2021 Hyundai Tucson vs 2022 Toyota Sienna

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson had a more conventional styling compared to its futuristic successor. It featured an upright layout that provided a commanding view of the road. Inside, the Tucson boasted a modern and attractive dash design, seamlessly integrating tech features into the overall aesthetic. Every button and dial was easy to find, making the interior user-friendly and visually appealing.

Trim levels for the 2021 Tucson included SE, Value, SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate. The base SE trim came with 17-inch alloy wheels, manually adjustable front seats, a digital driver information display, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims added features like LED headlight accents, heated side mirrors, roof rails, and more luxurious interior options such as leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof.

Toyota never shied away from the minivan market, and the 2022 Sienna was a testament to that commitment. The Sienna featured an assertive profile with a macho front end and cleverly re-engineered door hinges and slides to conceal the slider channel. The rear doors had integrated styling details, and the overall stance was both assertive and stylish. Base models came with 17-inch wheels, while upper trims offered 18-inch and even 20-inch wheels.

Inside, the Sienna avoided the typical minivan feel with an uncluttered design and ample storage options. The second and third rows provided roomy and comfortable seating, with available second-row captain’s chairs and a spacious three-across bench in the third row. The third row was a 60/40-split bench that easily stored away into the floor, and the second-row seats could slide up to 25 inches for easy access to the third row.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered two engine options. The base engine was a 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 161 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. The SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate trims came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that delivered 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and came with standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional all-wheel drive (AWD).

The base engine felt underwhelming, especially at highway speeds, making the 2.4-liter engine a better choice for more lively performance around town. The Tucson provided a comfortable and refined ride, striking a balance between softness and athleticism. With the base engine, the Tucson could tow up to 1,500 pounds, while the 2.4-liter engine increased the towing capacity to 2,000 pounds.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna carried over its hybrid powertrain from the previous year. It featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine combined with two electric motors, producing a total of 243 horsepower. FWD was standard, but AWD was available on all trim levels, adding a separate electric motor for the rear wheels. The Sienna used an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), offering four selectable drive modes: Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport.

Handling was impressive 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 delivered excellent fuel economy, with EPA 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 came with a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson provided 31 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 61.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While this was on the lower side for the compact SUV segment, it offered adequate space for weekend bags or large boxes. Higher trims like the Tucson Sport featured a hands-free power liftgate for added convenience.

Despite its compact layout, the Tucson offered solid front-seat headroom and legroom, with comfortable and supportive seats even on long trips. The rear seats were accommodating enough for adults on road trips. The interior had plenty of cubbies and compartments, with helpful trays for the driver’s essentials.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was designed to be a family workhorse, capable of carrying a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. The sliding second row added flexibility for loading luggage and freight. Cargo measurements were 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. Each row had ample storage cubby space and cupholders, with bottle holders in all four side doors. Both side sliding doors and the rear tailgate were power-operated with foot-motion triggers, making it easy to access the vehicle with full hands.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ultimate trim offered an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen, which was optional on other trims. The touchscreen was user-friendly with logical menu layouts and helpful hard buttons. Additional available features included navigation, satellite radio, and wireless device charging.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was packed with standard and available technology features. A 9-inch touchscreen was standard across all grades, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM. The Sienna also 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.

Higher trims offered Qi wireless phone charging, a 1500-watt inverter with a 120-volt AC outlet, and a rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch 1080p display. The instrument panel featured a color multi-information display, with a 10-inch color head-up display available on Platinum trims. Limited and Platinum models could upgrade to a digital rearview mirror, providing a clear view of the road behind even with a full load of passengers.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered a solid list of standard driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver drowsiness monitoring. Upper-tier trims added features like adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, automatic high-beams, a 360-degree parking monitor, and blind-spot monitoring. The Tucson earned five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

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 child-seat connectors, a rear-seat reminder system, tire-pressure monitoring, and an inflator kit. A spare tire was available, mounted in the wall of the cargo space for safety and convenience.