2022 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2022 Toyota Sienna occupied a unique niche in the automotive market, standing firm as a minivan while many competitors shifted focus to SUVs. Toyota's commitment to the minivan segment was evident through its history, from the original Van in the 1980s to the innovative Previa and the subsequent generations of the Sienna. The latest Sienna, launched in 2021, aimed to blend SUV styling with minivan functionality. It featured a bold front end, re-engineered door hinges, and a sleek profile with 17-inch to 20-inch wheels, depending on the trim. Inside, the Sienna offered a spacious and cleverly designed cabin with ample storage, comfortable seating, and a versatile third-row bench that could be easily stowed away.

The 2022 Honda Passport, on the other hand, shared its platform with the Honda Ridgeline, Odyssey, and Pilot, giving it a familiar look and feel. The Passport's new nose design aimed to provide a tougher, more rugged appearance, especially in the TrailSport trim, which targeted off-road enthusiasts. The TrailSport featured unique 18-inch wheels, a roof rack, and simulated skid plates, enhancing its SUV appeal. Inside, the Passport boasted a spacious and well-assembled interior with quality materials, orange contrast stitching, and ample storage options. The rear seats offered plenty of room and comfort, making it a practical choice for families and road trips.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna carried over its hybrid powertrain from the previous year, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, while all-wheel drive (AWD) was 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's electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) offered smooth and efficient power delivery, with selectable drive modes (Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport) for different driving conditions. The Sienna's handling was surprisingly good for a minivan, thanks to its Toyota Next Generation Architecture (TNGA) platform, which provided a comfortable and stable ride. The Sienna Hybrid's fuel economy was impressive, with EPA ratings of 36 mpg city/highway/combined for FWD models and 35 mpg city/highway/combined for AWD models.

The 2022 Honda Passport retained its 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Passport offered both FWD and AWD options, with the latter featuring Honda's Intelligent Variable Torque Management Four (i-VTM4) system. This system could deliver up to 70 percent of the engine's power to a single rear wheel when needed, enhancing traction and stability. The Passport's fuel economy was rated at 22 mpg combined for FWD models and 21 mpg combined for AWD models. The TrailSport trim, with its standard AWD, averaged 21.3 mpg in various driving conditions. The Passport's driving dynamics were commendable, with satisfying acceleration, firm and communicative ride, and athletic handling. However, the brakes could heat up and vibrate during mountain descents, which was a concern for some drivers.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was designed to be a family workhorse, capable of carrying 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 also had a 3,500-pound towing capacity. The third-row bench could be easily stowed away, and each row had ample storage cubbies and cupholders. Power-operated sliding doors and tailgate with foot-motion triggers added convenience for busy families.

The 2022 Honda Passport offered easy access with large doors and a low step-in height. The front seats were large and comfortable, with adjustable armrests and good thigh support. Leather upholstery and heated front seats were standard, with ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats available in the Elite trim. The rear seats provided plenty of room and comfort, with large side windows creating an open and airy feel. The Passport's storage options were plentiful, including a massive center console bin and various door panel shelves and cupholders. The cargo space measured 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 77.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down, making it a practical choice for families and road trips.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna came equipped with a 9-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and multiple USB ports. However, it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which was a notable omission. The Sienna offered a range of telematics services, including Safety Connect, Remote Connect, Service Connect, and AT&T WiFi Connect. Higher trim levels featured a 12-speaker JBL audio system, a rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display, and a head-up display. The digital rearview mirror and Smart Key System added convenience and safety.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The TrailSport trim added a navigation system, while the Elite trim featured a 10-speaker premium sound system and HondaLink connected services with a WiFi hotspot. The Passport's infotainment system was functional but could benefit from an upgrade. The lack of a stereo tuning knob and the clunky navigation system were drawbacks, but the wireless smartphone charging was a welcome feature.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna received top safety ratings, including a Top Safety Pick+ 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 had 10 airbags, multiple LATCH child-seat connectors, a rear-seat reminder system, and tire-pressure monitoring with an inflator kit.

The 2022 Honda Passport came with the Honda Sensing suite, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high-beam headlights, a rear-seat reminder system, and a seatbelt reminder system. However, some of the driver aids were less refined, with the lane-departure warning and lane-centering assist functions being particularly intrusive. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA in most categories but earned four stars for front passenger protection in a frontal-impact collision and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave the Passport top ratings in most respects but rated it as Acceptable for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.