2021 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2022 Toyota Sienna

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban presented a bold and polarizing front-end design inspired by the Camaro. This involved stretching the design aesthetics over its massive frame, leading to a mix of small headlights and large, busy grilles that didn't win universal acclaim. The interior, thankfully, retained a familiar layout, with radio and climate controls in intuitive places, though it had a touchscreen that unfortunately reflected sunlight directly into the driver’s eyes.

Trim choices included LS, LT, Z71, RST, Premier, and the range-topping High Country. The LS provided basic comforts like an infotainment system and alloy wheels, while the LT added leather upholstery and a hands-free power liftgate. The Z71 catered to off-road enthusiasts with 4WD and all-terrain tires, whereas the RST offered sharp 22-inch wheels and a performance-oriented look. The Premier and High Country trims upped the ante with features like an adaptive suspension and heated seats. Despite its higher status, the High Country lacked the soft-touch materials expected in true luxury SUVs, opting for hard plastics more akin to a premium pickup truck.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna, a minivan with a reputation for practicality, showcased SUV-like styling cues while embracing its minivan essence. Toyota redesigned the door hinges and slides to integrate stylishly with the vehicle’s body. Even though the sliding side doors revealed its minivan roots, the macho front end and clean design rivaled SUV aesthetics. Standard wheels ranged from 17 inches on base models to 20 inches on higher trims.

Inside, the Sienna avoided the typical minivan look with a well-thought-out, uncluttered design, full of clever storage solutions. Options like second-row captain’s chairs with ottomans and a spacious third-row bench made it family-friendly. The third-row easily folded into the floor, further enhancing its utility.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban came with robust engine choices. The base 5.3-liter V8 delivered 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, while an optional 6.2-liter V8 provided 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. For those seeking diesel, a 3.0-liter inline-six produced 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. All engines used a 10-speed automatic transmission, with either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. The diesel engine impressed with its torque and handling, though the Suburban revealed its truck roots with noticeable body-roll and susceptibility to crosswinds. Its independent rear suspension added to ride comfort, yet bumps at high speeds still caused some truck-like chatter.

Conversely, the 2022 Toyota Sienna offered only a hybrid powertrain, producing a combined 243 horsepower from a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors. Its electronically controlled CVT ensured smooth power delivery, enhancing fuel economy. The AWD model added a rear electric motor without the mechanical complexities of traditional AWD systems. The Sienna’s handling exceeded minivan expectations, with minimal body roll and a comfortable highway ride. Notably, it achieved outstanding fuel economy ratings of up to 36 mpg for FWD models, making it a standout in its class.

The enormous cargo space of the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban was a major selling point. With 144.7 cubic feet of storage with the rear seats folded, and 93.8 cubic feet with the second row in use, even the 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row compared favorably to smaller crossovers. The roomy second-row captains' chairs contributed to passenger comfort, though the button shifter and power-sliding center console were less intuitive.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna, meanwhile, showcased impressive versatility. It could accommodate a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed and offered cargo capacities of 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101 cubic feet behind the first row. It also included a 3,500-pound towing capability. The Sienna’s power-operated sliding doors and tailgate, activated by foot-motion sensors, added a level of convenience ideal for busy families.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban came standard with a 10.2-inch touchscreen equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making it user-friendly. Features like a head-up display and a rear entertainment system with large touchscreens were available, along with handy wireless device charging.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna featured a 9-inch touchscreen in all models with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. Higher trims offered a 12-speaker JBL audio system and a rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. The Sienna also lacked wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, a notable omission given its otherwise tech-forward design. Nonetheless, it had an array of advanced telematics and connectivity options, including multiple trials for important services and a digital rearview mirror for an unobstructed view regardless of passenger load.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, and rear parking sensors. Optional features like adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera system enhanced safety. Unique options like the Safety Alert Seat added a tactile layer of safety alerts.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna received high marks from safety organizations, with a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS and a five-star rating from NHTSA. It came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. The vehicle also featured multiple airbags, several LATCH connectors, a rear-seat reminder system, and tire-pressure monitoring, making it a top choice for family safety.