2023 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Volvo XC90

Volvo transformed significantly from its boxy origins of the 1970s, '80s, and '90s to embrace a more luxurious and upscale aura by 2022. The 2022 Volvo XC90 stood as the brand's flagship SUV, riding on the advanced Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform, signaling its modern evolution. With its sleek roofline and pronounced wheel arches, the XC90 exuded athleticism while its snub nose evoked the classic upright grille of older Volvo models. The "Thor's Hammer" LED details in the headlights added a playful yet distinctive touch, proudly showcasing its Swedish heritage.

The interior of the XC90 was akin to a lavish Scandinavian home, featuring natural wood and metal trims that exuded authenticity. Luxurious details like the crystal gear selector and sliding wood tambor cover underscored its high-end status. Volvo's commitment to a leather-free future by 2030 was notable; however, the 2022 XC90 still offered Nappa leather seats alongside a tailored wool blend option. The leather seats were a blessing during hot, humid test days, suggesting potential buyers compare both interior options.

On the flip side, Toyota aimed to revitalize the minivan's image with the 2023 Sienna, moving away from the traditional minivan aesthetics. Mimicking a Japanese bullet train, the Sienna's front-end design sought to offer a fresh, futuristic look. The minivan featured wheels ranging from 18 to 20 inches, depending on the trim, with the highest trims getting the 20-inch options.

The Sienna was available in multiple trims including LE, XLE, sporty XSE, Limited, and Platinum—plus a special 25th Anniversary Edition. The XLE trim emerged as a practical choice for families, equipped with standard LED fog lights, power-sliding doors, and a power liftgate. The interior boasted high-quality brown leather upholstery and appealing wood-grain accents, particularly in the higher Platinum trim. The Sienna could seat seven or eight passengers, with LE and XLE facilitating the larger capacity. The eight-seater even supported three-across car seats in the middle row, appreciating its family-friendly design.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three distinct powertrains to cater to various driving preferences. The T5 model came with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 model went a step further by incorporating supercharging, increasing the output to 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The pinnacle of XC90's powertrains was the T8 plug-in hybrid, combining a supercharged and turbocharged gasoline engine with an electric motor, delivering a combined 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque.

In terms of drive configurations, the T5 models were front-wheel drive (FWD) with an all-wheel-drive (AWD) option, while the T6 and T8 models came exclusively with AWD. All models employed a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy varied, with the T5 FWD achieving 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway/25 mpg combined, while the AWD version offered slightly lower numbers. The T6 AWD recorded 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway/22 mpg combined. The T8 hybrid excelled with 27 mpg combined on gasoline and an impressive 55 MPGe, boasting an 18-mile electric range. The extended-range variant offered better figures with 66 MPGe and a 36-mile electric range.

The XC90's driving experience was notable for its controlled handling and minimal body roll. The T8 Inscription extended-range model particularly impressed with its responsive acceleration, thanks to the electric motor's torque delivery. Despite not being a high-performance SUV, the XC90 was enjoyable to drive.

Conversely, the 2023 Toyota Sienna adopted a hybrid-only powertrain after its 2020 redesign. Its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine coupled with front and rear electric motors (for AWD models) produced a combined 245 horsepower. While this power output seemed modest compared to competitors, the Sienna compensated with its nimble chassis and light steering. The continuously variable transmission (CVT), however, detracted from the driving experience with its tendency to hover in high revs and produce uninspiring engine noise.

Despite the lackluster acceleration, the Sienna excelled in urban settings, thanks to its maneuverable nature and impressive turning radius. The Sienna offered multiple drive modes like EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport, though the Normal mode was the most practical. EV mode struggled to keep the gas engine off, while Eco extended gear ratios excessively. Sport mode, albeit not transformative, offered a slight performance boost.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered versatile seating options with six- and seven-passenger configurations. The third-row seating was suitable for children but uncomfortable for adults due to limited legroom and support. Cargo capacity was substantial: 15.9 cubic feet behind the third row, extending to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 85.7 cubic feet with both rows down. The XC90 could tow between 4,000 and 5,000 pounds, adequate for light towing tasks.

Interior storage was abundant, with various pockets, compartments, and a spacious glove compartment. The panoramic moonroof enhanced the cabin's airy feel. The climate control system proved efficient during hot and humid conditions, reinforcing the XC90’s suitability for diverse weather scenarios.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled with its ingenious interior storage solutions like the open cubby below the center console and a long shelf stretching across the dashboard. The Sienna offered an impressive 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 75.2 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a total of 101 cubic feet. However, this fell short of some competitors due to the non-removable middle-row seats.

The Sienna’s three-row setup could truly accommodate adults in the third row, thanks to the adjustable middle-row seats with extending ottomans. The sliding feature of the middle row facilitated easier access to the third row.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, offering tablet-like functionality with a nine-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen. The system supported familiar smartphone gestures, though it sometimes exhibited lag and sluggishness. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, with the former providing a better overall experience. A 12.3-inch digital instrument panel offered customizable configurations. The Advanced package included a head-up display, 360-degree camera, and advanced air cleaner.

Entertainment options included a standard Harman Kardon Premium Sound system, with an optional $3,200 Bowers & Wilkins upgrade delivering exceptional surround sound. USB ports catered to both front and rear passengers, and a WiFi hotspot was available with a trial subscription.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna, however, featured older infotainment technology with a nine-inch touchscreen. Core features like SiriusXM, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were present, but the system required wired connections for smartphone integration. The interface could be clunky, and accessing Android Auto involved navigating through the menu each time. Despite this, the physical buttons provided a user-friendly alternative to touchscreen controls. The sound system, a 12-speaker JBL, delivered satisfactory audio quality.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 upheld Volvo’s longstanding safety legacy with an extensive list of features. These included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping aid, and road-sign recognition. Volvo’s Pilot Assist integrated several of these functions to offer a semi-autonomous driving experience under certain conditions. The XC90 earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.

Similarly, the 2023 Toyota Sienna was equipped with robust safety technologies such as automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. These features were particularly valuable in a family-oriented vehicle. The Sienna received a five-star rating from the NHTSA, and the similar 2022 model earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.