2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2023 Toyota Sienna

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid borrowed styling cues from the Tacoma pickup, featuring a trapezoidal grille and upright fascia that gave it a rugged look. However, its side profile introduced a swooping character line that added unnecessary visual weight, making it appear somewhat bloated. The rear design echoed the front grille, but the overall aesthetic felt disjointed compared to more cohesive competitors like the Kia Telluride and Honda Pilot. Inside, the Highlander Hybrid's asymmetrical dash and metallic styling elements provided a unique yet functional design, though the fabric seat upholstery in the Bronze Edition was less impressive, attracting dirt and lacking durability.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna aimed to shed its minivan image with a front-end design reminiscent of a Japanese bullet train. It offered various trims, including a new 25th Anniversary Special Edition. The XLE trim was popular for its value, featuring power-sliding doors and a power liftgate. Inside, the Sienna impressed with high-quality materials, such as brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents in the Platinum trim. It accommodated seven or eight passengers, with the eight-seater supporting three car seats across the middle row, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine producing 243 horsepower, paired with a CVT and standard FWD. AWD was available via an electric motor for the rear axle. It reached 60 mph in just over 8 seconds, slightly slower than gasoline-only SUVs. The hybrid powertrain provided a quick start, but the engine's hum became a drone under heavy acceleration. The ride was comfortable, with a soft suspension that handled bumps well, and the cabin remained quiet on highways.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two front-mounted electric motors and an optional third motor for AWD, delivering 245 horsepower. While its acceleration was less impressive than competitors, the Sienna excelled in handling and steering, offering a nimble and enjoyable driving experience. It had multiple drive modes, but Normal mode was recommended for the best balance. The Sienna's light steering and tidy turning radius made city driving easy, though its CVT and powertrain sound were less appealing.

The 2022 Highlander Hybrid offered well-cushioned front seats with ample adjustments, though the driver's armrest was awkwardly positioned. Storage was plentiful, with trays and bins for personal items. The second row was spacious, with sliding and reclining captain's chairs or an optional bench for eight-passenger capacity. The third row was less accommodating, suitable for children on short trips. Cargo space was 16 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 84.3 cubic feet with seats folded.

The 2023 Sienna excelled in interior storage, with a large cubby below the center console and a long dash shelf. It featured numerous cupholders and a big center console bin. At over 200 inches long, the Sienna offered 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 101 cubic feet total. While the middle row couldn't be removed or folded into the floor, it provided excellent legroom and comfort, with extending ottomans for added support.

The 2022 Highlander Hybrid included an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch option for higher trims. The system was responsive, with physical shortcut buttons and climate controls. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration, with navigation and a JBL audio system available on higher trims.

The 2023 Sienna used an older infotainment interface, offering core features like SiriusXM, Bluetooth, and standard smartphone integration. It had seven USB ports and physical buttons, but the interface felt outdated and required wired connections for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Despite its quirks, the 9-inch touchscreen and 12-speaker JBL audio system were satisfactory.

The 2022 Highlander Hybrid earned a five-star NHTSA rating and IIHS Top Safety Pick+. It included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and more. However, some systems needed fine-tuning, such as abrupt adaptive cruise control stops and overly resistant lane-keep assist.

The 2023 Sienna impressed with standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. It received a five-star NHTSA rating, and the 2022 model's IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation suggested similar safety performance. While lacking some competitors' features, the Sienna prioritized essential safety technologies.