2023 Toyota RAV4 vs 2022 Toyota Sienna

The 2022 Toyota Sienna occupied a distinctive spot in the minivan segment, which had seen a significant decline due to the popularity of SUVs. Unlike many of its competitors who had bowed out of the minivan market, Toyota remained committed. Toyota's journey in the minivan sector started with the Van in 1984, succeeded by the mid-engined Previa, and later the first Sienna in 1998. Over decades, the Sienna evolved through multiple generations, with the latest, fourth-generation model debuting in 2021.

The 2022 Sienna aimed to emulate SUV styling cues while still embracing its minivan identity. A prominent front end contributed to its assertive appearance. Toyota engineered the sliding door hinges to be hidden below the window frame, imparting a streamlined look. Upgraded trim levels featured 18-inch to 20-inch wheels, enhancing its stance further. Inside, the Sienna defied the typical minivan stigma with an uncluttered front cabin design. It provided ample storage solutions, including a spacious under-console area, large door pockets, and up to 16 cup holders.

Second- and third-row passengers enjoyed roomy, comfortable seating, with captain’s chairs available as an option for the second row. The rear row, a 60/40-split bench, folded neatly into the floor. With the second-row seats capable of sliding up to 25 inches, accessing the third row was effortless.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 was offered across six trim levels, ranging from the budget-friendly LE to the top-tier Limited, featuring ventilated seats. The Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims retained a distinctive two-part front design introduced in 2019. The Adventure trim sported a more aggressive grille, blacked-out wheels, a faux skid plate, and beefy black cladding around the wheel arches, though its rugged styling was more for show than actual off-roading.

Inside the Adventure trim, the RAV4 featured orange accents, contrast-stitched seats, and an otherwise basic center console punctuated by orange highlights. A frameless rearview mirror added a touch of elegance, but the overall interior leaned more pedestrian.

Higher-level trims offered synthetic leather upholstery and varying degrees of adjustability, including heated and ventilated power-adjustable seats for the driver and passenger. Rear passengers could opt for additional comforts like heated seats.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna carried over its hybrid-exclusive powertrain from the previous year. It combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, delivering a total output of 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available across all trims. The AWD system included a rear electric motor producing 54 hp and 89 lb-ft of torque.

The Sienna's drivetrain utilized an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT), which offered four selectable drive modes—Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport. Its handling capabilities were bolstered by Toyota’s Next Generation Architecture (TNGA) platform, providing a responsive steering and suspension system. This setup minimized body roll, ensuring a comfortable highway cruise.

Fuel efficiency was a highlight for the Sienna. The EPA rated the FWD models at 36 mpg across city, highway, and combined cycles, while AWD models achieved 35 mpg in each category. The hybrid battery came with a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty, underlining its reliability.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4, on the other hand, came equipped with a single engine option for its gas-powered variants. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produced 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. While efficient, this setup didn’t excel in acceleration, leaning more towards "unobjectionable" performance.

FWD was standard, though AWD was available on all trims, becoming standard on Adventure and TRD Off-Road. These AWD variants included a Snow Mode to enhance traction. Despite the RAV4 Adventure’s rugged pretensions, it wasn’t as capable as the TRD Off-Road variant, which boasted a TRD-tuned suspension, unique shocks, and jounce bumpers for improved off-road performance.

The 2022 Sienna proved its worth as a practical family hauler. It could house a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. The second-row seats slid to modify the cargo area, with capacities measuring 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101 cubic feet when the first two rows were folded. Additionally, the Sienna supported a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds.

Every row offered storage cubbies and cupholders, with all side doors featuring bottle holders. The power-operated sliding doors and rear tailgate facilitated easy access, especially with foot-motion triggers for hands-free operation.

The 2023 RAV4 accommodated up to five passengers with 37.7 inches of headroom in the front and 39.5 inches in the back, providing more rear headroom than the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester. Legroom in the RAV4 matched the CR-V’s 41 inches in the front but fell short in the rear at 37.8 inches compared to the competition.

The RAV4 offered 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded, placing it between the compact but lesser Mazda CX-5 and the more spacious Honda CR-V.

The 2022 Sienna came well-equipped with technology. A standard 9-inch touchscreen supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM, accompanied by multiple USB ports throughout the cabin. While wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were absent, the Sienna offered telematics services like Safety Connect and Remote Connect for a trial period.

Higher trim levels boasted a JBL audio system, rear-seat entertainment with an 11.6-inch display, and a head-up display in Platinum trims. The digital rearview mirror improved rear visibility, especially useful when the rear seats were occupied or entertainment screens were down.

The 2023 RAV4 significantly upgraded its infotainment system, introducing an 8.0-inch standard touchscreen, expandable to 10.5 inches on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto became standard across the lineup, effectively modernizing its tech suite. Over-the-air updates ensured the system remained current.

An 11-speaker JBL Premium audio system was optional, enhancing the in-car audio experience. A new 7-inch driver-information display was standard, with a 12.3-inch version available on higher trims, except the Adventure and XLE Premium.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was lauded for its safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 offered adaptive cruise control, lane tracing assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. The inclusion of 10 airbags and multiple LATCH child-seat connectors underscored its family-oriented safety credentials.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came with the TSS 2.5 suite, enhancing its safety features. It included lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic emergency braking, high-beam LED headlights, and adaptive cruise control. The RAV4 also garnered a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for 2023, reflecting its robust crash-test performance and comprehensive safety aids.