If you’re looking for a green minivan but aren’t yet ready to take the EV plunge, you may want to consider a hybrid. However, only two minivan models – the Chrysler Pacifica and the Toyota Sienna – offer hybrid engines. So, in a head-to-head hybrid minivan showdown, is it the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid or the 2022 Toyota Sienna that comes out on top?

An overview of the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

First, a look at the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. With a starting MSRP of $48,478, this minivan is powered by a 3.6L V6 plug-in hybrid engine that produces 260 horsepower, as per Edmunds. The Pacifica Hybrid’s tank holds 16.5 gallons and has good fuel efficiency, getting 29 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. Operating solely on its battery, it has an electric driving range of approximately 32 miles. With a 240V battery, it can charge to capacity in approximately 2 hours. 

One of the biggest reasons to buy a minivan is space. Here, the Pacifica Hybrid performs admirably. It has a seven-seat configuration with generous legroom (41 inches in the front, 39 inches in the middle row, and 36.5 inches in the rear). If you need cargo space, you get a decent 32.3 cubic feet, which expands to 87.5 cubic feet with the rear seats flipped down, and 140.5 cubic feet with all rows down.

The standard technology features are also fairly respectable, with a 10.1-inch display that is Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatible. Chrysler also includes several standard advanced safety features, such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking assistance, and blind-spot monitoring.

For an additional charge, you can get many other common amenities such as heated and ventilated front seats, keyless entry, and a 360-degree camera system. However, what helps set the Pacifica Hybrid apart is the Amazon Fire TV option that lets your passengers watch streaming television through displays built into the back of the front and middle rows. You can also upgrade your Pacifica Hybrid’s standard audio to a premium 19-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system. Additionally, to keep your minivan in tiptop shape, you can get a Stow ‘n Vac system to clean up any messes.

How the Toyota Sienna standard hybrid minivan stacks up

Of course, if you’re looking to comparison-shop, Toyota‘s Sienna, now a standard hybrid model, is your only other choice. It starts at $35,285 and, as per Edmunds, comes with a 2.5-liter Inline-4 engine that gives you 245 hp. Its 18-gallon tank also gives you excellent fuel economy (36 mpg in the city and on the highway).

In the space department, the Toyota Sienna lags behind its competitors. Though it seats seven to eight, it does not allow owners to fold down the second-row seats. However, you can slide them back roughly 25 inches for extra space. Riders won’t feel cramped with 40.3 inches of legroom in the front seat and 39.0 inches in the rear.

Like most minivans, the Toyota Sienna provides quite a few creature comforts. Among them is a standard 9.0-inch touchscreen compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. You’ll also get a six-speaker sound system, which can be upgraded to eight or 12 speakers. If you’re looking for more tech amenities, you can also purchase a rear entertainment with an 11.6-inch display, a 10.0-inch head-up display, wireless charging, and more.

Like the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, common amenities like heated and ventilated front seats in the Toyota Sienna are available for an additional price. You can even get an ottoman, minifridge, and vacuum for an upcharge. However, you don’t have to shell out extra for advanced safety features. Toyota provides Sienna owners with a bevy of standard advanced safety features, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure alerts, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alerts.

Which hybrid minivan is the better buy?

The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid provides more amenities and comfort than the Toyota Sienna. You’ll pay a bit extra for all the bells and whistles, but on a long road trip, the extra cargo space, entertainment, and cleaning options are certainly worth it.

However, since you’ll wind up spending well over $50,000 for your premium Pacifica Hybrid, you may want to consider the Sienna if you’re on a budget. As per Consumer Reports, the Sienna is the better option for cost-conscious shoppers and provides even better fuel economy ratings and similar driving performance and standard features for much less. It’s still not ideal if you need to haul lots of equipment periodically, but it can handle your average summer road trip in a first-rate fashion.

So, if you’ve got the cash to spare, choose the Pacifica Hybrid. Its versatility, comfort, and amenities make it the clear winner in a head-to-head hybrid minivan showdown.