2022 Acura RDX vs 2023 Toyota Sienna

The 2022 Acura RDX presented subtle styling changes inspired by its larger sibling, the MDX. These updates included modifications to the grille surround and front and rear bumper styling, along with new wheel designs and paint colours. The limited-production RDX PMC Edition returned with exclusive Long Beach Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid white interior, named after Honda’s Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio. The RDX lineup offered a range of trims, from the base model to the A-Spec Platinum Elite and the PMC Edition, with starting prices ranging from $45,800 to $61,500, excluding a destination charge. The A-Spec Platinum Elite package, priced at $60,375 in Canada, justified its cost with high-quality interior materials, solid build quality, and a quieter cabin, although some design elements like the vertical air inlets were less appealing.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna aimed to shed its minivan image with a design reminiscent of a Japanese bullet train. Despite its minivan roots, the Sienna offered larger cargo capacity, easy access, and creative interior features, making it a smart choice for families. The Sienna came in various trims, including the base LE, XLE, sporty XSE, and upper-class Limited, with a new 25th Anniversary Special Edition trim for 2023. The Sienna's interior was praised for its high-quality brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents, although some features were not available in Canada. With seating for seven or eight passengers, the Sienna's middle row could accommodate three car seats, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Acura RDX was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder VTEC engine, delivering 272 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque between 1,600 rpm and 4,500 rpm. This powertrain, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and paddle shifters, provided an enjoyable driving experience, although fuel consumption averaged 11.4 L/100 km, higher than the rated 10.3 L/100 km. The RDX featured Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, capable of delivering up to 70 percent of the engine’s power to a single rear wheel, enhancing its driving dynamics. The revised Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) and adaptive-damping suspension offered a smoother ride in Comfort mode and greater responsiveness in Sport mode. Despite its dynamic capabilities, the RDX did not qualify for Acura's Type S performance badge, leaving driving enthusiasts to consider German alternatives.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and two front-mounted electric motors, plus a third rear-mounted motor for AWD trims, producing a combined 245 horsepower. While the powertrain was less impressive compared to competitors, the Sienna's chassis and steering were commendable, offering nimble handling and a comfortable highway cruise. The Sienna's light steering feel was ideal for city driving, and its tidy turning radius was a rarity among minivans. The Sienna offered several drive modes, but Normal mode was recommended for the best balance of performance and efficiency. Despite its lacklustre acceleration, the Sienna was genuinely fun to drive for a minivan.

The 2022 Acura RDX, though a compact SUV, provided ample room for four adults and their luggage, with a standard panoramic sunroof enhancing the cabin's spacious feel. The interior featured a sporty driving position and a unique control layout, including the True Touchpad Interface infotainment system. The RDX's front seats were comfortable and supportive, with available ventilation, while the back seat, though less comfortable, offered a flat cargo load floor when folded. The RDX boasted 835 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,668 litres with the rear seats down, and a power liftgate with hands-free operation.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior storage solutions, with ample space for bags and personal items. The Sienna's minivan platform made excellent use of space, offering 949 litres of cargo space behind the third row and up to 2,860 litres with the seats folded. However, the middle row could not be fully removed or folded into the floor, unlike some competitors. The Sienna's second-row captain's chairs were highly functional, with extending ottomans and a long sliding track for added legroom. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard, with ventilated front seats and heated second-row seats available on higher trims.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system, which required a learning curve due to its unique touchpad controller. Despite its complexity, the RDX included Amazon Alexa Built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad. The RDX offered three premium sound systems, with the top-tier ELS Studio 3D surround-sound audio system featuring 16 speakers. A 10.5-inch head-up display was included with the A-Spec Platinum Elite trim.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna used an older infotainment interface, offering core features like SiriusXM, Bluetooth, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but requiring a wired connection. The interface, while functional, felt outdated and clunky. The Sienna's 9-inch touchscreen was complemented by a 12-speaker JBL premium audio system, standard on Limited and available on XSE AWD trims.

The 2022 Acura RDX received structural upgrades for improved side-impact safety, maintaining its Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. New safety features included a rear seatbelt reminder and enhancements to the AcuraWatch suite, which added forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The RDX earned a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA, with four-star frontal-impact and rollover resistance ratings.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna impressed with its standard safety technology, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna earned a five-star crash-test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. While competitors offered additional features like intercom systems and rear-seat cameras, the Sienna focused on essential safety features.