2022 Toyota Sienna vs 2023 Subaru Outback

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 several generations since its debut in 1998. The latest model embraced a more SUV-like aesthetic while retaining its minivan identity, thanks to its sliding side doors. The Sienna featured a bold front end and cleverly concealed door hinges, giving it a sleek and assertive profile. Inside, the Sienna offered a spacious and practical cabin with ample storage, comfortable seating, and a third-row bench that folded into the floor, making it a versatile choice for families.

In contrast, the 2023 Subaru Outback received a facelift that gave it a more aggressive appearance, with redesigned LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper. The Onyx Edition, with its black wheels and trim, added a touch of sophistication to the Outback's rugged look. The Outback offered six trim levels, with the Onyx Edition now available with both the base and turbocharged powertrains, making it more accessible. The interior of the Touring trim was particularly appealing, featuring premium Nappa leather and a cohesive design. While the Outback's styling changes were subjective, its interior comfort and practicality were undeniable.

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. This setup offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options, with the latter adding a separate electric motor for the rear wheels. The Sienna's electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) provided smooth power delivery and contributed to impressive fuel efficiency, with EPA ratings of 36 mpg combined for FWD models and 35 mpg combined for AWD models. The Sienna's handling was surprisingly agile for a minivan, thanks to its advanced suspension system.

The 2023 Subaru Outback, on the other hand, featured a standard 2.5-liter flat-four engine producing 182 horsepower, paired with a CVT. While the engine delivered adequate performance at lower speeds, it struggled with passing and climbing power, resulting in a less-than-expected fuel economy of 25.6 mpg during testing. For those seeking more power, the Outback XT models offered a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with 260 horsepower, though at the cost of reduced fuel efficiency. The Outback's suspension tuning provided a comfortable ride, and its all-wheel-drive system, combined with X-Mode traction control, made it capable off-road.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior space and versatility, capable of accommodating a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. Its sliding second row added flexibility for cargo loading, with 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 boasted a 3,500-pound towing capacity. Power-operated sliding doors and a rear tailgate with foot-motion triggers added convenience for busy families.

The 2023 Subaru Outback prioritized utility with features like a robust roof rack and flat door sill trim. The Touring trim offered a comfortable interior with power-adjustable seats, premium Nappa leather, and heated front and rear seats. The Outback's cargo space measured 32.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 75.6 cubic feet with the back seat folded down. While the Outback's interior was comfortable and practical, it could benefit from additional storage solutions.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was equipped with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. While it lacked wireless connectivity for these platforms, it offered a range of telematics services and audio system upgrades, including a 12-speaker JBL system on higher trims. A rear-seat entertainment system was available, and a head-up display was standard on Platinum models, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured a Starlink 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system on all trims except the Base. This system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, along with access to Starlink connected services. While the system's usability had improved, the voice recognition system was lacking. Additional technologies included a digital rearview mirror and a front-view camera, though a surround-view camera was not available.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, thanks to its comprehensive suite of safety features. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 included adaptive cruise control, lane tracing assist, forward collision warning, and more. The Sienna also featured 10 airbags and a rear-seat reminder system, making it a safe choice for families.

The 2023 Subaru Outback also earned high safety ratings, with new EyeSight cameras and an electronic brake booster enhancing its safety features. EyeSight included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims offered additional features like automatic emergency steering and a wide-angle mono camera for improved pedestrian detection. While the Outback's safety systems were effective, some aspects of the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist could be improved for a more natural driving experience.