2022 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2021 Lexus GX 460’s styling was a testament to its long tenure on the market. Retaining the same basic body shell from a decade ago, it had undergone several updates over the years, including the addition of Lexus’ trademark spindle grille in 2014, which was further refined in 2020 with a new textured insert and triple-beam LED headlights. The 2021 model didn’t introduce any new styling changes, but it did make silver 18-inch wheels standard on the Premium trim level, with 19-inch wheels available as an option. Despite its age, the GX’s tough, aggressive look remained distinctive and appealing to SUV shoppers.

However, the interior of the GX did not meet the standards of a modern luxury SUV. The wood trim in the Premium test car felt like molded plastic, and there was an abundance of actual plastic throughout the cabin. While standard leather upholstery was a plus, the overall interior design felt dated. The semi-aniline leather on the range-topping Luxury trim level offered a slight improvement, but the GX’s interior still lagged behind its competitors in terms of luxury and refinement.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, embraced its minivan identity while incorporating SUV-like styling cues. The latest generation, launched in 2021, featured a macho front end and re-engineered door hinges and slides that buried the slider channel below the rear side window frame, giving it a cleaner look. The rear doors had integrated styling details, and the overall profile was assertive with a nice stance. The Sienna offered 17-inch wheels on base models, with 18-inch and 20-inch wheels available on higher trims.

Inside, the Sienna avoided the typical minivan feel with an uncluttered front cabin design and clever storage solutions throughout. The second and third rows provided comfortable, roomy seating, with available second-row captain’s chairs and a spacious three-across bench in the third row. The third row, a 60/40-split bench, easily stored away into the floor, enhancing cargo flexibility. The Sienna’s interior was designed with family convenience in mind, offering ample storage cubbies, cupholders, and power-operated sliding doors and tailgate with foot-motion triggers for hands-free access.

The 2021 Lexus GX kept things simple with a single powertrain option: a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX 460’s performance was a throwback to an earlier era of SUVs. While the V8 engine provided ample power for acceleration (0 to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds), the vehicle’s 5,130-pound weight was noticeable at higher speeds, requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking. Braking also demanded more forethought, and the body-on-frame construction resulted in a less refined ride quality with noticeable body roll in corners.

Despite these drawbacks, the GX excelled in off-road capability. It featured a Torsen center differential that could split torque 40/60 front to rear or lock for a 50/50 split, a standard 4WD system with a low range, and several driver aids like hill-descent control and hill-start assist. The optional Off-Road Package added features like a transmission cooler, fuel-tank protector, multi-view camera system, Crawl Control, and Multi-Terrain Select. With 8.1 inches of ground clearance and respectable approach, departure, and break-over angles, the GX was well-equipped for off-road adventures. It also had a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna, continuing from its 2021 redesign, came exclusively with a hybrid powertrain. This system combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, producing a total of 243 horsepower. FWD was standard, with AWD available on all trims, adding a separate electric motor for the rear wheels. The Sienna used an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), offering smooth and efficient power delivery. Drivers could choose from four drive modes: Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport.

The Sienna’s handling was surprisingly good for a minivan, thanks to the Toyota Next Generation Architecture (TNGA) platform’s front suspension and steering, and independent rear trailing arm suspension. Body roll was minimal, and the Sienna provided a comfortable and composed ride on the highway. The big news was its impressive fuel economy, with the EPA rating FWD models at 36 mpg city/highway/combined, and AWD models at 35 mpg city/highway/combined. The Sienna’s 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 Lexus GX’s interior ergonomics reflected its age. The upright dashboard and high center console limited legroom, and the steering wheel’s odd angle, combined with the tall seating position, made driving feel like operating a bus. The new heated wood-trimmed steering wheel on Premium models had heating elements that didn’t cover the entire wheel. The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, but forward visibility was hindered by the tall hood.

Storage space in the GX was limited, with small center-console storage bins, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders. The second-row cupholders took up a lot of space in the fold-down armrest. However, the array of buttons and knobs for climate control and seat heaters were user-friendly. The GX came standard with three rows of seating for seven, with an optional power-folding third row. Accessing the third row was challenging due to the second-row seats. Cargo space was also limited, with only 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded, and minimal space with the third row up.

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 cargo, 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 maximum towing capacity. The standard 60/40-split third-row bench easily stored away into the floor, and each row had ample storage cubbies and cupholders.

Both side sliding doors and the rear tailgate were power-operated with foot-motion triggers, making it easy to access the vehicle with hands full. The Sienna’s interior was designed with family convenience in mind, offering plenty of storage space and power-operated features for added convenience.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, reflecting its decade-old design. Standard features included Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not available. The GX had two USB ports for each of the first two rows, but none for the third row. An optional 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system was available. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functionality, with a separate display for time and temperature using a seven-segment format. However, the analog controls for most functions were user-friendly, providing a refreshing alternative to screen-centric interfaces.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna, in contrast, was packed with technology features. A 9-inch touchscreen was standard on all trims, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, one USB media port, and six USB charging ports throughout the cabin. While wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not available, the Sienna offered 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. Bluetooth hands-free and audio streaming were standard, with Qi wireless phone charging available on higher trims.

Audio systems ranged from a six-speaker setup on the LE to a 12-speaker JBL system on higher trims. An optional rear-seat entertainment system featured an 11.6-inch 1080p display, remote, and wireless headphones. The instrument panel included a color multi-information display, with a 10-inch head-up display available on Platinum models. Limited and Platinum trims could also upgrade to a digital rearview mirror, providing a clear view of the road behind. Remote keyless entry with push-button start was standard, with the Smart Key System available on higher trims.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. However, it came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, which included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. The GX missed out on some advanced safety features available in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.

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 with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and traffic sign recognition. The Sienna also featured the Star Safety System, which included stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and electronic brake-force distribution.

The Sienna came with 10 airbags and multiple LATCH child-seat connectors, with five locations for eight-passenger models and four 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.