2022 Toyota Sienna vs 2023 Toyota Venza

The 2022 Toyota Sienna occupied a unique niche in the automotive market, standing firm as a minivan while many competitors shifted focus to SUVs. Toyota's commitment to the minivan segment was evident through its history, from the original Van in the 1980s to the innovative Previa and the subsequent generations of the Sienna. The fourth-generation Sienna, launched in 2021, embraced an SUV-like style while retaining its minivan identity, thanks to features like sliding side doors and a macho front end. The interior was designed to avoid the typical minivan feel, offering an uncluttered front cabin, ample storage, and comfortable seating across all rows, including available second-row captain’s chairs and a spacious third-row bench.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Venza was a midsize crossover SUV that stood out with its sleek and sculpted design, resembling a Lexus more than a typical Toyota. The Venza's contoured body and harmonious curves gave it a refined look, avoiding the awkward bulges seen in other Toyota SUVs. Inside, the Venza borrowed elements from the RAV4 but elevated the experience with higher-quality materials and a more luxurious feel. The dashboard and center stack were well-integrated, and the cabin featured soft-touch surfaces and better-integrated controls, approaching the level of luxury found in Lexus vehicles. Overall, the Venza was one of the best-looking vehicles in Toyota's lineup, both inside and out.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna carried over its hybrid powertrain from the previous year, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. This setup, similar to the Highlander and RAV4 hybrids, offered both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options. The AWD system added a separate electric motor for the rear wheels, providing 54 hp and 89 pound-feet of torque. The Sienna used an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and featured four selectable drive modes: Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport. The handling was surprisingly good for a minivan, thanks to the Toyota Next Generation Architecture (TNGA) platform, and the Sienna Hybrid achieved impressive fuel economy ratings of 36 mpg city/highway/combined for FWD models and 35 mpg for AWD models.

The 2023 Toyota Venza also featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid system, producing a combined 219 horsepower. The Venza's powertrain included electric motor/generators paired with a 1.6-kilowatt-hour nickel metal hydride battery pack, and a CVT sent power to the front wheels while a separate electric motor powered the rear wheels for AWD. The Venza's acceleration was smooth and responsive, reaching 60 mph in 7.5 seconds. The ride quality favored comfort over sporty handling, with a smooth and compliant ride that absorbed most road imperfections. However, the steering was light and lacked precision, making maneuverability a bit challenging in tight spaces.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was designed to be a family workhorse, capable of carrying a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. The sliding second row added flexibility for loading cargo, 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 had a 3,500-pound towing capacity. The standard 60/40-split third-row bench stored away easily, and each row featured storage cubbies and cupholders. Power-operated sliding doors and a rear tailgate with foot-motion triggers added convenience for families.

The 2023 Toyota Venza offered spacious front seats and a feeling of openness enhanced by large windows and a panoramic sunroof. The Star Gaze panoramic roof could turn opaque at the touch of a button, adding a touch of luxury. Rear seats were comfortable for average adults, with ample legroom and foot room. However, the Venza's cargo capacity was limited to 28.8 cubic feet, significantly less than competitors like the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The Venza was not rated for towing, but it excelled in holding smaller personal items with features like a wireless phone charger, well-sized cupholders, and large door pockets.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna came with a 9-inch touchscreen standard across all grades, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and multiple USB ports. However, it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sienna offered a range of telematics services, including Safety Connect, Remote Connect, and Service Connect, along with a three-month trial of AT&T WiFi Connect. Higher trim levels featured a 12-speaker JBL audio system and an available rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. A head-up display and digital rearview mirror were available on top trims, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2023 Toyota Venza featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a wireless charging pad. The base LE trim had an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, while higher trims offered a 12.3-inch display with sharp graphics and a logical menu structure. A Wi-Fi connection with remote vehicle monitoring and control was available, and the top Limited trim included a one-year trial of Drive Connect services. The base audio system had six speakers, with a nine-speaker JBL premium audio system available on higher trims, providing enhanced sound quality.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna received top safety ratings, including a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. The standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite included adaptive cruise control, lane tracing assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and traffic sign recognition. The Sienna also featured 10 airbags, multiple LATCH child-seat connectors, a rear-seat reminder system, and tire-pressure monitoring with an inflator kit.

The 2023 Toyota Venza also received high safety ratings, with five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. The Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ suite included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure assist, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and a traffic sign reader. Higher trims added features like parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, a head-up display, and a digital rearview mirror. The advanced safety features performed well, with no false alarms reported.