2022 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2022 Lexus RX was available in several trims, including the base 350, F Sport, and L for its gas powertrain, with a hybrid model known as the RX 450h. The RX 350 and F Sport accommodated five passengers, while the L trim offered a three-row, seven-passenger configuration. The RX's design, which had been refreshed in 2020, maintained a modern and sporty appearance, standing out with its aggressive styling among competitors like the Audi Q5 and BMW X5. The exterior featured sharp character lines and angular elements, creating a striking yet balanced design. The F Sport trim, in particular, added a performance-oriented look with 20-inch wheels and unique front fascia, enhancing its sporty appeal.

Inside, the RX's cabin exuded luxury across all trims, with the F Sport adding a sporty touch through specific badging and Scored Aluminum trim. The interior offered a variety of color combinations, with the F Sport featuring NuLuxe synthetic leather in black or dark red. While the cabin had high-quality materials, the center stack felt somewhat dated due to an abundance of buttons. Comfort was a mixed bag, as the NuLuxe seats in the F Sport were less cushioned, and finding an ideal driving position proved challenging. The limited-edition Black Line trim added exclusive styling elements, further elevating the RX's premium look.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, embraced its minivan identity while incorporating SUV-like styling cues. The Sienna's design featured a bold front end and cleverly concealed sliding door channels, giving it a more assertive stance. The interior was designed to avoid the typical minivan feel, offering an uncluttered front cabin with ample storage options. The Sienna provided comfortable seating for second- and third-row passengers, with available captain's chairs and a spacious third-row bench. The third row could be easily stowed into the floor, enhancing cargo flexibility. The Sienna's practicality was further highlighted by its power-operated sliding doors and tailgate, making it convenient for families on the go.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid RX 450h combined the V6 with two electric motors, producing a total of 308 horsepower. All RX models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard on the RX 350 and all-wheel drive available. The hybrid RX came exclusively with all-wheel drive. Despite its sporty appearance, the RX's performance was underwhelming, with a lackluster engine note and unimpressive acceleration. The F Sport trim included performance dampers and an adaptive variable suspension, but the driving experience remained uninspiring.

The RX offered various drive modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, but the differences between them were subtle. The vehicle excelled in comfort and cabin quietness, providing a smooth ride and isolating road noise effectively. Fuel efficiency for the RX 350 was estimated at 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, with slight variations for all-wheel drive and three-row models. The RX 450h hybrid achieved better fuel economy, with 31 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna continued with its hybrid powertrain, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, producing a combined 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available across all trims. The Sienna utilized an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT), providing smooth power delivery and maximizing fuel efficiency. The Sienna's handling was surprisingly good for a minivan, thanks to its Toyota Next Generation Architecture (TNGA) platform, which minimized body roll and offered a comfortable highway ride.

The Sienna's standout feature was its impressive fuel economy, with EPA estimates of 36 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 36 mpg combined for front-wheel-drive models. All-wheel-drive versions achieved 35 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 35 mpg combined. The Sienna's hybrid system included a 288-volt nickel metal-hydride battery pack, backed by a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty.

The 2022 Lexus RX offered a passenger volume of 99.8 cubic feet in its standard two-row configuration, comfortably accommodating four adults. The rear middle seat was best suited for short trips. Front headroom measured 39.4 inches, with 39.1 inches in the rear. Legroom was generous, with 44.1 inches in the front and 38.0 inches in the back. The three-row L models shared the same wheelbase, resulting in limited space for the third row, suitable mainly for groceries. Cargo space in the standard RX was 16.0 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 32.6 cubic feet with the second row folded. The three-row models offered 7.45 cubic feet with all seats up, increasing to 58.48 cubic feet with both back rows down. The RX featured thoughtful interior elements like a smartphone slot, adjustable-height cup holder, and a flat-bottomed cargo net.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna excelled in practicality, capable of accommodating a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. The sliding second row added flexibility for loading cargo, with 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 boasted a 3,500-pound towing capacity. The third-row bench easily stowed into the floor, and each row offered storage cubbies and cupholders. Power-operated sliding doors and a rear tailgate with foot-motion triggers enhanced convenience for families.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with an 8-inch touchscreen display as standard, with an optional 12.3-inch version available. Despite being moved closer to the driver in a previous refresh, the touchscreen's positioning remained ergonomically challenging. The design created a lip in front of the screen, obstructing access to certain icons. The touchscreen was responsive, but alternatives like voice commands and a touchpad were less user-friendly. The touchpad, in particular, was hypersensitive and unintuitive. The RX offered a range of tech features, including six USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, wireless charging, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and more. The Lexus App allowed for remote engine start and vehicle settings customization.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna featured a 9-inch touchscreen as standard, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. While wireless connectivity for these features was absent, the Sienna offered a comprehensive suite of telematics services, including Safety Connect, Remote Connect, and Service Connect. Bluetooth hands-free and audio streaming were standard, with Qi wireless phone charging available on higher trims. Audio systems ranged from a six-speaker setup to a 12-speaker JBL system. A rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display was available on select trims. The Sienna also offered a digital rearview mirror and a head-up display on higher trims, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2022 Lexus RX came equipped with the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, lane-keeping assist, and a pre-collision system with cyclist and pedestrian detection. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a head-up display. The RX was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS when equipped with optional triple-beam LED headlights. However, it missed the top-tier "plus" designation due to its headlights rating. The RX received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side crash tests and four stars in frontal crashes and rollover resistance.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna earned 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, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and traffic sign recognition. The Sienna also featured the Star Safety System, 10 airbags, and multiple LATCH child-seat connectors. A rear-seat reminder system and tire-pressure monitoring were standard, with an optional spare tire for added convenience.