2022 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid retained the same design as the previous year, featuring Honda's two-motor hybrid powertrain introduced in 2020. The exterior included "Hybrid" badges, blue Honda logos, sophisticated LED fog lights, and a unique rear bumper. Inside, the CR-V Hybrid had distinct trim and instrumentation to display battery-charge status, power regeneration, and power distribution. The steering wheel paddles managed the regenerative braking system. Available in EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, all models came with standard all-wheel drive (AWD) and pricing ranged from $30,560 to $36,350. The Touring trim, which was tested, included features like leather upholstery, a premium sound system, and wireless smartphone charging, with a total cost of $37,920 including destination charges.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna, continuing from its 2021 redesign, aimed to blend minivan practicality with SUV styling. It featured a bold front end, re-engineered door hinges, and a sleek profile with 17-inch wheels on base models and up to 20-inch wheels on higher trims. The interior was designed to avoid a minivan feel, offering ample storage, comfortable seating for all rows, and a 60/40-split third-row bench that folded into the floor. The Sienna's cargo space was impressive, with 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101 cubic feet behind the first row. It also had a 3,500-pound towing capacity and power-operated sliding doors and tailgate with foot-motion triggers for added convenience.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a 2.0-liter gasoline engine paired with an electric assist motor and a generator/starter motor, producing a total of 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. It offered three driving modes—EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive—automatically selecting the most appropriate one. Additionally, drivers could choose from Econ, Sport, and EV modes. The hybrid system added 194 pounds to the vehicle, improving weight distribution and maintaining 8.2 inches of ground clearance. The CR-V Hybrid was quick off the line, handled predictably, and provided a comfortable ride. However, it returned 33.7 mpg on the testing route, falling short of the EPA rating of 38 mpg combined.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna came exclusively with a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, with an available AWD system that added a separate electric motor for the rear wheels. The Sienna used a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and offered four drive modes: Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport. The TNGA platform provided better-than-expected handling for a minivan, with minimal body roll and a comfortable highway ride. The Sienna's EPA fuel economy ratings were impressive, with FWD models achieving 36 mpg city/highway/combined and AWD models getting 35 mpg city/highway/combined. The 288-volt nickel metal-hydride battery pack was located under the front seats and came with a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid offered comfortable front seats with 12-way power adjustment for the driver and heated front seats. The rear seat provided ample space for adults, with air conditioning vents and quick-charge USB ports. Interior storage was generous, though the Touring trim's wireless smartphone charger took up significant space on the center console. Cargo space was 33.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 68.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, slightly less than the standard CR-V due to the battery pack.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna excelled in cargo capacity, capable of holding a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. It offered 33.5 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101 cubic feet behind the first row. The Sienna also had a 3,500-pound towing capacity. The third-row bench folded into the floor, and each row had ample storage and cupholders. Power-operated sliding doors and tailgate with foot-motion triggers added convenience for families.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid's infotainment system, redesigned in 2017, featured a seven-inch touchscreen with a power/volume knob but lacked a tuning knob. The system was slow to start, and voice-recognition technology was limited. It supported wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a cluttered navigation map display. The Touring trim included a nine-speaker premium audio system, wireless smartphone charging, and dual quick-charging ports for the rear seat.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna boasted a nine-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. It included a one-year trial of Safety Connect and Remote Connect, a 10-year trial of Service Connect, and a three-month trial of AT&T WiFi Connect. Higher trims offered a 12-speaker JBL audio system, a rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display, and a 10-inch color head-up display. The Sienna also featured a digital rearview mirror and Smart Key System on higher trims.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid came with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and Road Departure Mitigation. It also had blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The CR-V Hybrid earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, with adaptive cruise control, Lane Tracing Assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and traffic sign recognition. The Sienna also had 10 airbags, multiple LATCH connectors, a rear-seat reminder system, tire-pressure monitoring, and an inflator kit.