2022 Toyota Sienna vs 2023 Honda HR-V

The 2022 Toyota Sienna stood out in a market where minivans were becoming increasingly rare. Despite the decline in popularity of minivans due to the rise of SUVs, Toyota remained committed to this segment. The Sienna, with its history dating back to 1998, evolved over the years, culminating in the fourth-generation model launched in 2021. This version embraced a more SUV-like style while retaining its minivan identity, thanks to features like sliding side doors. The Sienna's design included a bold front end and cleverly engineered door hinges that concealed the slider channel, giving it a sleek and assertive profile. Inside, the Sienna offered a spacious and practical interior, with ample storage and seating options, making it a versatile choice for families.

The 2023 Honda HR-V underwent a significant styling update, shedding some of its quirky charm for a more sophisticated and modern appearance. The new design featured a lowered beltline and simplified detailing, resulting in a sleeker look with cleaner lines. The HR-V's interior received upgrades as well, with new seats and a refined cabin design. The EX-L trim, in particular, offered perforated leather seats and a comfortable cabin, although some features were unavailable in Canada due to supply shortages. Despite its fastback look, the HR-V maintained good visibility, and its interior design drew inspiration from the 2022 Civic, contributing to a premium feel.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna continued to impress with its hybrid powertrain, a feature introduced in the previous model year. This hybrid system combined a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, delivering a total of 243 horsepower. The Sienna offered both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options, with the latter featuring an additional electric motor for the rear wheels. The electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT) provided smooth power delivery and enhanced fuel efficiency. The Sienna's handling was surprisingly agile for a minivan, thanks to its advanced suspension system. Fuel consumption figures were impressive, with FWD models achieving 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving and 6.5 on the highway.

The 2023 Honda HR-V featured a single powertrain option: a 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. This represented an improvement over the previous model. The HR-V's CVT included a Step-Shift function to mimic traditional automatic transmission sounds. Drivers could choose from Normal, Snow, ECON, and Sport drive modes, each tailored to different driving conditions. The HR-V's handling was enhanced by its new suspension system, making it enjoyable to drive on winding roads. However, it lacked the power of some competitors, and the cabin was noisier at higher speeds. The HR-V's AWD system was available on higher trims, providing added traction in challenging conditions.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna excelled in terms of interior space and versatility. It could accommodate a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed, making it a practical choice for families and those needing to transport large items. The sliding second row added flexibility for loading cargo, and the Sienna offered generous 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 also boasted a 1,585-kilogram towing capacity. The power-operated sliding doors and rear liftgate, with available foot-motion triggers, added convenience for busy families.

The 2023 Honda HR-V, as a subcompact SUV, offered a well-thought-out interior despite its smaller size. The centre console featured a shelf for storing cords and devices, and the HR-V provided ample cargo space with 691 litres with the rear seats up and 1,559 litres with them folded. While the HR-V's cargo capacity was slightly reduced compared to the previous model, it remained competitive in its class. The rear seats featured a 60/40 split and folded flat to create a nearly flat floor. The HR-V's passenger volume varied by trim, with the EX-L offering slightly more space. Front-row legroom improved, but rear-seat legroom decreased slightly.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna came equipped with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. However, it lacked wireless connectivity for these features. The Sienna included a range of telematics services, Bluetooth connectivity, and optional Qi wireless phone charging. Audio systems varied by trim, with higher trims featuring a 12-speaker JBL system. A rear-seat entertainment system was available, providing entertainment for passengers. The Sienna also offered a digital rearview mirror and remote keyless entry with push-button start.

The 2023 Honda HR-V featured a tablet-style touchscreen infotainment system with physical controls for power and volume. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all trims, with wireless versions available on the EX-L. The HR-V included a 7-inch digital gauge cluster and a 7-inch colour touchscreen display, with the EX-L offering a 9-inch display and wireless charging. The HR-V's infotainment system included Smart Shortcuts and machine learning for personalized user experiences. Standard features included USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, keyless entry, and remote start, with higher trims offering enhanced audio systems and additional connectivity options.

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 equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included adaptive cruise control, lane tracing assist, pre-collision system, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. Blind spot monitoring and the Star Safety System were also standard. The Sienna featured 10 airbags, LATCH connectors for child seats, and a rear-seat reminder system. Tire-pressure monitoring and an inflator kit were standard, with an optional spare tire.

The 2023 Honda HR-V addressed previous criticisms by making the Honda Sensing suite standard on all trims. This included adaptive cruise control, collision-mitigation braking, lane-keeping assist, road-departure mitigation, and forward-collision warning. New features for 2023 included traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and automatic high-beams. A blind-spot information system with rear cross-traffic alert was also standard. The HR-V's safety features were generally unobtrusive and provided peace of mind. The HR-V received a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS, although the NHTSA had not yet rated it.