2023 Honda CR-V vs 2022 Toyota Sienna

The 2022 Toyota Sienna occupied a unique space in the automotive market. Despite the skyrocketing popularity of SUVs, Toyota steadfastly continued to manufacture its minivan segment, with the Sienna being a prime example. Originally launched in 1998, the Sienna went through multiple generations, with the latest fourth generation debuting in 2021. The vehicle featured an assertive design, blending the traditional minivan appearance with bold, SUV-like styling. It sported a macho front end, integrated rear fender well details, and managed to hide the sliding door channels under the rear side window frame. Base models came with 17-inch wheels, while upper trim levels boasted 18-inch or even 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Sienna avoided a typical minivan look, focusing on an uncluttered design accompanied by an impressive amount of storage space. Second- and third-row seats were spacious and comfortable, with available captain’s chairs and an easy-to-store third-row bench.

Conversely, the 2023 Honda CR-V took a more conservative yet modern approach. The sixth generation CR-V had a blunt nose, a long hood, and a stretched wheelbase which contributed to its clean, slightly aggressive look. Both the CR-V EX and CR-V EX-L featured 18-inch alloy wheels and dark-tinted rear privacy glass, giving them a uniform appearance from the outside. The interior showcased quality and simplicity, with the EX-L upgrading to leather-wrapped seats, steering wheel, and shift knob. The dashboard design drew inspiration from the latest Civic, incorporating metal mesh trim that neatly divided the dashboard. A digital instrumentation display in both trims added to the high-quality feel, while EX-L models boasted a larger touchscreen infotainment system and extra conveniences like front and rear parking sensors.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna exclusively utilized a hybrid powertrain, making it a standout in its field. The hybrid system combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, yielding a total of 243 horsepower. This vehicle offered both FWD and AWD options, the latter incorporating a separate electric motor for the rear wheels. Sienna's use of a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) contributed to its smooth power delivery and impressive fuel efficiency. The Sienna’s handling was commendable due to Toyota's Next Generation Architecture and independent rear suspension. It achieved remarkable fuel economy ratings — 36 mpg in all driving conditions for FWD models, and 35 mpg for AWD versions.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Honda CR-V EX and EX-L shared a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine from the previous generation, generating 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. This compact SUV also used a CVT, which was its only downside, as the transmission’s droning noise during hard acceleration detracted from the otherwise satisfying driving experience. Despite this, the CR-V offered exceptional ride and handling characteristics, courtesy of its well-tuned suspension, steering, and brakes. Fuel efficiency was another strong point, with our test vehicle averaging 29.1 mpg, slightly above its EPA rating of 29 mpg.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna excelled in cargo capacity and versatility, truly embodying its role as a family workhorse. It could carry a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed, thanks to its spacious interior. The sliding second row added flexibility, allowing luggage and freight to be easily loaded. With the second row in its usual position, the Sienna offered 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and a generous 101 cubic feet behind the first row. It also had a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds.

Honda claimed that the 2023 CR-V was its roomiest edition, although it felt more compact from the driver’s seat. The seating position was relatively low but comfortable, and visibility was excellent. Rear passengers benefited significantly from the spacious second row, which provided ample legroom and support. The cargo area was also generous, boasting 39.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expandable to 76.5 cubic feet with the second row folded down. The CR-V managed to combine function with convenience efficiently.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was loaded with standard and optional technological features. A 9-inch touchscreen was standard across all trims, equipped with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. Higher trims added wireless phone charging, JBL audio systems, and even a rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. However, it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an oversight given the contemporary trend towards cordless connectivity. Safety and remote service trials, multiple USB ports, and power inverters were other notable features.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda CR-V’s technology package varied by trim. The EX featured a 7-inch touchscreen with physical knobs and buttons, while the EX-L upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an eight-speaker sound system. While the CR-V's higher trims offered some exciting tech upgrades, the premium features available in the top-of-the-line Sport Touring Hybrid were not available in lower trims. This limitation meant some excellent features, like Bose sound systems and advanced navigation, were inaccessible unless opting for the highest trim level.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was a safety leader, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from NHTSA. It came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included adaptive cruise control, lane tracing, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure alert, automatic high beams, and traffic sign recognition. Additional safety features included 10 airbags, multiple LATCH points for child seats, and a tire pressure monitoring system.

The 2023 Honda CR-V saw considerable improvements in safety tech as well, bundled under the Honda Sensing suite. It covered essential safety features like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane centering, and more. New to this generation were features like a seatbelt reminder and traffic jam assist. While these systems generally performed well, the lane-centering assist occasionally faltered on complex roads, detracting slightly from the overall user experience. Honda’s advanced ACE body structure and new airbag designs promised excellent crash protection, pending official test results.