2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2022 Toyota Sienna

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, inspired by the larger Blazer midsize crossover SUV, was a stylish subcompact vehicle. It featured dark gray plastic trim around its lower perimeter, triple front lights similar to the Hyundai Kona, and two-tone paint schemes reminiscent of the Kia Soul. The Activ trim added a rugged appearance with front and rear skid plate trim, unique 17-inch aluminum wheels, sport terrain tires, a larger grille, and standard two-tone paint. Our test vehicle, priced at $30,580, included Mosaic Black paint, a Summit White roof, and Jet Black leatherette seats with Arizona cabin accents. The interior design was excellent, with a well-laid-out control system, useful storage, and attractive detailing, although the presence of hard shiny plastic was a drawback at higher price points.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna, continuing from its 2021 redesign, embraced its minivan identity while incorporating SUV styling cues. It featured a macho front end, re-engineered door hinges, and a sleek profile with integrated rear door styling details. Standard 17-inch wheels could be upgraded to 18-inch or 20-inch on higher trims. Inside, the Sienna avoided the typical minivan feel with an uncluttered front cabin design and ample storage. The second and third rows offered comfortable, roomy seating, with available second-row captain’s chairs and a spacious third-row bench. The third row could be easily stored away, and the second-row seats slid up to 25 inches for easy access. The Sienna was designed to be a practical family hauler with a focus on comfort and convenience.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with two engine options. The base models featured a turbocharged 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Higher trims, including the Activ AWD, were equipped with a turbocharged 1.3-liter 3-cylinder engine delivering 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The Activ AWD’s powertrain was agreeable, with torque available from 1,600 to 4,000 rpm. The 9-speed automatic provided smooth gear changes, and Sport mode enhanced responsiveness. However, the Trailblazer struggled with acceleration on tight curves and uphill sections. It averaged 26.6 mpg in fuel economy, slightly below the EPA rating of 28 mpg combined. The Trailblazer exhibited quirks in driving dynamics, such as transmission hesitation in Normal mode and disconnected on-center steering feel. Suspension impact harshness was notable, especially over sharp bumps, and the vehicle was loud inside.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna, exclusively available with a hybrid powertrain, combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. FWD was standard, with AWD available on all trims. The AWD system added a separate electric motor for the rear wheels, providing 54 horsepower and 89 pound-feet of torque. The Sienna used an electronically controlled CVT, offering four selectable drive modes: Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport. Handling was better than expected for a minivan, with minimal body roll and comfortable highway cruising. The Sienna Hybrid achieved impressive EPA fuel economy ratings of 36 mpg city/36 mpg highway/36 mpg combined for FWD models and 35 mpg city/35 mpg highway/35 mpg combined for AWD models. The 288-volt nickel metal-hydride battery pack was tucked under the front seats, and Toyota offered a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty for the battery.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered cloth seats only in the L and LS trims, limiting options for those who preferred cloth but wanted a more powerful engine or AWD. The leatherette seats in the Activ trim were prone to trapping sweat, and the automatic climate control struggled to keep the cabin cool. The front seats were comfortable, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver, but the rear seats were less accommodating, with a flat cushion and reclined backrest. The lack of rear air conditioning vents added to the discomfort. The cargo space was practical, expanding from 25.3 cubic feet to 54.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down, and the front passenger seat could also fold down for additional cargo length.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was designed to be a versatile family workhorse, capable of carrying a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. The sliding second row added flexibility for loading cargo, with measurements 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. The Sienna also had a 3,500-pound towing capacity. The standard 60/40-split third-row bench stored away easily, and each row had ample storage cubbies and cupholders. Power-operated sliding doors and tailgate with foot-motion triggers added convenience for loading and unloading.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered two infotainment systems. The base system featured a 7-inch touchscreen, dual Bluetooth pairing, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Teen Driver technology, and Chevrolet Connected Access services with a WiFi hotspot. The upgraded system for Activ and RS trims included an 8-inch display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, and cloud-connected vehicle personalization. The Trailblazer also offered USB-A and USB-C charging ports, wireless smartphone charging, and a 7-speaker Bose premium sound system. The infotainment interface was user-friendly, with physical controls for power, volume, tuning, and navigation.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna came with a 9-inch touchscreen standard across all trims, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, one USB media port, and six USB charging ports. However, it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sienna included a one-year trial of Safety Connect and Remote Connect, a 10-year trial of Service Connect, and a three-month trial of AT&T WiFi Connect. Higher trims offered Qi wireless phone charging and a 1500-watt inverter with a 120-volt AC outlet. Audio systems ranged from a six-speaker setup on the LE to a 12-speaker JBL system on higher trims. A rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display was available on XLE and above. The Sienna also featured a color multi-information display, with a 10-inch head-up display on Platinum trims, and an optional digital rearview mirror.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer was equipped with standard Chevy Safety Assist, including forward-collision alert, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and a safe following distance indicator. It also featured a rear-seat reminder system, Teen Driver technology, and an automatic collision notification service. Optional safety features included a blind-spot warning system, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assistance, a high-definition reversing camera, and adaptive cruise control. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist systems were inconsistent in performance. Crash-test ratings were pending at the time of review.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. The standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite included adaptive cruise control, Lane Tracing Assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and traffic sign recognition. The Sienna also featured the Star Safety System, 10 airbags, multiple LATCH connectors, a rear-seat reminder system, tire-pressure monitoring, and an inflator kit. A spare tire was available, mounted in the cargo space wall for safety and convenience.