2022 Land Rover Defender vs 2023 Toyota Sienna

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its iconic design, with no major exterior changes, yet it remained distinctive. Its boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare wheel, and flat hood were reminiscent of the original Defender and classic Series Land Rovers. The option for a white contrasting roof and steel wheels added a retro touch. Despite these nostalgic elements, the Defender's design was thoroughly modern, with rounded corners for improved aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights that gave it a unique personality. The modern Defender was larger than its predecessor, offering more interior space and better ergonomics. The interior design emphasized the Defender’s rugged character, with a mix of leather and suede upholstery, bare metal, and exposed screws, making it suitable for off-road adventures without worrying about ruining the interior.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna aimed to shed its minivan image with a design that resembled a Japanese bullet train. Despite its minivan roots, the Sienna offered a smart choice for families with its larger cargo capacity, easy access, and creative interior features. Toyota provided various trim levels, including the new 25th Anniversary Special Edition, catering to different preferences. The Sienna's interior was well-received, with high-quality brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents. It offered seating for seven or eight passengers, with the ability to support three-across car seats in the middle row. The Sienna's design and features made it a practical and stylish option for families.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, including a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain producing 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. The highlight was the new-for-2022 V8 engine, delivering 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. The V8 model featured 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 well and minimized noise from its massive 22-inch tires. It offered a 3,500-kilogram towing capacity and impressive off-road features, including a 4WD system with low range and the optional Terrain Response 2 system.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, was equipped with a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with two front-mounted electric motors and a third rear-mounted motor for AWD trims, producing 245 net system horsepower. While the power output was less impressive compared to competitors, the Sienna's chassis and steering were commendable, offering nimble handling and a fun driving experience. The Sienna featured a CVT, which was not the best-sounding powertrain, but it was easy to drive around town and on the highway. The Sienna offered various drive modes, including EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport, but Normal mode was recommended for the best balance of performance and efficiency.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered versatile interior configurations, with 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats in the Defender 90 model. While accessing the rear seats in the two-door model was challenging, they were surprisingly comfortable. The four-door Defender 110 model provided more options, with two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations. Cargo space varied depending on the configuration, with up to 1,875 litres available in two-row versions. The interior design emphasized functionality, with a large caged storage space below the dashboard and a spacious centre-console storage bin that could be equipped with refrigeration. Optional exterior features included a basket-style roof rack and cargo boxes.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior storage solutions, with ample space for bags and personal items. The interior featured a long shelf extending from the dash, perfect for phones, and a big bin in the centre console. The Sienna offered three-zone climate control as standard, with four-zone available on higher trims. With a length of 5,175 millimetres and a wheelbase of 3,061 millimetres, the Sienna provided generous cargo space, with 949 litres behind the third row and up to 2,860 litres in total. The second-row captain’s chairs were functional and comfortable, with extending ottomans and the ability to slide forward and backward. 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 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, and an 11.4-inch touchscreen was newly available for 2022. The user interface was well-designed, with easy-to-navigate graphics and menu layouts. A surround-view camera system was standard, with optional features including a 14-speaker Meridian audio system and head-up display.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna, however, used Toyota’s older infotainment interface, which included SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system featured physical buttons, which were functional but the interface felt outdated and clunky. The Sienna had a 9-inch touchscreen, which didn’t look undersized in person, and a 12-speaker JBL premium audio system. However, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay required a wired connection, and accessing Android Auto was not straightforward.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came with standard driver-assist tech, 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.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna impressed with its standard safety technology, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with steering assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. While competitors also offered strong safety features, Toyota’s commitment to safety was evident in the Sienna.