What’s A Crossover Again?

2022 Chrysler Pacifica AWD S vs 2023 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy vs 2023 Infiniti QX60 Luxe

By Isaac Bouchard

The bestselling vehicles in the US are classified as trucks—pickups, SUVs and crossovers. The latter category is nebulous, encompassing a large variety of underpinnings, but united in aspirations to be off-road capable thanks to increased ride height, available AWD and tough or imposing looks. When moves up to premium six- or seven-seat crossovers, there is a convergence of sorts, with many companies using the underpinnings from mainstream vehicles and a distinct “top hat” of body and sometimes interior to command higher prices. The Infiniti QX60, based on the Nissan Pathfinder, is a perfect example. Others are loaded, posh examples from mainstream brands, like the Kia Telluride and its mechanical twin, the Hyundai Palisade. Finally, there is the vehicle that arguably started the whole trend, the Chrysler Pacific. Ostensibly still a minivan, it is in many ways the best of the family haulers, and with AWD, is just about as capable as the more overtly truck-like players.

Chrysler Pacifica S

Yeah, the doors slide, and the hood is sloped. But look past that and the Pacific is just as upscale and cool as crossovers that come more readily to mind. And those sliders are genius when it comes to actually using the Pacifica as a family vehicle. That they are powered and can be opened or closed by the driver from the left front seat is a huge boon when dropping and retrieving human cargo.

The Pacifica is roomier than like-sized, conventional crossovers too, and its tumble-fold third row grants it massive cargo capacity. Its interior is as nicely finished as the others reviewed here, and its cab-forward driving position is actually very compelling. The UConnect 5 system in the Chrysler is also arguably easier to use than the others, too.

The Pacifica comes as a plugin hybrid, but the test vehicle is gasoline only utilizing the long-serving, 3.6-liter “Pentastar” V6, with outputs of 287hp and 262lb-ft. Hooked to a 9-speed auto, it runs the yardstick 0-60mph in 7.9 seconds but feels more sprightly in the real world. The Chrysler also rides exceedingly well and is very quiet and refined. Surprisingly, it is more fun to drive than the others tested here, having an accuracy to its steering and taughtness to its body motions that elude the others. For 2021 the Pacifica grill was made more angular and its LED headlights squintier, giving it a more aggressive appearance. While the Chrysler is obviously a minivan, it no longer shouts “Soccer Mom” quite so loudly. And, now that most every family in the nation drives a crossover of some sort, the adventurous, outdoorsy association they’re designed to conjure is mostly just a fantasy anyway, meaning the cultural baggage of minivan ownership isn’t nearly as heavy as it once was.

The Chrysler as the shortest warranties of the three, and though the company has climbed above midpack in various independent surveys or reliability and customer satisfaction, it cannot match the Hyundai nor Infiniti in those regards.

EPA Ratings: 17/25/22
0-60mph: 7.9sec
Price as tested: $57,552
Rating: 4 Stars
Here’s what they say: Chrysler

Infiniti QX60 Luxe

Infiniti was amongst the first to spot the need for a premium, three-row crossover. The second-gen QX60 is a stylish, high quality, refined example of the bread. Its sculptured metal and artfully shaped embellishments mean it looks at home parked amongst Audis and BMWs. It doesn’t drive with their level of involvement, though, a legacy of its humble underpinnings. But it does ride quietly and smoothly. And, even in lower midlevel Luxe trim, it feels very upscale inside, with an appealing depth of quality to plastic moldings and other materials.

Nice features like touch-sensitive opening on all four doors are appreciated, and Infiniti’s shifter design is better than what most companies have come up with when re-inventing this classic driver control. The QX60 instrument screen could do with more options for how it can be configured and what can be displayed on it, and Infiniti, like many, offers a split configuration for the main touchscreen which leaves a third of the display pretty much useless when running Apple or Android OS.

Seating is very comfortable in the first two rows and even the Infiniti’s back pews are decently sized and easy to access thanks to flip/fold middle row seats. The QX60 looks smaller outside than it is, which is nice, since so many three row crossovers appear bloated or boxy. Its sole powertrain offering is a 3.5-liter V6 with outputs of 295hp/270lb-ft, tied to a swift-shifting 9-speed auto. Its 6.2-sec 0-60mph time is swifter than class average, and while the Infiniti never feels particularly sporty in corners, it doesn’t lack for straight-line performance.

Infiniti offers a longer bumper-to-bumper warranty at 4 years and 60,000 miles and longer powertrain coverage at 6yr/70k than most mainstream competitors, along with 3 years free maintenance. Infiniti consistently ranks near the top of independent surveys like JD Power for customer service and reliability.

EPA Ratings: 19/25/21
0-60mph: 6.9sec
Price as tested: $52,310
Rating: 4 Stars
Here’s what they say: Infiniti

Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy

The Palisade has played perennial second-fiddle to the Kia Telluride, its mechanical twin. For 2023, Hyundai has given it a fairly extensive restyle and the results make it more distinctive and more expensive looking outside. The bluff and modern vibe is very distinctive. Inside, the top Calligraphy trim is very pleasingly finished, with intriguing stitching on the seats and door panels, and mainly high-end plastics. It is very similar in perceived quality to the Infiniti, in fact. Thankfully there is no fake wood; instead, a herringbone-patterned faux aluminum adds visual and tactile interest. One misstep is an overuse of piano black plastic, which looks downmarket and readily retains dust and fingerprints.

Space efficiency in the Palisade is excellent—in fact, it and the Infiniti are two of the best blends for those who don’t need a Suburban-sized rig but want room for family, friends and gear. Onboard tech is easy to use but has some oddities (shared with Kia and Genesis models as well), such as the climate control resetting the temp every time the Palisade is shut off, and aggressive lane assist that seems to come on of its own accord.

The Hyundai leans to the comfort side of the dynamic spectrum, and it rides well as a result, though it lets in more road and wind noise than the Infiniti or even a Mazda. The 291hp/262lb-ft, 3.8-liter V6 and 8-speed auto are well matched, with a refined swell of power which results in 60mph arriving in the high 6-second range. Fuel economy is class average; in fact, all three of these vehicles return about the same numbers in real-world use. And since none have turbos, they all loose oomph in direct relation to increases in altitude.

Hyundai’s warranty is second to none, with 5 years and 60,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage and 10yr/100k powertrain for the first owner. Hyundai, like Kia and Genesis, ranks near the top in JD Power for reliability and customer satisfaction. Despite the mainstream brand name, the Palisade—at least in Calligraphy spec—is a direct rival to the Infiniti, Acura MDX and other premium players.

EPA Ratings: 20/25/22
0-60mph:  6.2sec
Price as tested: $60,845
Rating: 4 Stars
Here is what they say: Hyundai

Automotive Editor Isaac Bouchard owns Denver-based Bespoke Autos ([email protected]; 303-475-1462). Read more of his automotive writing, reviews and recommendations on coloradoavidgolfer.com and bespokeautos.com.

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