2023 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox underwent several styling updates, including a new grille, LED headlights, and LED daytime running lights, which contributed to a sleeker appearance. The grille was more upright and flanked by large fake air intakes, giving the Equinox a chunkier look compared to its predecessor. While it maintained a car-based crossover design, it didn't adopt the rugged styling of some competitors, offering a happy medium for buyers seeking a balance between SUV and car-like aesthetics. Inside, the dashboard featured a creative design with a touchscreen and large air vents, and materials were decent for the price. The RS model added black exterior trim and darkened wheels, but the interior was considered too subdued.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna aimed to shed its minivan image with styling reminiscent of a Japanese bullet train. It offered a variety of trim levels, including the new 25th Anniversary Special Edition. The Sienna's interior was praised for its high-quality materials, with features like 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 design focused on practicality, with easy access and creative interior features, making it a smart choice for families.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. It featured a six-speed automatic transmission with standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. While it had more torque than many rivals, it lagged in horsepower. The Equinox excelled in stop-and-go driving, thanks to its torque, but felt coarse and unresponsive at higher speeds. The automatic transmission's shifts were somewhat rough, and the vehicle lacked sporty handling, though it was comfortable on rough roads.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and electric motors, delivering 245 net system horsepower. While it lacked power for its size, the Sienna's chassis and steering were praised for their nimbleness. It was easy to drive in the city and cruised comfortably on the highway. The Sienna offered various drive modes, but the Eco and EV modes were less effective. Despite its size, the Sienna was genuinely fun to drive, with a light steering feel and a tidy turning radius.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox offered seating for five across two rows, with decent headroom and second-row legroom. However, front seat legroom was limited, and the lack of a telescoping steering wheel made finding a comfortable driving position challenging. The Equinox provided a tall seating position and good forward visibility, though rear visibility was hampered by small windows. It had 847 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,809 litres with them folded, but lacked features like a sliding second-row seat or cargo-area storage bins.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior space and storage solutions. It featured a large cubby below the centre console, a long shelf on the dash, and numerous cupholders. The Sienna's minivan platform offered 949 litres of cargo space behind the third row and 2,129 litres with it folded, with a total of 2,860 litres. While the middle row couldn't be removed or folded into the floor, the second-row captain's chairs were functional and provided ample legroom for third-row passengers. 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 Chevrolet Equinox came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen and a Bose audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large menu icons and good graphics. The addition of wireless connectivity was a significant advantage, though the centre-console slot for phones was too small.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna, however, featured an older infotainment interface with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but required a wired connection. The system had physical buttons, which were practical, but the interface felt outdated and clunky. The 9-inch touchscreen didn't seem impressive on paper but looked adequate in person. The 12-speaker JBL audio system sounded good, though the technology didn't match Toyota's newer models.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top scores in most IIHS crash tests, with a "Marginal" rating in the updated side crash test. It earned a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle situations and an "Advanced" rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian scenarios. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and more, with optional features like adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna impressed with its standard safety technology, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. It received a five-star 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.