2022 Toyota Sienna vs 2023 Ford Bronco

The 2022 Toyota Sienna stood out in the minivan segment, a category that had seen a decline with the rise of SUVs. Despite this trend, Toyota remained committed to the minivan market, continuing to innovate and refine its offerings. The Sienna, with its fourth-generation model launched in 2021, embraced a design that blended SUV-like aesthetics with traditional minivan functionality. Its exterior featured a bold front end and cleverly concealed sliding door channels, giving it a more assertive stance. Inside, the Sienna offered a spacious and practical cabin, with ample storage solutions and seating configurations that catered to families. The interior design avoided the typical minivan feel, providing a comfortable and uncluttered environment for both drivers and passengers.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Bronco captured attention with its retro-cool styling and modern engineering. Offered in nine distinct trim levels, the Bronco's design paid homage to its heritage with a blocky shape, wide grille, and round headlights. The interior continued the rugged theme, featuring durable materials and practical elements like sealed switches and drain plugs for easy cleaning. The Bronco's design was not just about aesthetics; it incorporated functional features like cleats for securing cargo and handholds for passengers. The vehicle's off-road capabilities were enhanced by its design, making it a popular choice for adventure enthusiasts. Despite its rugged nature, the Bronco managed to offer a quieter and more comfortable ride than some of its competitors, like the Jeep Wrangler.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was powered by a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. This setup was a continuation from the previous year, aligning with Toyota's reputation for hybrid technology. The Sienna offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available on most trims. Its electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT) provided smooth power delivery and contributed to impressive fuel efficiency. The Sienna's handling was commendable for a minivan, with minimal body roll and a comfortable ride, thanks to its advanced suspension system. Fuel consumption figures were notable, with the FWD model achieving 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving and 6.5 on the highway.

The 2023 Ford Bronco offered a choice of three engines, starting with a 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower. A twin-turbo 2.7-litre V6 engine was available, delivering 330 horsepower, while the top-tier Raptor model boasted a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 with 418 horsepower. All Broncos featured a four-wheel drive system with a two-speed transfer case, enhancing their off-road capabilities. The Bronco's performance was impressive, with the base engine providing ample power for both on- and off-road adventures. The Raptor's engine offered exhilarating performance, though it was more power than most drivers would need. The Bronco's ride quality was bouncier than typical SUVs, but it maintained good on-road manners and was quieter than the Jeep Wrangler.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna excelled in practicality, offering a versatile interior that could accommodate a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. Its sliding second row added flexibility for loading cargo, with generous cargo space measurements of 949 litres behind the third row, 2,129 litres behind the second row, and 2,860 litres behind the first row. The Sienna also had a towing capacity of 1,585 kilograms. The power-operated sliding doors and liftgate, with available foot-motion triggers, added convenience for families on the go.

The 2023 Ford Bronco's boxy shape contributed to its spacious interior, with ample room for passengers and cargo. The two-door model offered 634 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,481 litres with the seats folded. The four-door model provided even more space, with 1,008 litres behind the rear seats and 2,197 litres with them folded. However, the rear seats did not fold flat, creating a step-up that could hinder loading longer items. The Bronco's design allowed for easy removal of fenders and doors, appealing to off-road enthusiasts who valued customization and adaptability.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was equipped with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. While it lacked wireless connectivity for these features, it offered a range of telematics services and Bluetooth streaming. Higher trims included a 12-speaker JBL audio system and a rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. The Sienna also featured a digital rearview mirror on select models, enhancing visibility when the cabin was full.

The 2023 Ford Bronco integrated technology to enhance its off-road prowess, with G.O.A.T. drive modes that optimized performance for various terrains. The Bronco's numerous camera views and Trail Turn Assist feature made navigating challenging landscapes easier. It also offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Ford's SYNC 4 system. The available 12-inch infotainment display provided a user-friendly interface, complementing the Bronco's advanced off-road technology.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna received top safety ratings, including a Top Safety Pick+ 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 centring, and automatic emergency braking. The Sienna also featured 10 airbags and a rear-seat reminder system, enhancing its family-friendly safety credentials.

The 2023 Ford Bronco's safety ratings were mixed, with the four-door model receiving four stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection from the NHTSA. The IIHS awarded it "Good" ratings in most crashworthiness tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and hill-descent control. Optional packages added features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control, though these were not standard across all trims.