2022 Toyota Sienna vs 2023 Cadillac XT5

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, starting with the original Van in 1984, followed by the Previa, and then the Sienna in 1998. The fourth-generation Sienna, launched in 2021, continued to embrace its minivan identity while incorporating SUV-like styling cues. The Sienna featured a macho front end, re-engineered door hinges, and a sleek profile with 17-inch wheels on base models, upgrading to 20-inch wheels on higher trims. The interior was designed to avoid the typical minivan feel, offering an uncluttered front cabin, ample storage, and comfortable seating for second- and third-row passengers.

In contrast, the 2023 Cadillac XT5 aimed to deliver affordable luxury but fell short in some areas. The cabin, while spacious and intuitively laid out, featured materials that seemed more fitting for a Buick or a top-trim Chevy rather than a Cadillac. Despite this, the XT5 offered good headroom and legroom in both rows, with an available panoramic sunroof enhancing the airy feel. The XT5's cargo space was above average, with 30 cubic feet behind the second-row seats. Cadillac retained many physical controls, which made the cabin feel more intuitive but somewhat dated. The XT5's interior, though functional, lacked the unique and memorable design elements found in some of its competitors.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna carried over its hybrid powertrain from 2021, 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 on all trims. The AWD system added 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), offering four selectable drive modes: Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport. The Sienna's handling was surprisingly good for a minivan, thanks to its Toyota Next Generation Architecture (TNGA) platform, which minimized body roll and provided a comfortable highway ride. 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 2023 Cadillac XT5 came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The XT5 offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options. Acceleration from 0-60 mph was in the high-seven-second range with the base engine, which could sound rough under heavy throttle. An available V6 engine produced 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, providing better performance but still lacking driving excitement. The XT5's handling was decent, but ride quality suffered on rough roads, with noticeable vibration and noise in the cabin. The XT5's fuel economy ranged from 22 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined for the turbo-four FWD model, to 18/25/21 mpg city/highway/combined for the V6 AWD model.

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 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 towing capacity. The standard 60/40-split third-row bench easily stored away into the floor, and each row featured storage cubbies and cupholders. Power-operated sliding doors and tailgate with foot-motion triggers added convenience for families.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's interior featured more hard plastics and cheaper materials than expected, but Cadillac incorporated useful storage spaces, including multiple places to stash small items and a deep center console storage bin. The glove box was small but functional. Front-seat ergonomics were good, with easy-to-reach controls. Rear passengers had access to large seatback pockets and a fold-down armrest with cupholders. The XT5 offered 30 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 63 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The wide liftgate opening and low load floor made accessing the cargo area easy. The XT5's cargo space was competitive in its class, surpassing models like the Porsche Macan and Genesis GV70.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna came with a 9-inch touchscreen standard across all trims, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and multiple USB ports. However, it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sienna included a one-year trial of Safety Connect and Remote Connect, a 10-year trial of Service Connect, and a three-month trial of AT&T WiFi Connect. Higher trims offered a 12-speaker JBL audio system and a rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. A color multi-information display in the instrument panel varied by trim, with a 10-inch head-up display available on Platinum models. Limited and Platinum trims could also upgrade to a digital rearview mirror.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 featured the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and dual-zone climate controls. The system was intuitive and responsive, with physical buttons for climate control and steering wheel functions. Cadillac offered a Bose premium audio system with 14 speakers, wireless charging, and navigation. The XT5's infotainment system was competitive in its segment, though not as advanced as Volvo's Google-based system. The XT5's blend of physical and touch controls provided a user-friendly experience without being overly complicated.

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 featured 10 airbags, multiple LATCH child-seat connectors, a rear-seat reminder system, tire-pressure monitoring, and an inflator kit. A spare tire was available, mounted in the cargo space wall for safety and convenience.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's last full crash test results were for the 2021 model, which earned top "Good" scores in all crash test areas but missed a Top Safety Pick award due to "Marginal" headlight scores and an "Advanced" rating for vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, parking sensors, lane-keep assist, front pedestrian braking, a vibrating safety alert seat, and a rear-seat reminder. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking, and a rear camera mirror.