2022 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Ford Escape

The 2021 Ford Escape, in its fourth generation, presented a blend of SUV and hatchback aesthetics. Its design featured a curved snout and sleek roofline, giving it a less truck-like appearance compared to rivals like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Despite its unique exterior, the interior design choices were somewhat disjointed, with materials that felt low-end, even in the top-tier Titanium model. The Escape offered new appearance packages for 2021, enhancing its visual appeal with options like 19-inch alloy wheels and upgraded upholstery.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Sienna embraced its minivan identity while incorporating SUV-like styling cues. The Sienna's design included a bold front end and cleverly concealed sliding door channels, contributing to its assertive profile. Inside, the Sienna avoided the typical minivan feel with a clean, spacious cabin and ample storage solutions. It offered flexible seating arrangements, including available second-row captain’s chairs and a standard third-row bench that folded into the floor, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Ford Escape offered a variety of powertrains, including two gasoline engines and hybrid options. The base 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine produced 181 horsepower, while the 2.0-liter turbo-four delivered 250 hp. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the latter available only in AWD. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid models used a 2.5-liter engine with electric assist, generating 200 hp. The plug-in hybrid's larger battery allowed for extended electric-only driving. Despite adequate power, the Escape's chassis tuning left much to be desired, with suspension and steering issues persisting from previous models.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna, continuing from its 2021 redesign, featured a hybrid powertrain as standard. It combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, producing 243 horsepower. The Sienna offered FWD as standard, with AWD available across all trims. Its electronically controlled CVT provided smooth power delivery and enhanced fuel efficiency, with selectable drive modes for varied driving conditions. The Sienna's handling was surprisingly agile for a minivan, thanks to its TNGA platform, and it boasted impressive fuel economy ratings of up to 36 mpg combined for FWD models.

The 2021 Ford Escape, despite its car-like styling, offered competitive interior space for a compact SUV. It featured a sliding rear seat, providing flexibility between legroom and cargo space. Non-hybrid models offered 40.7 inches of rear legroom, while cargo space varied from 33.5 to 65.4 cubic feet, depending on seat configuration. However, hybrid models sacrificed some space due to battery placement, and overall cargo capacity lagged behind competitors like the Nissan Rogue.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna excelled in practicality, capable of accommodating a 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. Its sliding second row enhanced cargo flexibility, with measurements of 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second, and 101 cubic feet behind the first. The Sienna also offered a 3,500-pound towing capacity. Power-operated sliding doors and tailgate added convenience, making it an ideal choice for families needing versatile space and easy access.

The 2021 Ford Escape featured the older Sync 3 infotainment system, with a base 4.2-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot were standard. Upgrading to higher trims provided an 8-inch touchscreen, SiriusXM, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. While Sync 3 was user-friendly, it lacked the wireless connectivity options found in newer systems.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna boasted a wealth of technology features, starting with a standard 9-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. It included multiple USB ports and a range of telematics services. Higher trims offered a 12-speaker JBL audio system and a rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. The Sienna also featured a head-up display in Platinum models, enhancing driver convenience and safety.

The 2021 Ford Escape earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came with Ford Co-Pilot360, offering features like automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. The optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control and other advanced safety technologies.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane tracing assist, and automatic emergency braking. The Sienna also offered 10 airbags and a rear-seat reminder system, making it a safe choice for families.