2023 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a bold statement with its imposing size and distinctive design elements. Its massive grille, LED daytime running lights, and taillights were scaled to match its substantial frame, reminiscent of classic Cadillac tailfins. The front end, with its tall hood and locomotive-like appearance, set it apart from other GM full-size SUVs. The Escalade offered different trim pieces for "sport" and "luxury" models, with the Luxury and Premium Luxury trims featuring bright exterior accents, while the Sport trim had darkened elements. Despite sharing its body-on-frame architecture with other GM SUVs and trucks, the Escalade maintained its luxury appeal, although its interior design lacked a cohesive theme, with a mix of leather, wood, and some less impressive plastic materials.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna aimed to shed the traditional minivan image with a design inspired by Japanese bullet trains. While it retained the practicality of a minivan, Toyota's effort to modernize its appearance was evident. The Sienna offered a range of trim levels, including the new 25th Anniversary Special Edition, and featured larger wheels on the XSE trim. Inside, the Sienna impressed with its high-quality materials, such as brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents. It provided seating for seven or eight passengers, with the option for three-across car seats in the middle row. The Sienna's interior was designed for functionality, with features like power-sliding doors and a power liftgate, making it a smart choice for families.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain options, both shared with other GM SUVs and trucks. The standard 6.2-litre gasoline V8 delivered 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, while the optional Duramax 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six diesel engine produced 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive in Canada. The Escalade's diesel engine impressed with its smooth power delivery and low torque peak, making it suitable for various driving situations. However, the Escalade's ride quality was less refined, with an unsettled feel and vibrations transmitted through the cabin. Its towing capacity reached 3,629 kilograms with the gasoline engine, slightly less than the Lincoln Navigator's capability.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna 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 all-wheel drive trims. This setup produced a combined 245 horsepower, which felt underwhelming for the Sienna's size and weight. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) contributed to a lackluster acceleration experience. However, the Sienna's chassis and steering were commendable, offering nimble handling and a comfortable ride. The Sienna's light steering made it easy to maneuver in urban settings, and its drive modes, including EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport, provided some flexibility, though Normal mode was recommended for most situations.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade shared its platform with other GM full-size SUVs, resulting in a spacious interior. It offered the most first-row and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs, with second-row captain's chairs and a power split-folding third-row bench seat. The Escalade excelled in cargo capacity, providing 722 litres with all seats in place, 2,064 litres with the third-row seats folded, and 3,426 litres with all rear seats folded. However, the raised centre console limited storage space, and the seats, while adjustable, lacked the luxury feel expected in a high-end vehicle. Cadillac did include useful features like dedicated buttons for seat heating and ventilation.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna, as a minivan, excelled in interior storage solutions. It featured a spacious cabin with clever storage options, including a large cubby below the centre console and a long shelf on the dashboard. The Sienna's three-zone climate control was standard, with four-zone control available on higher trims. Its dimensions, at 5,175 millimetres long, provided ample space for passengers and cargo. The Sienna offered 949 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,129 litres with the third row folded, and a total of 2,860 litres. While the middle row couldn't be fully removed, the Sienna's second-row captain's chairs were functional and comfortable, with extending ottomans and sliding capabilities for added legroom.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade boasted an impressive 38-inch curved OLED display, consisting of three screens. It featured a 14.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 16.9-inch touchscreen, and a 7.2-inch screen for trip-computer functions. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot. Cadillac paid attention to the display's integration into the dashboard, with functional icons and physical toggles for climate control. However, the carousel format for changing radio stations and the rotary controller were less user-friendly. The Escalade's OLED screens provided excellent resolution for the 360-degree camera system, and it offered advanced features like night vision and augmented-reality navigation.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna featured an older infotainment interface, lacking the latest technology seen in other Toyota models. It included core features like SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but required a wired connection. The interface felt outdated and clunky, with no dedicated button for Android Auto. Despite these limitations, the Sienna's technology was reliable, with a 9-inch touchscreen that didn't appear undersized. The 12-speaker JBL premium audio system provided good sound quality, enhancing the overall experience.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade came equipped with standard driver-assistance technology, including cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims added features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Super Cruise, a sophisticated driver-assist system, was available as an option, offering hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways. While the Escalade's safety features were impressive, it lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA for this model year.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in safety, offering a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems as standard. These included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with steering assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS, highlighting its commitment to safety. While it lacked some gimmicky features found in competitors, the Sienna prioritized essential safety technologies for family use.