2022 Land Rover Defender vs 2022 Toyota Sienna

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its distinctive exterior styling, with a boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare tire, and flat hood that visually tied it to the original version and classic Series Land Rovers. Despite these retro callbacks, the design was thoroughly modern, featuring rounded corners for better aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights that gave the Defender a unique personality. The modern Defender was also much larger than the original, offering more interior space and improved ergonomics.

Inside, the Defender balanced rugged character with modern comfort. The upright driving position of the original was replaced with a more comfortable setup that still provided good outward visibility. The interior design included bare metal and exposed screws for a rugged look, complemented by metal trim on the steering wheel. High-end models like the Defender 90 V8 featured a mix of leather and suede upholstery, which seemed more practical for off-road use. Unlike the Range Rover, the Defender's interior was designed to handle mud and dirt without concern.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna continued to embrace its minivan identity, despite the rise of SUVs. Toyota's commitment to the minivan segment was evident in the Sienna's evolution, from the original Van in the 1980s to the innovative Previa and the first Sienna in 1998. The fourth-generation Sienna, launched in 2021, aimed to blend SUV style with minivan practicality. It featured a macho front end, re-engineered door hinges, and a sleek profile with integrated styling details. The Sienna offered 17-inch wheels on base models, with options for 18-inch and 20-inch wheels on higher trims.

Inside, the Sienna avoided the typical minivan feel with an uncluttered front cabin design and ample storage options. The second and third rows provided roomy, comfortable seating, with available captain's chairs and a spacious three-across bench in the third row. The third-row bench could be easily stored away, and the second-row seats slid up to 25 inches for easy access. The Sienna's interior was designed with family convenience in mind, offering numerous storage cubbies and cupholders throughout.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered three powertrain options. The base model featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The mid-level option was a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain rated at 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. The new-for-2022 V8 engine produced 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, allowing the Defender 90 to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 149 mph. All Defender models used a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case.

The V8 model also featured an electronic active rear differential, Dynamic drive mode, and unique transmission and suspension tuning for sportier handling. Despite its off-road capabilities, the Defender was comfortable on pavement, with a suspension that absorbed bumps well and minimized noise from the 22-inch tires. The Defender's 4WD system, good approach, departure, and breakover angles, and up to 11.5 inches of ground clearance made it a capable off-roader. It also had an 8,201-pound maximum towing capacity.

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 was standard, with all-wheel drive available on all trim levels. The AWD system used a separate electric motor for the rear wheels, providing 54 hp and 89 pound-feet of torque. The Sienna used an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) with four selectable drive modes: Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport.

The Sienna's handling was better than expected for a minivan, thanks to its Toyota Next Generation Architecture (TNGA) platform. The front suspension and steering, along with the independent rear trailing arm suspension, minimized body roll and provided a comfortable ride. The Sienna's EPA fuel economy ratings were impressive, with FWD models achieving 36 mpg city/36 mpg highway/36 mpg combined, and AWD models getting 35 mpg city/35 mpg highway/35 mpg combined. The Sienna's 288-volt nickel metal-hydride battery pack was tucked under the front seats and came with a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, which were surprisingly comfortable in the Defender 90 model. However, accessing them was challenging in the two-door configuration, and cargo space was limited. The four-door Defender 110 model provided more flexibility, with two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations. Three-row models had 11.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, 35.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 70.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. Two-row versions offered 18.1 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 51.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The Defender's interior design emphasized functionality, with a shifter and climate-control knobs placed on a shelf extending from the dashboard, leaving room for a large caged storage space below. The center-console storage bin was one of the largest outside a full-size pickup truck and could be equipped with refrigeration. Optional features included a basket-style roof rack and cargo boxes that mounted to the side pillars.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was designed to be a family workhorse, capable of carrying a full 4x8 sheet of plywood inside with the tailgate closed. The sliding second row added flexibility for loading luggage and freight, with cargo measurements of 33.5 cubic feet 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 maximum towing capacity.

The standard 60/40-split third-row bench stored away easily, and each row had storage cubbies and cupholders. Both side sliding doors and the rear tailgate were power-operated, with foot-motion triggers for added convenience. The Sienna's interior was designed with family needs in mind, offering ample storage and easy access to all seating areas.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came with a standard Pivi Pro infotainment system, featuring a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on all trims except the base model, and an 11.4-inch touchscreen was newly available for 2022. The interface was user-friendly, with well-designed graphics and menu layouts, although the screen required a firm touch to respond.

Optional features included a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, head-up display, and a surround-view camera system. The side camera views helped with off-roading, while the front view was useful for spotting obstacles.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna offered a wealth of standard and available technology features. A 9-inch touchscreen was standard on all grades, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, one USB media port, and six USB charging ports throughout the cabin. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not available.

The Sienna came with a one-year trial of Safety Connect and Remote Connect telematics services, a 10-year trial of Service Connect, and a three-month trial of AT&T WiFi Connect. Bluetooth hands-free and audio streaming were standard, with Qi wireless phone charging available on higher trims. A 1500-watt inverter with a 120-volt AC outlet was optional on XLE and above trims.

Audio systems ranged from a six-speaker setup on the LE to a 12-speaker JBL system on higher trims. A rear-seat entertainment system was available on XLE and above, featuring an 11.6-inch 1080p display, remote, and two wireless headphones. The Sienna also offered a color multi-information display, with a 10-inch head-up display available on Platinum trims. Limited and Platinum models could upgrade to a digital rearview mirror, providing a clear view of the road behind.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender included standard driver-assist features such as lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and traffic-sign recognition with speed-limit adapter. Blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were optional. The Defender had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, which was not unusual for luxury vehicles.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. The standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite included adaptive cruise control, Lane Tracing Assist, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and traffic sign recognition. The Sienna also featured the Star Safety System, 10 airbags, multiple LATCH connectors, a rear-seat reminder system, tire-pressure monitoring, and an inflator kit. A spare tire was available, mounted in the cargo space for safety and convenience.