2022 Land Rover Defender vs 2022 Toyota Sienna

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its iconic design, reminiscent of its predecessors, with a boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare wheel, and flat hood. These elements tied it visually to the original Defender and classic Series Land Rovers. Despite its retro callbacks, the Defender boasted a modern design with rounded corners for improved aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights that gave it a distinct personality. The larger size of the modern Defender translated into more interior space and better ergonomics, offering generous headroom and legroom, and a comfortable driving position with good outward visibility. The interior design emphasized the Defender’s rugged character, featuring a mix of leather upholstery and suede, bare metal, and exposed screws, which made it suitable for off-road adventures without the worry of ruining a luxurious interior.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna embraced its minivan identity while incorporating SUV styling cues. It featured a macho front end and re-engineered door hinges and slides to conceal the slider channel, giving it an assertive profile. The interior was designed to avoid the typical minivan feel, offering an uncluttered front cabin with clever storage solutions throughout. The Sienna provided comfortable seating for second- and third-row passengers, with available captain’s chairs and a spacious three-across bench in the third row. The third-row bench could be easily stored into the floor, enhancing cargo flexibility. The Sienna’s design catered to family needs, with power-operated sliding doors and rear liftgate, making it convenient for loading and unloading.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. A mid-level 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain delivered 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. The highlight was the new-for-2022 V8 engine, generating 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, propelling the Defender 90 from zero to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds, with a top speed of 240 km/h. All models featured a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case. The V8 model included an electronic active rear differential, Dynamic drive mode, and unique transmission and suspension tuning for sportier handling. Despite its off-road capabilities, the Defender was comfortable on pavement, with a suspension that absorbed bumps effectively and minimized noise from the 22-inch tires. It offered a 3,500-kilogram towing capacity and impressive off-road features, including a 4WD system with low range and optional Terrain Response 2 system.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna came exclusively with a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on most trims. The AWD system added a separate electric motor for the rear wheels, enhancing traction without mechanical complexity. The Sienna used an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT) for smooth power delivery and fuel efficiency. It featured four selectable drive modes: Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport. The Sienna’s handling was commendable for a minivan, with minimal body roll and a comfortable ride on highways. Fuel efficiency was a standout, with FWD models achieving 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving and 6.5 on the highway. The AWD models had slightly higher consumption figures. The Sienna’s 288-volt nickel metal-hydride battery pack was tucked under the front seats, with a 10-year/240,000-kilometre warranty.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered versatility with its seating configurations. The two-door Defender 90 had 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, providing some cargo space when folded. The four-door Defender 110 model came in two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations. The three-row model offered 160 litres of cargo space with all seats in place, 743 litres with the third-row seat folded, and 1,826 litres with the second row folded. Two-row versions had 786 litres with the rear seats up and 1,875 litres with the rear seats folded. The interior emphasized functionality, with a large caged storage space below the dashboard and a spacious centre-console storage bin. Optional features included a basket-style roof rack and cargo boxes for additional storage.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna excelled in cargo capacity, capable of accommodating a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. The sliding second row added flexibility for loading luggage and freight. Cargo measurements were 949 litres behind the third row, 2,129 litres behind the second row, and 2,860 litres behind the first row. The Sienna had a 1,585-kilogram towing capacity. The standard 60/40-split third-row bench easily stored into the floor, and each row had storage cubbies and cupholders. Power-operated sliding doors and rear liftgate, with available foot-motion triggers, enhanced convenience for families.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender featured the Pivi Pro infotainment system with a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on all trims except the base model. An 11.4-inch touchscreen was newly available for 2022. The interface was user-friendly, with distinctive graphics and menu layouts. A surround-view camera system was standard, with optional features like a 14-speaker Meridian audio system and head-up display.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna offered a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. However, it lacked wireless connectivity for these features. The Sienna included a one-year trial of Safety Connect and Remote Connect telematics services, and an 8-year trial of Service Connect. Bluetooth hands-free and audio streaming were standard, with Qi wireless phone charging available on higher trims. Audio systems ranged from a six-speaker setup to a 12-speaker JBL system. A rear-seat entertainment system was available, featuring an 11.6-inch display. A digital rearview mirror was optional on higher trims, providing a clear view of the road behind.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came with standard driver-assist features, including lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was optional. The Defender had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, which was common for luxury vehicles.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna received a Top Safety Pick+ rating 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, pre-collision system, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. Blind spot monitoring and the Star Safety System were also standard. The Sienna featured 10 airbags, LATCH connectors, and a rear-seat reminder system. Tire-pressure monitoring and an inflator kit were standard, with an optional spare tire.