2022 Jeep Wrangler vs 2022 Toyota Sienna

The 2022 Toyota Sienna occupied a unique niche in the automotive market, standing firm as a minivan while many competitors shifted 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 fourth-generation Sienna, launched in 2021, embraced an SUV-like style while maintaining its minivan identity, featuring a macho front end, re-engineered door hinges, and assertive styling details. The interior was designed to avoid the typical minivan feel, offering ample storage, comfortable seating, and a spacious third-row bench that could be easily stowed away.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Wrangler presented a rugged and adventurous look, with options for both two-door and four-door models. Buyers could choose from a variety of powertrains, including a turbocharged four-cylinder, gasoline V6, turbodiesel V6, gas V8, and a plug-in hybrid. The Wrangler came in four core trim levels: Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon, with numerous special editions available. The High Tide special edition, based on the four-door Sport S trim, featured LED exterior lighting, a body-color hardtop, a Gorilla Glass windshield, and the Xtreme Recon package, which included a suspension lift, 35-inch tires, and other off-road enhancements. The Wrangler's interior was basic but durable, with a focus on functionality and off-road capability.

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 was standard, with an all-wheel-drive option available on all trim levels. The Sienna used an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and offered four selectable drive modes: Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport. The handling was surprisingly good for a minivan, thanks to the Toyota Next Generation Architecture (TNGA) platform. The Sienna Hybrid boasted impressive fuel economy, with EPA ratings of 36 mpg city/highway/combined for FWD models and 35 mpg city/highway/combined for AWD models. The 288-volt nickel metal-hydride battery pack was tucked under the front seats, and Toyota offered a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty on the battery.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine with eTorque mild-hybrid electrification, producing 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The eight-speed automatic transmission was a mandatory $4,000 option, and the Selec-Trac full-time 4WD system was also included. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 21 mpg for the Wrangler Unlimited with the eTorque V6, but real-world testing showed an average of 16.8 mpg. The Wrangler's driving experience was unique, with a rough-and-tumble feel, loud cabin noise, and a need for frequent fuel stops. Despite these quirks, the Wrangler offered an immersive and adventurous driving experience, especially with the top and doors removed.

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 maximum towing capacity. The standard 60/40-split third-row bench could be easily stowed away, and the power-operated sliding doors and tailgate with foot-motion triggers added convenience for busy families.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide's raised suspension made entry and exit challenging, especially for shorter or less-limber individuals. The interior featured comfortable seats with durable cloth upholstery, but the driving position was close to the steering wheel and windshield, requiring some acclimation. Visibility was a mixed bag, with excellent views in some areas and compromised views in others. Rear-seat passengers faced similar entry and exit difficulties but found agreeable accommodations once inside. Storage options were limited, with netting on the door panels, a small dashboard tray, and a deep center console box. The tailgate, with its heavy 35-inch spare wheel, required careful handling, and the cargo space measured 31.7 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

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. The Sienna offered a range of telematics services, Bluetooth hands-free and audio streaming, and optional Qi wireless phone charging. Higher trim levels featured a 12-speaker JBL audio system and a rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. The instrument panel included a multi-information display, and Platinum models had a 10-inch color head-up display. Limited and Platinum models could also upgrade to a digital rearview mirror.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide, based on the Sport S trim, had a 7-inch touchscreen display with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The optional Uconnect 8.4 infotainment system offered satellite radio, connected services, and a navigation system, but our test vehicle did not include these upgrades. The Wrangler High Tide featured remote engine starting, satellite radio, passive keyless entry, and single-zone automatic climate control with a new air filtration system. The Cold Weather Group added heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.

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, 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, tire-pressure monitoring, and an inflator kit. A spare tire was available as an option.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide included the Safety Group and Advanced Safety Group. The Safety Group added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors, while the Advanced Safety Group included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Wrangler received a three-star rating for rollover resistance from the NHTSA and Marginal ratings from the IIHS for small overlap crash-test protection and side-impact performance. The Wrangler's safety features were optional rather than standard, and its ratings suggested the need for extra caution while driving.