and helped conserve fuel. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 19 mpg, but our test vehicle achieved 18.5 mpg. The GLE 53 Coupe also boasted a SpeedShift nine-speed automatic transmission and an AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system with fully variable torque distribution. The AMG Dynamic Select system offered multiple driving modes, including Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Slippery, Individual, and Off-road. The AMG Active Ride Control suspension and AMG Performance brakes further enhanced the vehicle's performance.

In urban settings, the GLE Coupe's speed-sensitive variable-ratio power steering made maneuvering easy, while the tight turning radius facilitated U-turns. However, the optional AMG Performance braking system made smooth stops challenging. The AMG Active Ride Control suspension handled speed humps well but was less forgiving on rougher surfaces. Overall, the GLE Coupe felt nimble and composed in various driving conditions, with a reserve of performance available when needed. In Sport+ mode, the vehicle excelled on challenging roads, while Sport mode provided a more balanced and rewarding driving experience.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid combined a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a 16-kWh battery and two small electric motors, making it the only plug-in hybrid minivan available. The EPA rated it for 32 miles of all-electric range, 520 miles of total range, 82 MPGe, and 30 mpg combined fuel economy. Our test vehicle exceeded these estimates, achieving 33 miles of electric range and over 550 miles of total range. Charging the battery on a Level 2 home charger took about two hours, while a standard outlet required approximately 14 hours.

The Pacifica Hybrid defaulted to all-electric mode before switching to hybrid mode once the EV range was depleted. This setup was efficient for city driving but less so for highway commutes. Unlike other plug-in hybrids, the Pacifica did not allow drivers to hold the electric-only mode. The Pacifica Hybrid was front-wheel drive only and lacked a spare tire and towing package. Despite these limitations, the Pacifica Hybrid offered a smooth driving experience with 260 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque. The continuously variable automatic transmission operated seamlessly, and the vehicle's lower center of gravity improved handling.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe technically seated up to five people, but it was more comfortable for four, especially if the rear passengers were adults. The front seats offered numerous power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and massage functions, making them comfortable for long drives and supportive during spirited driving. Forward visibility was good, but rear visibility was limited, necessitating the use of available cameras. The back seat provided ample legroom, and the cargo hold offered 27.5 cubic feet of space, expandable to 63.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Additional comfort features included heated rear seats, a four-zone automatic climate control system, and an Air Balance in-cabin fragrance system.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the FamCam interior camera, allowing parents to monitor children in the second and third rows. The test vehicle had heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a comfortable driver's seat with easy adjustments. The second-row seats were comfortable but low, and the center pathway allowed easy access to the spacious third row. The Pacifica Hybrid did not have Stow 'n Go seats due to the battery placement, but it still offered 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 87.5 cubic feet with the seats folded, and 140.5 cubic feet with all seats down. However, competitors like the Kia Carnival and Honda Odyssey offered more overall space.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe came standard with the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, featuring dual 12.3-inch screens under a single piece of glass. Standard features included navigation, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Mercedes Me connected services. Wireless smartphone charging and a Burmester surround-sound audio system were also standard. MBUX was user-friendly, with natural voice recognition technology activated by saying "Hey Mercedes." Optional features included gesture recognition, augmented video for navigation, a head-up display, a surround-view camera system, and an upgraded Burmester 3D high-end surround-sound system.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running Uconnect 5, known for its ease of use and crisp graphics. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and the ability to connect two phones via Bluetooth. Our test vehicle had the optional rear seat entertainment system, which added two 10-inch screens for second-row passengers, games, and streaming content from Amazon Fire TV. However, this feature was expensive and redundant for families with personal devices. The Pacifica Hybrid also offered numerous USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, a 115-volt outlet, auxiliary ports, and wireless charging.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe came equipped with numerous safety features, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, forward automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The Pre Safe Sound system emitted a "pink noise" tone before a collision to protect hearing. The Emergency Call Service was free for the vehicle's lifetime. The optional Driver Assistance Package added 15 additional safety systems, including Traffic Jam Assist, Active Lane Change Assist, and Active Emergency Stop Assist. The GLE Coupe's lane-keeping assistance was particularly effective. The adaptive cruise control's route-based speed adaptation function could be turned off if desired. While crash-test results for the GLE Coupe were unavailable, the standard GLE received top safety ratings from the IIHS and 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, rear parking assist, and adaptive cruise control. The forward collision warning system provided both visual and audible alerts, and the adaptive cruise control operated smoothly. Optional features included parallel parking assistance and front and rear parking assist. The 2023 Pacifica Hybrid had not yet been rated by the NHTSA, but the 2022 model received a five-star overall safety rating. The IIHS gave it Good marks in most categories, with Marginal grades for seat belt reminders and Average grades for headlights and LATCH ease of use.