2023 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson rode on a new platform that featured a stylish and bold design. It was sold in short- and long-wheelbase versions in other markets, but Hyundai decided to offer the long-wheelbase model in the U.S., emphasizing its two-row seating configuration and expanded cargo area.

The front of the Tucson showcased Hyundai's new aesthetic, which was also seen on the Santa Cruz truck. The parametric grille cleverly integrated the standard LED daytime running lights, Bi-LED headlights, and LED front turn signals. When illuminated, these lights formed a distinctive pattern reminiscent of the wings of the Aztec Spirit Bird.

On the sides, the Tucson’s profile mirrored the Hyundai Elantra's design cues, featuring a silver D-pillar that created a floating roof effect. This design element visually connected the window surrounds to the rear of the SUV. The rear was marked by LED-illuminated, toothy taillights, giving the Tucson an edge over many other compact SUVs with its eye-catching design.

The wheels varied by trim level, with 17-inch alloys on the SE, SEL, and Blue trims that had an internal combustion engine (ICE). The ICE-powered SEL with the Convenience Package sported 19-inch alloys. There were four distinct wheel designs, including a sophisticated, darkened variant on the Tucson N-Line trim.

High-end trims featured premium fascias, front and rear skid plates, gloss black pillars, and panoramic sunroofs. Standard equipment included roof rails (except for the SE trim), body-color side-mirror housing, solar glass, and acoustic laminated glass. Advancing beyond the base model afforded buyers heated outside mirrors with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic avoidance assist indicators, front aero wipers, and the option of a sunroof.

Inside, the Tucson was well-appointed, boasting stain- and odor-resistant cloth seats as standard. Sport combination and leather-trimmed seats were available on the N-Line and Limited trims, respectively. The interior surfaces, both hard and soft, looked upscale, especially considering the vehicle's price point. Horizontal lines across the dashboard provided a clean and spacious feel to the cabin.

Similarly, the 2023 Toyota Sienna sought to redefine the minivan's aesthetic appeal. Toyota aimed to erase the traditional minivan stigma with a design that resembled a Japanese bullet train, featuring sharp and aerodynamic lines. While most trims came with 18-inch wheels, the front-wheel-drive (FWD) iterations of the XSE and Platinum trims boasted 20-inch wheels.

The 2023 Sienna offered multiple trim levels: base LE, mid-tier XLE, sporty XSE, luxurious Limited, and top-tier Platinum. Additionally, a new 25th Anniversary Special Edition trim was introduced, priced just below the Limited trim.

The XLE trim was expected to be popular among value-conscious buyers as it included standard LED fog lights, power-sliding doors, and a power liftgate—important features for families.

Inside, the Sienna excelled with high-quality materials and smart storage solutions. The Platinum trim showcased lovely brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents on the center console. Toyota offered configurations for either seven or eight passengers, with the larger capacity available only in LE and XLE trims. Notably, the eight-seater models could accommodate three car seats across the middle row.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson was available with two powertrain options: a 2.5-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine. A plug-in hybrid version was slated for future release. Hyundai paired the standard ICE engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrid employed a six-speed variant.

The ICE engine delivered 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. Though not particularly thrilling, it was a slight improvement over the previous generation’s 2.4-liter engine. With the new engine, Hyundai aimed for a combined fuel efficiency of 28 mpg, a notable increase over the outgoing model.

The hybrid model shone brighter, offering 226 total system horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, making it significantly more engaging to drive. During testing, it performed admirably across a 7,000-foot elevation change.

Front-wheel-drive Tucsons were the most fuel-efficient, getting an estimated 26 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway, and 29 mpg combined with the ICE engine. Adding all-wheel drive (AWD) decreased these figures slightly. The Tucson Hybrid models, however, achieved an estimated 37 mpg combined, with the most efficient variant delivering 38 mpg.

The hybrid system made the Tucson more powerful than the Ford Escape Hybrid, Honda CR-V Hybrid, and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. Hyundai’s forthcoming plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version promised even greater power, with an estimated system output of 261 horsepower and 224 pound-feet of torque.

Conversely, the 2023 Toyota Sienna dropped the traditional gasoline engine in favor of a hybrid-only powertrain. Toyota utilized a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two front-mounted electric motors, and a third rear-mounted motor for AWD models, combining for 245 net system horsepower.

While the power output seemed underwhelming for the Sienna's size and weight, the hybrid system was mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that struggled with high revs, resulting in lackluster acceleration.

However, the Sienna excelled in chassis and steering dynamics, offering a surprisingly nimble and enjoyable drive for a minivan. Various drive modes—EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport—were available, though Normal mode was recommended for the best balance of performance and efficiency.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson, a budget-friendly SUV, boasted an interior that was anything but cheap. It stood shoulder to shoulder with competitors like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, and Ford Escape.

A six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat was standard, with an eight-way option available on higher trims. Features such as lumbar support, three-stage heated front seats, ventilated front seats, driver seat memory, and an eight-way power-adjustable passenger seat were accessible to buyers. The standard tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel was leather-wrapped in higher trims, with a heated version available only on the Limited trim.

The new platform provided more space, turning the Tucson into a spacious haven for families. The rear seats offered more legroom than the RAV4, and the Tucson’s overall passenger volume surpassed the CR-V, RAV4, and Escape. The 74.8 cubic feet of cargo space compared favorably to competitors, comfortably housing a family of four for road trips. A 60-40 split-folding rear bench seat added versatility, complemented by a dual-level cargo floor and optional hands-free liftgate.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna, while larger at over 200 inches long, maximized interior space with a thoughtful design. Unlike the typical three-row crossover, the Sienna delivered an impressive 33.5 cubic feet of space behind its third-row seats, expanding to 75.2 cubic feet with the seats folded into the floor, and maxing out at 101 cubic feet.

The Sienna’s extensive storage options included a cubby below the center console, a long dash shelf, and a commanding number of cupholders. Unlike competitors, the second-row seats could not be fully removed or folded into the floor, making total cargo space lower than that in the Odyssey or Pacifica. Despite this, the second-row captain’s chairs with extending ottomans provided exceptional comfort and adjustability, ensuring ample legroom even in the third row.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came packed with a robust set of standard tech features. Its 8-inch infotainment touchscreen sat at the heart of its interface, accompanied by a six-speaker audio system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and two USB ports. Drivers enjoyed a 4.2-inch multi-information display.

Upgrading to the SEL/Blue trim added satellite radio, Blue Link mobile app compatibility, additional USB ports, rear air conditioning vents, and dual-zone automatic climate control with ionizer functionality. Higher trims offered a fully digital instrument cluster.

A 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen was available, but came with a catch. Opting for the larger screen required plugging in devices to use Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This screen, embedded in a larger head unit that included climate control and media functions, posed ergonomic challenges due to undifferentiated touch points on a flat surface.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna used Toyota’s older infotainment interface. Despite its basic appearance, it included core features like SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an optional navigation system, and seven USB ports.

This interface benefited from physical buttons, which many modern cars were abandoning. However, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay required wired connections, and accessing Android Auto involved navigating through the menu each time.

Still, the 9-inch touchscreen didn’t disappoint in person, and the optional 12-speaker JBL audio system delivered good sound quality, albeit with an outdated infotainment system.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson had yet to be rated by the IIHS or NHTSA but came equipped with Hyundai SmartSense Safety Features. Standard features included forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, driver attention monitor, rear occupant alert, speed limit assist, and leading vehicle departure alert.

Additional safety options encompassed blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit warning, adaptive cruise control, surround-view camera system, park distance warning, parking collision avoidance assist, ultrasonic rear occupant alert, and remote parking assist. These features closely compared to those in luxury SUVs.

Hyundai's warranty was comprehensive, offering a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty, and 7-year anti-perforation warranty. Complimentary normal oil changes and tire rotations were provided for 3 years/36,000 miles.

Toyota equipped the 2023 Sienna with a suite of standard ADAS, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with steering assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. These essential features emphasized the importance of safety in a family vehicle.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna earned a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and, while untested by the IIHS, the mechanically identical 2022 model received a Top Safety Pick+ designation. Honda’s and Chrysler’s competitors also shared these accolades, with Toyota focusing solely on essential features without gimmicks like Honda’s intercom system or Chrysler’s rear-seat camera.