2023 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Hyundai Kona

The 2022 Hyundai Kona received a significant makeover, enhancing its overall sophistication. The vehicle was 1.6 inches longer than its predecessor, featuring revised front and rear fascias, enhanced LED lighting, and sporty new character lines. These sharp body lines were complemented by lower body cladding, a staple for crossover SUVs. New alloy wheel designs completed the exterior updates. Inside, the Kona's instrument panel and center console were separated to emphasize a more horizontal layout, creating a wider, more spacious look. Ambient lighting for the front cupholders and footwells added a touch of sophistication, while a rear USB port increased convenience for backseat passengers. The introduction of the sporty N Line and Kona N trims brought unique styling elements, such as body-color cladding and rocker panels, and new wheel designs, enhancing the Kona's athletic appearance. The N Line featured exclusive black seats with red stitching, a black headliner, and alloy sport pedals, while the Kona N boasted wide fenders, 19-inch alloy wheels, and N sport bucket seats.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna aimed to shed its minivan image with styling reminiscent of a Japanese bullet train. While most trims featured 18-inch wheels, the FWD XSE and Platinum trims boasted 20-inch wheels. The Sienna offered a range of trims, including the base LE, XLE, sporty XSE, Limited, and top-tier Platinum, with a new 25th Anniversary Special Edition trim. The XLE trim was expected to be popular among value-conscious shoppers, offering standard LED fog lights, power-sliding doors, and a power liftgate. Inside, the Sienna impressed with high-quality brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents in the Platinum trim. It accommodated seven or eight passengers, with the eight-seater option available in the LE or XLE trims. The middle bench seat supported three-across car seats with LATCH anchors, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered a diverse range of powertrains. The SE and SEL trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The N Line and Limited trims boasted a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 195 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a seven-speed DCT. The Kona N, new for 2022, was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, paired with an N eight-speed wet DCT. The Kona N featured exclusive driving features like N Grin Shift and N Track Sense Shift, along with performance enhancements such as launch control and high-performance brakes. Our test vehicle, a Kona N Line with the 1.6-liter turbo engine and AWD, provided ample power and a pleasurable driving experience, with minor turbo lag and clunkiness in lower gears. The Kona's handling was composed, with a low center of gravity contributing to its surefootedness.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, was equipped with a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two front-mounted electric motors and a third rear-mounted motor for AWD trims. This setup delivered 245 net system horsepower, which felt underwhelming for the Sienna's size and weight. The CVT struggled with acceleration, but the Sienna's chassis and steering were commendable. It was easy to drive around town and cruised comfortably on the highway. The Sienna's light steering feel and tidy turning radius were advantageous in city driving. While the Sienna offered drive modes like EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport, Normal mode was recommended for the best balance of performance and efficiency.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona, despite its compact size, provided ample comfort for front-seat occupants. Headroom and legroom were sufficient, even with the optional sunroof. The N Line's front seats offered excellent support during spirited driving. However, rear-seat occupants faced challenges with small door openings and limited head- and legroom. The Kona's cargo space was tight, with 19.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 45.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. Towing was not recommended.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior storage solutions, with ample space for bags and a long shelf for phones. It featured a big bin in the center console and numerous cupholders. The Sienna's minivan platform made excellent use of space, offering 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and 75.2 cubic feet with the third row folded. Total cargo space reached 101 cubic feet, although the middle row couldn't be fully removed or folded into the floor. The second-row captain's chairs were functional, with extending ottomans and adjustable tracks for added comfort.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona introduced more tech features, starting with an 8-inch display for the base SE trim, offering Bluetooth connectivity and a six-speaker audio system. The SEL trim added SiriusXM, HD Radio, and Hyundai Blue Link. The Limited and Kona N featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and traffic information, along with an optional Harman Kardon audio system. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard with the base screen, while the larger screen required wired connections. The Kona also offered a Digital Key and Hyundai Blue Link services. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with easy smartphone connectivity.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna, however, relied on an older infotainment interface. It included core features like SiriusXM, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, but required wired connections. The interface felt outdated and clunky, with no dedicated buttons for Android Auto. Despite these quirks, the Sienna's technology was reliable. The 9-inch touchscreen didn't appear undersized, and the 12-speaker JBL audio system delivered good sound quality.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and driver attention warning. Available technologies included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Kona received five stars from the NHTSA for overall crash protection and "Good" ratings from the IIHS in crashworthiness tests. However, its child-seat anchors received a "Marginal" rating.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna impressed with its standard safety technology, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. It received five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS for the 2022 model. While competitors offered additional features like intercom systems and rear-seat cameras, the Sienna focused on essential safety features.