2022 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2022 Toyota Sienna stood out in the minivan segment by embracing its identity rather than shying away from it. Despite the decline in minivan popularity due to the SUV boom, Toyota continued to innovate with the Sienna, which debuted its fourth generation in 2021. The Sienna's design cleverly incorporated SUV-like elements, such as a macho front end and re-engineered sliding doors that concealed the slider channel, giving it a more assertive stance. Inside, the Sienna offered a spacious and functional cabin with clever storage solutions and comfortable seating for all passengers, including available second-row captain’s chairs with ottomans.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a bold statement with its unapologetically massive size and distinctive styling. The Escalade's front end, reminiscent of a diesel locomotive, featured a tall hood and vertical running lights, emphasizing its bulk. The vehicle's design set it apart from other GM full-size SUVs, with different trim options for sport and luxury models. Inside, the Escalade offered a luxurious yet somewhat disjointed interior, with leather upholstery, wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof. However, it lacked a cohesive design theme, and some materials appeared less premium than expected.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna featured a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. This setup provided smooth power delivery through an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT) and offered selectable drive modes for different driving conditions. The Sienna's handling was surprisingly agile for a minivan, thanks to its Toyota Next Generation Architecture (TNGA) platform. Fuel efficiency was a highlight, with FWD models achieving 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving and 6.5 on the highway, while AWD models were slightly less efficient.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain choices: a standard 6.2-litre gasoline V8 with 420 horsepower and a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six diesel engine with 277 horsepower. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a standard four-wheel-drive system in Canada. The diesel engine, despite its lower horsepower, provided smooth power delivery and a lower torque peak, making it effective for various driving situations. However, the Escalade's ride quality was less refined, with a body-on-frame construction that resulted in an unsettled ride compared to unibody SUVs.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna excelled in practicality, offering ample cargo space with 949 litres behind the third row, 2,129 litres behind the second row, and 2,860 litres behind the first row. The Sienna's interior was designed with family needs in mind, featuring power-operated sliding doors and a rear liftgate for easy access. The third-row bench could be easily stored away, and the vehicle's towing capacity was 1,585 kilograms.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade, sharing its platform with other GM full-size SUVs, provided a cavernous cabin with the most first-row and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs. Cargo space was generous, with 722 litres with all seats in place, 2,064 litres with the third-row seats folded, and 3,426 litres with all rear seats folded. However, the interior had some functionality issues, such as limited storage space in the centre console and seats that felt less luxurious than expected.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna came equipped with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. While it lacked wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it included a range of telematics services and a rear-seat entertainment system on higher trims. The Sienna also featured a digital rearview mirror and a Smart Key System on select models.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade boasted a 38-inch curved OLED display, comprising three screens for a comprehensive infotainment experience. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 360-degree camera system. The Escalade also offered advanced features like night vision and an augmented-reality navigation system. However, some infotainment elements, such as the radio station carousel and rotary controller, were less user-friendly.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was expected to receive a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. The Sienna also featured 10 airbags and a rear-seat reminder system.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade included standard driver-assistance features like cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims offered additional features like blind-spot monitoring and Super Cruise, a sophisticated hands-free driving system. However, safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available for this model year.