2021 Ford Expedition vs 2022 Toyota Sienna

Six travelers arrived at Los Angeles International Airport after a sleepless redeye flight from Maui, each with a carry-on suitcase and a backpack. After a week in a rented Dodge Grand Caravan, the plush and spacious 2021 Ford Expedition Platinum was a welcome sight. However, the Expedition's inability to accommodate all their luggage became apparent, forcing one passenger to carry a suitcase on her lap for the 40-mile ride to the suburbs. Despite this, the Expedition Platinum's luxurious features, including Magnetic gray paint, 4WD, and second-row captain’s chairs, made it a visually appealing and comfortable vehicle.

The Expedition Platinum, the top trim in the lineup, boasted an intricately detailed chrome grille, massive 22-inch machined-face aluminum wheels, and tastefully applied brightwork. While the standard-length model struggled with cargo space, the extended-length MAX version could have easily carried eight people and their luggage. The interior, though luxurious with leather-lined seats and a massage function for the front seats, still had some hard plastic elements, reminding passengers of its origins. Nevertheless, the Expedition provided a comfortable ride for the six-person crew once they arrived home.

Toyota's Sienna minivan, on the other hand, maintained its presence in the market despite the rise of SUVs. The 2022 model, continuing from the 2021 redesign, aimed to blend SUV style with minivan functionality. The Sienna featured a macho front end, re-engineered door hinges, and a sleek profile with 17-inch wheels on base models and up to 20-inch wheels on higher trims. The interior avoided the typical minivan feel with an uncluttered design and ample storage, including an under-console open storage area, big door pockets, and numerous cup holders.

The Sienna's second and third rows offered comfortable, roomy seating, with available second-row captain’s chairs and a spacious three-across bench in the third row. The third-row 60/40-split bench easily stored away into the floor, and the second-row seats slid up to 25 inches for easy access to the third row. The Sienna's design and functionality made it a practical choice for families, providing ample space and convenience for passengers and cargo alike.

The 2021 Ford Expedition featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, available in both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD). The engine produced 375 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 470 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm, with the Platinum trim receiving a boost to 400 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque. The Expedition's towing capacity ranged from 9,000 to 9,300 pounds, depending on the specification, and it offered Pro Trailer Backup Assist technology for easier trailer maneuvering.

Despite its size, the Expedition impressed with its acceleration, even when fully loaded. The twin-turbo V6 emitted a pleasant engine note, and the transmission operated smoothly. However, the Platinum's 22-inch wheels affected ride quality, transmitting road shock into the cabin despite the adaptive damping suspension. The Expedition's four-wheel independent suspension kept it stable on the road. The FX4 Off-Road Package, available on XLT and Limited models, added off-road capabilities, but the test vehicle did not include this option. The Expedition averaged 17.1 mpg on the evaluation loop, with an EPA rating of 19 mpg in combined driving for the 4WD model.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna continued with its hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available on all trims. The AWD system used a separate electric motor for the rear wheels, providing 54 hp and 89 pound-feet of torque. The Sienna's electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) offered smooth and efficient power delivery, with four selectable drive modes: Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport.

The Sienna's handling was better than expected for a minivan, thanks to the Toyota Next Generation Architecture (TNGA) platform's front suspension and steering and independent rear trailing arm suspension. The Sienna Hybrid achieved impressive fuel economy ratings, with the EPA estimating 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 it came with a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty.

The 2021 Ford Expedition's regular-length model struggled with cargo space, unable to transport more than five people and their luggage simultaneously. The extended-length Expedition MAX offered more cargo room, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 73.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 121.5 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Expedition's power-deploying running boards and large, wide seats provided comfort for all passengers, though only the front seats offered a massage function.

The Expedition's independent rear suspension ensured comfort in every seating position, and storage for odds and ends was plentiful. With the third-row seat folded down, cargo volume expanded from 19.3 cubic feet to 57.5 cubic feet, with a maximum volume of 104.6 cubic feet behind the front seats. However, the high liftover height of the cargo floor could be a challenge when loading heavy items. Despite its generous cargo space, the Expedition MAX still offered less volume than most minivans.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna excelled in cargo space and flexibility, capable of carrying a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. The sliding second row added versatility for loading luggage and freight, with cargo 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 maximum towing capacity.

The standard 60/40-split third-row bench easily stored away into the floor, and each row had ample storage cubby space and cupholders. Both side sliding doors and the rear tailgate were power-operated with foot-motion triggers, providing convenience for loading and unloading. The Sienna's design and functionality made it a practical choice for families, offering ample space and convenience for passengers and cargo alike.

The 2021 Ford Expedition featured the Sync 3 infotainment system, which, despite its age, offered a user-friendly interface. The 8-inch touchscreen display, however, appeared small and sometimes slow to respond. Sync 3 included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, FordPass Connect services, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and a navigation system. The system also supported Amazon Alexa compatibility and had an enhanced voice recognition system.

The test vehicle included a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging but lacked the available dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system. This setup, offered for all Expeditions except the XL STX, included dual viewing screens, a DVD player, gaming system inputs, and the ability to stream content from a mobile device.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna came with a 9-inch touchscreen standard in all grades, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, one USB media port, and six USB charging ports throughout the cabin. However, it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. The Sienna included a one-year trial of Safety Connect and Remote Connect telematics services, a 10-year trial of Service Connect, and a three-month trial of AT&T WiFi Connect with up to 2 gigabytes of data.

Higher trim levels offered additional features, such as Qi wireless phone charging, a 1500-watt inverter with a 120-volt AC outlet, and a 12-speaker JBL audio system. A rear-seat entertainment system was available on XLE and above, featuring an 11.6-inch 1080p display, a remote, and two wireless headphones. The Sienna also offered a color multi-information display in the instrument panel center, with a 10-inch color head-up display available on Platinum trim models. Limited and Platinum models could upgrade to a digital rearview mirror, providing a clear view of the road behind.

The 2021 Ford Expedition had a minimum curb weight of 5,368 pounds, giving it a safety advantage over most other vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Expedition a five-star overall crash-test rating, though the rear-wheel-drive (RWD) model received a three-star rollover-resistance rating, while the four-wheel-drive (4WD) model earned four stars. The Expedition came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights.

Starting with the Limited trim, the Expedition offered an available adaptive cruise control system with stop-and-go capability, a semi-autonomous parking assistance system, and a 360-degree surround-view camera system. The lane-keeping technology proved helpful on narrow Los Angeles freeways, though Ford did not offer a more advanced driving system pairing adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Sienna came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included adaptive cruise control, Lane Tracing Assist lane centering, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and traffic sign recognition. The Sienna also featured Toyota's Star Safety System, which included stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and electronic brake-force distribution.

The Sienna had 10 airbags and several LATCH child-seat connectors, with five locations for eight-passenger vans and four locations for seven-passenger models. A rear-seat reminder system was standard, as were tire-pressure monitoring and an inflator kit. Buyers could opt for a spare tire, which was now located in the wall of the cargo space for safety and convenience.