2022 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE had a mixed reception regarding its exterior design. While it featured an aggressive nose and a sloping, low hood, the design seemed to lose its appeal past the A-pillar, making it almost indistinguishable from its predecessors. The flat taillights and contoured rear helped mitigate its minivan-like appearance, but it still lacked the pitch-perfect proportions seen in competitors like BMW, Audi, and Jaguar. Even in AMG trim, the GLE struggled to match the visual impact of rivals such as the BMW X5 M or Porsche Cayenne Turbo. However, the interior was a different story. The 2021 GLE's cabin was a masterpiece of quality, layout, colors, and textures. The red and black interior was both loud and luxurious, surpassing even Porsche and Audi in opulence. The twin arching grab handles on the center console, outlined with LED lighting, were a standout feature, emphasizing the GLE's focus on comfort and style.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Sienna embraced its minivan identity while incorporating SUV-like styling cues. The macho front end and re-engineered door hinges and slides gave it a more assertive profile. The interior was designed with family convenience in mind, offering an uncluttered front cabin and ample storage 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 bench could easily store away into the floor, and the second-row seats slid up to 25 inches for easy access. The Sienna's interior was practical and family-friendly, with clever storage solutions and abundant cup holders.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE excelled as a multi-purpose vehicle, offering a range of advanced suspension and engine setups. The base GLE 350 featured a 255 hp engine with 273 lb-ft of torque, while the GLE 450 boasted a turbo 3.0-liter inline-six with 362 hp and 369 lb-ft. The AMG GLE 53 took this further with 429 hp and 384 lb-ft, thanks to an electric supercharger. The GLE 580 had a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 with 483 hp and 516 lb-ft, and the AMG GLE 63 S topped the range with 603 hp and 627 lb-ft. The GLE's hybrid system, powered by a 48-volt battery, provided up to 21 additional horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque for brief periods. Despite its power, the GLE's fuel efficiency was average, with the six-cylinder GLE 450 returning 21/26/23 mpg and the eight-cylinder GLE 580 rated at 16/21/18 mpg. The GLE's driving experience was exceptional, with a smooth ride, precise steering, and impressive towing capacity of up to 7,700 pounds.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, came exclusively with a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. The Sienna offered both FWD and AWD options, with the AWD system adding a separate electric motor for the rear wheels. The electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) provided smooth and efficient power delivery. The Sienna's handling was surprisingly good for a minivan, thanks to its Toyota Next Generation Architecture (TNGA) platform. The big news for the Sienna was its impressive fuel economy, with FWD models achieving 36 mpg city/36 mpg highway/36 mpg combined, and AWD models getting 35 mpg city/36 mpg highway/35 mpg 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 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a spacious interior, with most models being roomy two-row SUVs. An optional third-row allowed seating for seven, with power controls for the second-row seats. Cargo capacity was 34 cubic feet behind the second row and 75 cubic feet with all rows folded. The GLE Coupe, however, was more limited, with 23 cubic feet behind the second row and 61 cubic feet with all rows folded. The new MBUX infotainment system improved usability, featuring a single touchpad and a simplified interface. Seat controls on the doors, rocker switches on the center console, and shortcuts for driving modes on the steering wheel were all user-friendly. However, the Coupe's rear doors and narrow openings made access more challenging.

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 stored away easily, 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 for added convenience.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE was packed with advanced technology. The main 12-inch display was a touchscreen equipped with Interior Assistant, which could read hand gestures. The AMG models featured a Track Pace app, seat kinetics, and a head-up display with customizable layouts. The ambient lighting had 64 colors, and the navigation system could overlay arrows and street names on the front camera feed. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a natural voice assistant, added to the GLE's tech-savvy appeal. The semi-automated functionality could change lanes and slow down for curves by itself, making the GLE one of the most technologically advanced SUVs on the market.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna also offered a wealth of technology features. A 9-inch touchscreen was standard, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The Sienna came with 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 included on all trim levels. Higher trims featured a 12-speaker JBL audio system and an optional rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. A color multi-information display in the instrument panel center provided essential information, and Platinum trim models had a 10-inch color head-up display. Limited and Platinum models could upgrade to a digital rearview mirror, and remote keyless entry with push-button start was standard.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and featured standard blind-spot monitoring and a driver attention monitor. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, evasive steering assist, front cross-traffic braking, and semi-automated control. The GLE also had Pre-Safe Sound, which played a "pink noise" to reduce hearing damage in a crash, and Pre-Safe Impulse Side, which could inflate the side bolsters of the front seats to better position occupants during a side impact.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna also received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (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 had 10 airbags, several LATCH child-seat connectors, and a rear-seat reminder system. Tire-pressure monitoring and an inflator kit were standard, with an optional spare tire for added convenience.