2022 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Kia Sportage

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured a distinctive design with its tiger-nose grille and bulbous headlights, which some might have likened to a frog-like appearance. Despite this, Kia described the styling as "Euro-focused." The two-row crossover SUV had a short wheelbase and overhangs, making it well-suited for urban environments. The headlights were carried over from the previous year, and the Sportage offered wheel options ranging from 17 to 19 inches. Inside, an 8-inch touchscreen served as the focal point, complemented by air vents and physical controls for tuning and volume. The interior, while not the most advanced, provided a comfortable experience with features like cupholders and the older Kia logo on the steering wheel.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Sienna embraced its minivan identity while incorporating SUV-like styling elements. Toyota's commitment to the minivan segment was evident in the Sienna's evolution, with the latest model showcasing a bold front end and cleverly engineered sliding doors. The Sienna's design included integrated styling details and a confident stance, with wheel sizes ranging from 17 to 20 inches. Inside, the Sienna offered a spacious and versatile cabin, with ample storage and seating options, including available second-row captain’s chairs and a standard third-row bench. The interior was designed to avoid the typical minivan feel, providing a comfortable and practical environment for families.

The 2021 Kia Sportage was available in LX, EX, and SX Turbo trims, with both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options. The LX and EX trims were powered by a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine, delivering 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. The SX Turbo trim featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine, producing 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. All models were equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy for the FWD Sportage with the 2.4-liter engine was 23 mpg city, 30 highway, and 26 combined, while AWD models saw a slight decrease. The turbocharged models had lower fuel efficiency, with the FWD version achieving 20/28/23 mpg and the AWD version 19/24/21 mpg. The Sportage's suspension provided a smooth ride, though the steering and tire grip left room for improvement.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna, continuing from the previous year, featured a hybrid powertrain as standard. It combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, producing a total of 243 horsepower. FWD was standard, with AWD available across all trims. The AWD system utilized a separate electric motor for the rear wheels, simplifying the drivetrain. The Sienna employed an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), offering four selectable drive modes. The TNGA platform contributed to better-than-expected handling for a minivan, with minimal body roll and comfortable highway cruising. The Sienna Hybrid boasted impressive fuel economy, with FWD models achieving 36 mpg city/highway/combined and AWD models slightly lower. The hybrid battery was strategically placed under the front seats, backed by a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty.

The 2021 Kia Sportage, while on the smaller side of the compact crossover segment, offered decent interior space for passengers. The SX Turbo trim featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and an 8-way power-adjustable passenger seat, with heated and ventilated options. Rear legroom and headroom were adequate, but cargo space was limited, with 30.7 cubic feet behind the second row and 60.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, falling short compared to competitors.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna excelled as a family workhorse, capable of accommodating a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. The sliding second row added flexibility for cargo loading, 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 third-row bench easily stored away, and each row offered ample storage and cupholders. Power-operated sliding doors and tailgate, with foot-motion triggers, added convenience for busy families.

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured an 8-inch touchscreen interface with standard Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB ports. Most trims included Kia's UVO Link connected services. The SX Turbo trim added wireless charging and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The technology was user-friendly, with logical menus and physical controls, though not groundbreaking.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna came equipped with a 9-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and multiple USB ports. However, it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sienna offered a range of telematics services, including Safety Connect and Remote Connect trials, and a 1500-watt inverter for powering devices. Audio systems varied by trim, with a 12-speaker JBL system available on higher trims. A rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display was optional. The Sienna also featured a color multi-information display and an available head-up display on Platinum trims. Limited and Platinum models offered a digital rearview mirror for enhanced visibility.

The 2021 Kia Sportage boasted a strong safety suite, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and a driver-monitoring system. The SX Turbo trim added adaptive cruise control. The Sportage received Top Safety Pick status from the IIHS and performed well in NHTSA crash tests.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was expected to maintain its Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and received 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 10 airbags, multiple LATCH connectors, a rear-seat reminder system, tire-pressure monitoring, and an inflator kit. A spare tire was available, with a new location for added safety and convenience.