2023 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Toyota Sequoia

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia, a stalwart in the SUV market, carried forward its second generation into its 14th year without significant redesigns. Its exterior design, characterized by a modestly sized grille and elegant wheel arches, maintained a classic appeal amidst evolving SUV trends. The Sequoia's dimensions—1,956 mm in height, 2,030 mm in width, and 5,210 mm in length—contributed to its imposing presence, complemented by a 3,099 mm wheelbase and 32 cm of ground clearance. Inside, the Sequoia's interior felt dated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch TFT driver information screen that seemed out of place in the modern SUV landscape. However, the interior's build quality was typical of Toyota, with high-quality materials and a robust construction designed to withstand family use.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna aimed to redefine the minivan aesthetic with a design reminiscent of a Japanese bullet train. The Sienna offered a variety of trim levels, including the new 25th Anniversary Special Edition, and featured 17-inch to 20-inch wheels depending on the trim. Inside, the Sienna impressed with its high-quality brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents, particularly in the Platinum trim. The minivan 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 practicality, with features like power-sliding doors and a power liftgate, making it a smart choice for families.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a 5.7-litre i-Force V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, offering a reliable and durable powertrain. The Sequoia's truck roots provided a payload capacity of up to 608 kilograms and a towing capacity of 3,221 kilograms. Despite its weight of approximately 2,721.5 kilograms, the Sequoia offered a smooth and stable ride, with excellent off-road capabilities thanks to its body-on-frame construction and four-wheel independent double-wishbone suspension. However, its fuel consumption ratings were less impressive, with 18.5 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 13.9 on the highway.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, 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 AWD trims. This setup produced 245 net system horsepower, which was less than some competitors. The Sienna's CVT was not the most refined, but the minivan's chassis and steering offered a surprisingly nimble and enjoyable driving experience. The Sienna's light steering feel and tidy turning radius made it easy to maneuver in urban settings, although its acceleration was less impressive compared to rivals like the Honda Odyssey.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia prioritized passenger comfort, offering spacious seating across all three rows with ample headroom and legroom. The SUV featured three-zone climate control, a power moonroof, and heated front seats as standard. The Sequoia's cargo space was generous, with 535 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,886 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 3,401 litres with both the second and third rows down.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior storage solutions, with a large open cubby below the centre console and a long shelf across the dash. The minivan's cargo space was impressive, with 949 litres behind the third row and 2,129 litres with the third row folded. However, the total cargo space of 2,860 litres was less than some competitors due to the non-removable middle row. The Sienna's second-row captain's chairs were highly functional, offering extending ottomans and sliding capabilities for added comfort.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia's technology was somewhat outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch TFT driver information screen. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, the infotainment system felt clunky compared to modern offerings. The Sequoia did feature a 14-speaker JBL premium audio system on higher trims and standard LED lighting throughout.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna also used an older infotainment interface, but it included core features like SiriusXM, Bluetooth, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 9-inch touchscreen was adequate, and the 12-speaker JBL audio system provided good sound quality. However, the interface required a wired connection for smartphone integration, and accessing Android Auto was not as seamless as it could be.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia lacked crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, but it was equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense P suite, including pre-collision systems, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. The Sequoia also featured a full complement of airbags, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna impressed with its standard safety technology, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. It received a 5-star rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from IIHS, making it a strong contender in terms of safety.