2021 Buick Envision vs 2022 Toyota Sienna

The 2021 Buick Envision underwent a significant redesign, following two years of facelifts, to present a more premium crossover styling. Positioned between the smaller Encore GX and the larger Enclave, the Envision was lower and wider than its predecessor, offering a more planted appearance. It showcased a sculpted look, rivaling the Cadillac XT4, though not as sleek as the Acura RDX. The Envision was available in three trims: Preferred, Essence, and Avenir, with the Avenir trim making its debut, featuring upgraded exterior elements like a Black Ice Chrome mesh grille and 20-inch Avenir-specific wheels. The interior of the Avenir models boasted unique trim patterns, leather-appointed seating, and a head-up display.

The Envision's cabin was driver-centric, with a protruding center stack housing the infotainment screen and climate controls angled towards the driver. While stylish, the design included an abundance of piano black plastic, which attracted dust. The Envision came standard with LED lighting and offered a Sport Touring package for the Preferred and Essence trims, adding darkened wheels and exterior accents. Despite its stylish appearance, the Envision's interior space was somewhat compromised, with less headroom, legroom, and shoulder room compared to its predecessor.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna embraced its minivan identity while incorporating SUV styling cues. It featured a macho front end and re-engineered door hinges to conceal the slider channel, giving it an assertive profile. The Sienna offered flexibility with its sliding second row, allowing for easy loading of cargo. It provided 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101 cubic feet behind the first row. The Sienna's interior was designed for family convenience, with ample storage, cupholders, and power-operated sliding doors and tailgate.

The Sienna's interior avoided the typical minivan feel with an uncluttered design and clever storage solutions. It offered comfortable seating for second- and third-row passengers, with available captain's chairs and a spacious third-row bench. The Sienna's third row easily stored away into the floor, and the second-row seats slid up to 25 inches for easy access. With a 3,500-pound towing capacity, the Sienna was ready to handle family adventures.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Despite a reduction in power compared to the previous model, the Envision's weight savings of 200 to 300 pounds improved its fuel efficiency. The FWD Envision achieved an EPA-estimated 24 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, and 26 mpg combined, while AWD versions fared slightly worse. The Envision's drivability was comfortable, though engine and road noise permeated the cabin, detracting from its premium feel.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna came exclusively with a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. It offered FWD as standard, with AWD available on all trims. The Sienna's hybrid system delivered impressive fuel economy, with FWD models achieving 36 mpg city/highway/combined, and AWD models achieving 35 mpg. The Sienna's handling was surprisingly good for a minivan, thanks to its TNGA platform, providing a comfortable and smooth ride.

The 2021 Buick Envision's redesign resulted in a loss of interior space, with less headroom, legroom, and shoulder room compared to its predecessor. Rear-seat passengers lost two inches of legroom and nearly six inches of hip room. The Envision's cargo capacity was also reduced, offering 25.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 53.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. Despite these reductions, the Envision's rear cargo space was sufficient for daily activities, with grocery bag holders and carve-outs for additional space.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior space and versatility, capable of accommodating a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. It offered 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101 cubic feet behind the first row. The Sienna's interior featured ample storage, cupholders, and power-operated sliding doors and tailgate for added convenience. The third-row bench easily stored away into the floor, and the second-row seats slid up to 25 inches for easy access.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a standard 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, offering responsive touch controls. It included standard features like USB ports, dual-zone automatic climate control, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Available features included navigation, a surround-view camera, and wireless device charging. However, the Envision's tech offerings were not particularly advanced, and the driver-centric design made it challenging for passengers to access the infotainment system.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna boasted a wealth of standard and available technology features. It came with a 9-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The Sienna offered a range of telematics services, Bluetooth connectivity, and optional Qi wireless phone charging. Higher trim levels featured a 12-speaker JBL audio system and a rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. The Sienna's tech offerings were comprehensive, though it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2021 Buick Envision had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. It featured standard safety equipment like forward-collision alert, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. The Envision's Buckle to Drive feature ensured drivers were buckled in before shifting from park to drive. Available safety features included adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic park assist.

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-centering, and automatic emergency braking. 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.