2021 Hyundai Venue vs 2022 Toyota Sienna

The 2021 Hyundai Venue was a stylish little crossover that managed to maintain its appeal over time. Its upright stance, horizontal roofline, and steeply dropping tailgate gave it a unique look that belied its small size. The grille was appropriately sized, drawing attention without overwhelming the design, and the roof rails added a touch of practicality. The Venue's exterior updates from the 2020 model were minimal, with the most notable change being the replacement of 15-inch steel wheels with alloys on the base SE trim. The top-line Denim trim, with its distinctive white roof and unique paint job, was particularly eye-catching, while the SEL trim offered great value with standard features that were previously part of an extra-cost package.

Inside, the Venue's cabin was a mix of inexpensive materials, with plastic dominating the interior. Despite this, the design felt modern, and the car's shape allowed for plenty of natural light. The SEL trim offered heated seats and a power sunroof, although the latter looked somewhat cheap. The Venue's interior was practical, with thin A-pillars and large windows creating a greenhouse effect. While the materials were budget-friendly, the Venue proved that an affordable car didn't have to feel bare-bones.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, embraced its minivan identity while incorporating SUV-like styling cues. Its macho front end and cleverly engineered sliding doors gave it a more assertive profile. The Sienna's interior was designed with family needs in mind, offering ample storage and seating flexibility. The second-row seats could slide up to 25 inches, making access to the third row easy. The third-row bench was a 60/40-split that stored away into the floor, providing a spacious cargo area. The Sienna's power-operated sliding doors and tailgate, with foot-motion triggers, added convenience for busy families.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue was equipped with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. This small, economical engine was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), as Hyundai discontinued the six-speed manual option. The Venue's front-wheel-drive setup was the only option, with no all-wheel-drive available. Despite its modest power, the Venue's lightweight design allowed it to feel lively in lower-speed areas, although it lagged behind competitors like the Nissan Kicks and Ford EcoSport in terms of performance.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Sienna featured a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. The Sienna offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, with the latter using an additional electric motor for the rear wheels. The electronically controlled CVT provided smooth power delivery, and the Sienna's handling was surprisingly good for a minivan, thanks to its advanced suspension system. The Sienna's hybrid setup delivered impressive fuel economy, with EPA ratings of 36 mpg city/highway/combined for FWD models and 35 mpg for AWD models.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue offered decent interior space for its size, with ample headroom and legroom in the front seats. Storage options included a tray ahead of the gear selector and a small center console bin. However, the back seat was tighter, with limited legroom for adults. Cargo space was also limited, with 18.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 31.9 cubic feet with them folded down. The Venue's cargo capacity lagged behind competitors like the Nissan Kicks and Ford EcoSport.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, excelled in interior space and versatility. It could accommodate a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed, and the sliding second row added flexibility for loading cargo. With the second row in its default position, the Sienna offered 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101 cubic feet behind the first row. The Sienna also boasted a 3,500-pound towing capacity, making it a practical choice for families with diverse needs.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue was well-equipped with technology, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with high resolution and responsive swipe functionality. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard features. The Venue's interface was designed for ease of use, with physical buttons for quick access to media and settings. The system also allowed for driver profiles, making it convenient for families with multiple drivers.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna came with a wealth of standard and available technology features. A 9-inch touchscreen was standard across all trims, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The Sienna also offered a range of telematics services, including Safety Connect and Remote Connect. Higher trims featured a 12-speaker JBL audio system and a rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. The Sienna's technology package was comprehensive, catering to the needs of modern families.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue came with a suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and driver-attention warning. The SEL and Denim trims added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. In crash tests, the Venue received four out of five stars from the NHTSA for driver-side and passenger-side front collisions and rollover.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was highly rated for safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. The Sienna's standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite included adaptive cruise control, lane tracing assist, forward collision warning, and more. The Sienna also featured 10 airbags and multiple LATCH connectors for child seats, making it a safe choice for families.