2022 Toyota Sienna vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2022 Toyota Sienna stood out in a market where minivans were becoming increasingly rare, as many manufacturers shifted focus to SUVs. Despite this trend, Toyota remained committed to the minivan segment, evolving the Sienna over several generations since its debut in 1998. The latest iteration, launched in 2021, embraced a more SUV-like aesthetic while retaining its minivan identity, thanks to its sliding side doors. The Sienna featured a bold front end and cleverly concealed door hinges, giving it a sleek and assertive profile. Inside, the Sienna offered a spacious and practical cabin, with ample storage solutions and comfortable seating for all passengers, including available second-row captain’s chairs and a versatile third-row bench.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Escape adopted a more European design language, moving away from the blocky styling of its predecessors. The refreshed model featured a more traditional front end with a stylish LED light bar and the iconic Ford blue oval logo. As one of the smallest vehicles in Ford’s lineup, the Escape offered a range of trim levels, with the ST-Line Elite being the top-tier option. The Escape's exterior design was sleek and upscale, with 19-inch wheels and body-colour accents. Inside, the Escape boasted diamond-stitched leather upholstery and comfortable seating, although some materials felt less premium. The Escape provided a comfortable driving experience, with a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat and well-weighted steering.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was equipped exclusively with a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. This setup was available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, the latter adding a separate electric motor for the rear wheels. The Sienna utilized an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT), offering smooth power delivery and excellent fuel efficiency. The Sienna's handling was surprisingly agile for a minivan, with minimal body roll and a comfortable ride. Fuel consumption was impressive, with FWD models achieving 6.6 L/100 km in the city and 6.5 on the highway, while AWD models recorded slightly higher figures.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered multiple powertrain options, including a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available with either FWD or AWD. Higher trims, such as the ST-Line Elite, featured a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, exclusively with AWD. Despite its power, the Escape was not a performance crossover, with a soft suspension and no paddle shifters for manual gear changes. The Escape's brakes provided predictable stopping power, and its steering was well-weighted, offering a comfortable driving experience.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna excelled in practicality, capable of accommodating a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. Its sliding second row added flexibility for cargo loading, with 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 boasted a 1,585-kilogram towing capacity. Power-operated sliding doors and a rear liftgate enhanced convenience, especially when carrying groceries or children.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered comfortable seating and excellent ergonomics, with well-positioned armrests and a head-up display. However, it fell short in cargo space compared to some competitors, with 1,061 litres behind the second row and 1,851 litres with the second row folded. While passenger space was slightly less than rivals, the Escape provided good headroom and soft, scalloped front-seat backs to maximize rear-seat space.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. However, it lacked wireless connectivity for these features. The Sienna offered a range of telematics services, Bluetooth streaming, and optional Qi wireless charging. Higher trims included a 12-speaker JBL audio system and a rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. A digital rearview mirror and Smart Key System were available on select trims.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 technology, featuring an 8-inch or optional 13.2-inch touchscreen. The larger screen enhanced the cabin's look and offered intuitive navigation, music, and Bluetooth pairing. A wi-fi hotspot was available, and the system included a static "Home" button for easy navigation. While Sync 4 was occasionally slow to respond, its overall feature set and layout were commendable. A Bang & Olufsen sound system was optional on higher trims.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna received 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, including adaptive cruise control, lane centring, forward collision warning, and more. The Sienna also featured 10 airbags, LATCH connectors, and a rear-seat reminder system. Tire-pressure monitoring and an inflator kit were standard, with an optional spare tire.

The 2023 Ford Escape earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but did not receive a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS due to a Marginal side-impact test score. The Escape included Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite, offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and more. Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera for enhanced safety.