2023 Jeep Wrangler vs 2022 Toyota Sienna

The 2022 Toyota Sienna occupied an interesting niche in the automotive market, serving the needs of growing families in a segment largely overshadowed by the rise of SUVs. Unlike competitors such as Ford, General Motors, Mazda, Nissan, and Volkswagen, which abandoned minivans in the United States market, Toyota remained steadfast. The Sienna, which debuted in 1998, evolved through several generations, culminating in the well-rounded 2021 model.

By 2022, the Sienna presented itself with the robustness of an SUV. Its updated design didn’t mask its minivan essence—sliding side doors made that clear—but it introduced a macho front end. Toyota also redesigned the door hinges and slides to hide the slider channel below the rear side window frame, giving the rear doors clean styling details integrated into the rear fender well. With a confident profile and an assertive stance, the latest Sienna came equipped with 17-inch wheels on base models, stepping up to 18- and even 20-inch wheels on higher trims.

Inside, the Sienna adeptly avoided the stereotypical minivan/school bus front cabin feel. It featured an uncluttered design with abundant, cleverly planned storage spaces. The under-console open storage area, expansive door pockets, and numerous cup holders (up to 16) showed Toyota’s thoughtful design. The second- and third-row passengers enjoyed comfortable, roomy seating, with available second-row captain’s chairs featuring ottomans and spacious three-across benches in the third row. The third row, a 60/40-split bench, could easily store away into the floor.

Switching gears to the 2023 Jeep Wrangler, the vehicle exuded ruggedness with its solid, unyielding lines and iconic seven-slot grille. Available in two-door and four-door Unlimited versions, the Wrangler allowed for doors-off driving for an immersive outdoor experience. The optional Dual-Door Group offered half doors for improved visibility while maintaining a safety layer, and the windshield could fold down for a teeth-in-the-wind experience.

The Wrangler’s robust design included wide fenders, round headlights, and old-school exterior hood latches. At the rear, the tailgate swung out, and the rear glass lifted up for convenient gear access. The new purple paint color, Reign, added flair to the rugged appearance, as did the Earl color—a grey shade with aquamarine highlights.

Inside, practicality ruled with easy-to-clean floor mats and seats, chunky HVAC controls, and a manual transfer case shifter. The dash, free from extraneous doodads, emphasized functionality over luxury, with a body-colored dash and straightforward design elements.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna carried over its hybrid powertrain from 2021, pairing a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce a combined 243 horsepower. This powertrain brought Toyota’s hybrid expertise to a minivan, echoing the efficiency found in its hybrid sedans and SUVs. Available in FWD and AWD, the latter featured a separate electric motor for the rear wheels, delivering 54 hp and 89 pound-feet of torque with minimal mechanical complexity.

The Sienna used a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) to deliver smooth power and maximize fuel efficiency. Drivers could choose from four selectable drive modes: Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport. Thanks to Toyota Next Generation Architecture (TNGA), the minivan offered better-than-expected handling, minimal body roll, and a comfortable highway ride.

Fuel efficiency was a standout feature, with the FWD models achieving an impressive 36 mpg in city, highway, and combined driving. AWD models trailed slightly, offering 35 mpg across the board. The Sienna’s 288-volt nickel metal-hydride battery pack, located under the front seats, came with a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler catered to off-road enthusiasts with a choice of powerful engines. The standard V6 produced 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, while a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder offered 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Both could be equipped with either an eight-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission.

For torque lovers, the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 provided 260 hp and a staggering 442 lb-ft of torque. The Wrangler Rubicon 392, with its formidable 6.4-liter V8, cranked out 470 hp and an equal amount of torque, emphasizing performance and off-road prowess. The Wrangler 4xe, a plug-in hybrid, combined two electric motors with a 17.3 kWh battery pack for a 21-mile all-electric range.

Our test model, the 392, showcased heart-pounding performance, capable of 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds and equipped with 35-inch BFGoodrich KO2 All-Terrain tires. Its Off-Road Plus mode optimized throttle, shifts, and traction control, making it a capable dune and rock conqueror.

However, on-road performance was compromised by insufficient braking and vague steering. Jeep did not upgrade the brakes for the powerful V8, necessitating cautious and early braking. The steering wheel, while chunkier, lacked precise feedback, hampering driving confidence.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was designed as a family workhorse, ready to transport a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. The sliding second row added flexibility for loading cargo, accessible through the tailgate or side doors. With the second row in its default position, cargo space measured 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101 cubic feet behind the first row, along with a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds.

The third-row bench stored away easily, and all three rows boasted ample storage cubbies and cupholders, with bottle holders in all four side doors. Power-operated sliding doors and rear tailgate, activated by foot-motion triggers, added convenience when hands were full.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Wrangler prioritized off-road functionality over expansive interior space. The front seats were comfortable, with heated options available in higher trims or as part of a cold-weather package. Ventilated seats were not available. Rear seating was tight, particularly in four-door models, with small rear doors making ingress and egress challenging.

Small item storage was limited, with tiny glove box and center console, and a dash bin that risked overheating phones. Larger cargo capacity trailed behind competitors, offering 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. However, the Wrangler made up for it with versatile top options, including a hard top, a Sunrider soft top, and the Sky One-Touch power soft top for quick open-air exposure.

The Wrangler excelled in providing numerous charging points, with USB-A, USB-C, 12-volt outlets, and a 115-volt outlet in the center console, ensuring devices stayed powered during adventures.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was packed with technology features. A 9-inch touchscreen was standard across all trims, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and multiple USB ports. Although it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, each Sienna came with 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 boasted a 12-speaker JBL audio system, while a rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display and HDMI input was available for XLE and above trims. Instrument cluster displays varied by trim, with a head-up display featured in Platinum models. A digital rearview mirror, available in higher trims, offered a clear view when the cabin was full.

For the 2023 Jeep Wrangler, a 7-inch Uconnect touchscreen was standard, with our tester featuring the larger 8.4-inch screen. Uconnect initially appeared complex but revealed an intuitive layout upon closer inspection. Off-road pages provided essential information like power distribution and GPS coordinates.

Despite lacking some modern conveniences like a digital key or extensive over-the-air updates, the Wrangler offered practical tech such as forward-facing cameras and auxiliary switches for aftermarket modifications. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration ensured seamless connectivity.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna boasted strong safety credentials, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite, standard across all trims, included adaptive cruise control, Lane Tracing Assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. Additionally, the Sienna came with 10 airbags, multiple LATCH child seat connectors, and a rear-seat reminder system.

Standard stability and traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, and tire-pressure monitoring were part of Toyota’s Star Safety System. A spare tire option and the convenient location of the spare in the cargo space added to the Sienna’s safety appeal.

Unlike the Sienna, the 2023 Jeep Wrangler lacked comprehensive standard safety features. It included a mandatory rearview camera, electronic roll mitigation, and stability control, with advanced features like blind-spot monitoring and forward collision warning only available in higher trims or as part of an option package. Lane-keeping assist was notably absent.

The IIHS ratings showed a mix of Good and Marginal scores, with Poor rankings for headlights on some trims. The NHTSA awarded a four-star frontal crash test rating and a three-star rollover rating, with no side crash rating available.