2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2023 Toyota Sienna

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid borrowed styling elements from the Tacoma pickup, notably its trapezoidal grille and upright fascia, giving it a rugged look popular among midsized SUVs. However, the side profile introduced a swooping character line over the rear wheel arch, reminiscent of the Toyota Supra and Sienna, which added unnecessary visual weight and made the Highlander appear somewhat bloated. The rear design echoed the trapezoidal grille, but the overall body felt disjointed compared to more cohesive designs like the Kia Telluride or Honda Pilot. Inside, the Highlander's unconventional asymmetrical dash featured a metallic styling element that spanned the passenger side, creating a helpful storage tray. The infotainment touchscreen was positioned high on the dash, reducing driver distraction. The Bronze Edition introduced 18-inch bronze alloy wheels and light grey fabric seat upholstery with a triangle motif, which seemed more suited to paper towels than car interiors. The Softex synthetic leather substitute felt more like vinyl, and genuine leather was only available in the top trims. The rear seating area had more hard plastics, typical for family SUVs, but the third row was less comfortable with unyielding armrests.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna aimed to shed its minivan image with a front-end design resembling a Japanese bullet train. While most trims featured 17 or 18-inch wheels, the XSE trim boasted 20-inch wheels. The Sienna offered various trims, including the new 25th Anniversary Special Edition. Value-conscious shoppers could opt for the XLE trim, which included power-sliding doors and a power liftgate with kick sensors. Inside, the Sienna impressed with high-quality brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents on the centre console. It accommodated seven or eight passengers, with the eight-seater supporting three-across car seats in the middle row. The Sienna's minivan platform provided ample cargo space, with 949 litres behind the third row and 2,129 litres with the seat folded. Total cargo space reached 2,860 litres, although the middle row couldn't be fully removed or folded into the floor. The second-row captain's chairs were functional, with extending ottomans for extra thigh support, and the middle-row seats slid forward and backward, allowing the third row to accommodate adults comfortably.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and hybrid system, producing 243 horsepower. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive (AWD) with a supplemental electric motor powering the rear axle. Toyota estimated it could reach 100 km/h in just over eight seconds, slightly slower than gasoline-only SUVs in its class. The hybrid powertrain provided a quick but tepid response from a standstill, with the gasoline engine supplying more power as speed increased. The engine hum was subtle under light acceleration but became a drone when pushed harder, especially on hills. Braking was traditional, with a soft pedal feel and seamless transition from regenerative to physical brakes. The ride quality was soft, with the suspension smoothing over road bumps, and the cabin remained mostly free of wind and road noise on the highway.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with two front-mounted electric motors and a third rear-mounted motor for AWD trims, delivering 245 net system horsepower. While the power specs were less impressive than competitors, the Sienna's chassis and steering were commendable. It was easy to drive around town and cruised comfortably on the highway. The Sienna's light steering feel was ideal for city driving, and its tidy turning radius was rare for a minivan. The Sienna offered drive modes like EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport, but Normal mode was recommended. Eco mode extended the CVT's simulated gears too much, and EV mode was largely ineffective. Sport mode didn't provide a dramatic driving experience, but the Sienna was genuinely fun to drive for a minivan.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid's front seats were well-cushioned and adjustable for comfort, though the driver's door armrest was awkwardly positioned. Storage options included a deep tray under the infotainment screen, a small shelf in front of the passenger, and a large centre armrest bin. The second-row seats were spacious, accommodating tall passengers with ease, and offered sliding and reclining options. A second-row bench increased passenger capacity to eight. The third-row seat was less accommodating, suitable for occasional use by children. Cargo space behind the third row was 453 litres, expanding to 1,370 litres with the seatbacks folded and 2,387 litres with the second row stowed.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior storage solutions, with ample space for bags and a long shelf extending from the dash. The Sienna featured a big bin in the centre console and numerous cupholders. Three-zone climate control was standard, with four-zone available on higher trims. The Sienna's minivan platform offered 949 litres of space behind the third row, expanding to 2,129 litres with the seat folded and 2,860 litres total. The middle row couldn't be fully removed or folded into the floor, but the second-row captain's chairs were functional and comfortable. The middle-row seats slid forward and backward, allowing the third row to accommodate adults with actual legroom.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch option available on top trims. The system was quick to respond, with logically organized menus and physical shortcut buttons. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless charging on Limited and Platinum trims. Navigation and an 11-speaker JBL audio system were also standard on higher trims.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna used Toyota's older infotainment interface, offering SiriusXM, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The interface had physical buttons but felt outdated and clunky. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay required a wired connection, and accessing Android Auto was cumbersome. Despite its quirks, the technology was reliable, with a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12-speaker JBL audio system available on higher trims.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. The systems generally worked well but could use fine-tuning, with abrupt stops from adaptive cruise control and resistance from lane-keep assist.

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