2022 Toyota Sienna vs 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2022 Toyota Sienna took its position in the minivan market with a design that tried to incorporate SUV-like elements. For decades, Toyota stayed committed to the minivan even as competitors like Ford, General Motors, and others exited the market. Debuting in 1998 and evolving through multiple generations, the Sienna had its fourth iteration launched in 2021. This version aimed at providing a more assertive and robust profile to blend the practicality of a minivan with a lean towards the SUV aesthetics. The Sienna's appearance was instantly recognizable by its sliding side doors, yet Toyota managed to innovate by re-engineering the door hinges and sliders to create a seamless look. It featured a macho front end, styling elements integrated into the rear fender well, and a sporty stance, especially with the upper trim levels sporting 18-inch or 20-inch wheels.

Inside, the Sienna’s cabin was designed to avoid the typical minivan feel. It boasted clever storage solutions in the front, second, and third rows, making it an ideal family hauler. Practical features included myriad storage spaces like the under-console area, big door pockets, and abundant cup holders—up to 16 in total depending on trim. The seating offered comfort and versatility with available second-row captain’s chairs equipped with ottomans and a spacious three-across bench in the third row. The third row featured a 60/40-split bench that stowed away neatly into the floor, while the second row slid up to 25 inches for easy access.

In comparison, the 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid made a significant departure from its previous iterations with a bolder and more assertive design. The new model was 2.5 inches longer and half an inch wider, giving it a more muscular and robust stance. Retaining the classic D-pillar taillights but with a modern twist, the new CR-V featured three L shapes in each taillight. The rear end adopted a blockier design to complement the bold front fascia, and all CR-V models, including the Hybrid, were equipped with LED headlights and taillights.

For the test drive, the CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring trim was in a deep Canyon River Blue. The Sport models boasted unique styling elements such as black roof rails, mirrors, dual chrome exhaust finishers, and black wheels. The interior followed the design philosophy of the 2022 Civic and 2023 HR-V with a high-quality feel. The honeycomb grille detailing the climate control vents, premium materials, and contrast stitching on the seats and steering wheel added to the upscale ambiance. The interior consistency across Honda’s lineup was notable, providing a coherent and premium experience.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna moved exclusively with a hybrid powertrain, a feature introduced in the 2021 model year. This hybrid system included a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, producing a combined 243 horsepower. The default configuration was FWD, with AWD available on all trims. The AWD system featured a separate electric motor for the rear wheels, adding 54 hp and 89 lb-ft of torque, simplifying the mechanical setup. The Sienna used an electronically controlled CVT, offering a smooth and efficient power delivery, with four selectable drive modes: Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport.

One of the most compelling aspects of the Sienna was its fuel efficiency. The FWD models boasted an impressive EPA rating of 36 mpg city/highway/combined, while the AWD models achieved 35 mpg in these categories. The vehicle's handling benefited from the Toyota Next Generation Architecture (TNGA) platform, offering minimal body roll and a comfortable highway ride. Additionally, Toyota provided a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty for the Sienna’s 288-volt nickel-metal-hydride battery pack, which was strategically placed under the front seats.

On the other hand, the 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid combined a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a two-motor hybrid-electric system, generating 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. This setup made it the most powerful CR-V to date. The introduction of a fourth drive mode—Snow—joined the existing Sport, Normal, and Econ modes, enhancing the CR-V’s versatility. The hybrid could reach speeds up to 115 mph, with improved responsiveness and a towing capacity of up to 1,000 lbs.

Honda’s new Real Time AWD system allowed up to 50% of engine torque to be sent to the rear wheels, improving traction and handling. The inclusion of a hill-descent control system and a "B" shifter position further enhanced the CR-V’s driving dynamics by optimizing regenerative braking and offering a quasi-one-pedal driving experience. This model also offered impressive fuel efficiency, particularly with the new FWD hybrid variant achieving 43 mpg city, 36 highway, and 40 combined.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna showcased itself as a utilitarian family vehicle capable of carrying a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. The sliding second row added flexibility for loading, making it easy to manage cargo. Cargo capacities were substantial: 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101 cubic feet behind the front row. The Sienna also offered a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. Practical features included power-operated side sliding doors and rear tailgate with foot-motion triggers for hands-free operation, enhancing ease of access.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid benefitted from its increased dimensions, resulting in enhanced interior volume. The newer model provided 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 76.5 cubic feet with them folded, which was a notable improvement over its predecessor and comparable to its competitors. The Sport Touring trim featured a hands-free power tailgate and wide-opening rear doors, designed for easy access to the rear seating area and a more convenient LATCH system for child seats. Rear seat legroom saw an increase, making it comfortable for taller passengers. The front cubby was large enough to hold two smartphones side by side, while the vehicle offered eight cupholders and a traditionally designed console for best-in-class storage.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was packed with standard and available technological features. A 9-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM was standard, though it lacked wireless capabilities for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It came with multiple USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, and telematics services like Safety Connect and Remote Connect for higher trims. Higher trims offered a 12-speaker JBL audio system, and an available rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display added to the family-friendly nature. The digital rearview mirror and head-up display in higher trims increased visibility and convenience, ensuring a safer driving experience.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid also came well-equipped, reflecting Honda’s understanding of consumer preferences for physical buttons on crucial controls. The Sport Touring trim sported a 9-inch touchscreen with a volume knob, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Sirius XM, HD radio, and a Bose Premium audio system. The Sport trim, while still well-equipped, offered the wired versions of CarPlay and Android Auto and slightly fewer tech features. Honda introduced a smart navigation system in the Sport Touring model, which optimized fuel efficiency based on the planned route.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna had a proven safety record with a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS and a five-star rating from NHTSA. Equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, it featured adaptive cruise control, Lane Tracing Assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. It boasted 10 airbags, multiple LATCH connectors, a rear-seat reminder system, and tire-pressure monitoring. This suite of features contributed to the Sienna’s overall safety, making it a reliable choice for families.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid raised the bar with the Honda Sensing suite standard across all trims, including improved adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, collision mitigation, and road-departure mitigation systems. New for 2023 were traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition, low-speed braking control for higher trims, and a parking sensor system. The CR-V retained its Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS and five-star rating from NHTSA. Enhanced safety features included updated airbags, improved visibility, and a stiffer structure, providing comprehensive protection.