2022 Toyota Sienna vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2022 Toyota Sienna stood out in a market where minivans were becoming increasingly rare, as many manufacturers shifted focus to SUVs. Despite this trend, Toyota remained committed to the minivan segment, evolving the Sienna over the years. The latest model, launched in 2021, embraced a more SUV-like style while retaining its minivan identity, evident from its sliding side doors. The Sienna featured a bold front end and cleverly concealed door hinges, giving it a sleek profile. It offered a range of wheel sizes, from 17-inch on base models to 20-inch on higher trims. Inside, the Sienna avoided the typical minivan feel with a clean design and ample storage, including an under-console area and numerous cup holders. The spacious interior accommodated second-row captain’s chairs with ottomans and a third-row bench that folded into the floor, providing flexibility for families.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Escape adopted a more European design language, moving away from the blocky aesthetics of its predecessors. The refreshed model featured a traditional front end with a prominent Ford logo and LED light bar. The Escape offered various trim levels, with the ST-Line Elite showcasing 19-inch wheels and a sleek design. Inside, the Escape boasted diamond-stitched leather upholstery, though it felt somewhat hard. The seats were comfortable, and the 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat provided ease of use. The interior was dominated by plastic materials, some of which felt cost-cutting, but the overall design was practical and user-friendly.

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. It offered both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options, with the latter adding a separate electric motor for the rear wheels. The Sienna used an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT) and featured four drive modes: Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport. Its handling was surprisingly agile for a minivan, thanks to the Toyota Next Generation Architecture (TNGA) platform. The Sienna excelled in fuel efficiency, achieving 36 mpg in city, highway, and combined driving for FWD models, and slightly lower for AWD models. The hybrid battery was strategically placed under the front seats, and it came with a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered multiple powertrain options, including a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine was available with both FWD and AWD. Higher trims featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, exclusively with AWD. While the Escape's performance was adequate, it was not a performance crossover. The suspension was soft, providing comfort on rough roads, and the brakes offered predictable stopping power. The steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness found in some competitors.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was designed as a family workhorse, capable of accommodating a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. Its sliding second row added flexibility for cargo loading, with 33.5 cubic feet of space 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 power-operated sliding doors and tailgate, with foot-motion triggers, provided convenience for families.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered comfortable seating and excellent ergonomics, with well-positioned armrests and convenient cupholders. However, it fell short in cargo space compared to some competitors, with 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. Passenger space was slightly limited in the rear, but headroom was impressive, and the front-seat backs were designed to maximize space for rear passengers.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna featured a 9-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. It offered various telematics services, Bluetooth connectivity, and optional Qi wireless charging. Higher trims included a 12-speaker JBL audio system and a rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. A head-up display was available on Platinum models, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 13.2-inch screen on higher trims. The system was intuitive, with easy navigation between applications. However, it was occasionally slow to respond, and the volume knob placement was inconvenient. Despite these minor issues, the technology package was comprehensive and user-friendly.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna received top safety ratings, including a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering adaptive cruise control, lane tracing assist, forward collision warning, and more. The Sienna also featured 10 airbags, LATCH connectors, and a rear-seat reminder system.

The 2023 Ford Escape earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but did not receive a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS due to a Marginal score in the side-impact test. It included Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite, with features like forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The optional Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera.