2022 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Nissan Kicks

The 2021 Nissan Kicks underwent significant exterior changes, aligning its design more closely with the 2021 Nissan Armada, forthcoming Nissan Ariya, and 2021 Nissan Rogue. The front featured a snubbed yet bold nose with a deep V-motion design, incorporating a new “double V-motion” feature. The Kicks retained the old Nissan logo and sported thinner, longer headlights extending down its face. The top-tier Kicks SR trim level boasted LED multi-reflector headlights and standard LED fog lights. At the rear, a new bumper, back door finisher, and LED taillight combination gave the Kicks a proportionate look reminiscent of the Nissan Leaf. The model year introduced new paint options, including Electric Blue Metallic, Scarlet Ember Tintcoat, and Boulder Gray Pearl, while maintaining the two-tone paint job option with a floating roof tinted Super Black.

The Kicks SR trim, which was tested, included LED headlights, LED light signature accents, LED fog lights, black heated outside mirrors with integrated turn signals, and a rear roof-mounted spoiler. The interior saw higher quality materials, drawing inspiration from the 2020 Nissan Sentra. New seat and door designs, along with a full center console armrest in the mid-range Kicks SV and Kicks SR, were highlights. The Kicks SR Premium Package offered Prima-Tex-appointed seating with a three-tone design and stitching. Buyers could further customize their Kicks with over 100 million available color combinations from the Nissan Kicks Color Studio accessories catalog.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna, continuing from its 2021 redesign, aimed to blend SUV style with minivan functionality. It featured a macho front end and re-engineered door hinges and slides to conceal the slider channel below the rear side window frame. The rear doors had integrated styling details, and the overall profile was assertive with a nice stance. The base models came with 17-inch wheels, while upper trims offered 18-inch and 20-inch wheels. The interior avoided a minivan feel with an uncluttered design and ample storage, including an under-console open storage area, big door pockets, and numerous cup holders. The second and third rows provided roomy 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 stored away into the floor, and the second-row seats slid up to 25 inches for easy access to the third row.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks came with a single powertrain option: a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque, paired with Nissan’s Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive (FWD). The Kicks featured electric power-assisted steering with vehicle-speed variable assist, making it nimble in various driving conditions. Its handling was supported by a front independent strut stabilizer bar suspension with twist beam and twin-tube shock absorbers. Despite being low-powered, the Kicks had a good power-to-weight ratio, making it adequately powered for its size. The Kicks SR tester maintained good performance on icy roads, with minimal engine noise except under heavy acceleration. The Kicks S trim rode on 16-inch steel wheels, while the SV and SR trims had 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, with an option to upgrade to 17-inch black alloy wheels. The Kicks also featured a traction control system, stability control system, hill start assist, and standard auto-hold. The Kicks S had a front disc/rear drum antilock braking system, while the SV and SR trims had rear disc brakes. The Kicks SR included an integrated dynamic-control module with active engine brake, intelligent trace control, and intelligent ride control. The EPA rated the Kicks at 31 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined, with a range of 356 miles on a single tank of gas.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna carried over its hybrid powertrain from 2021, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, producing a combined 243 horsepower. FWD was standard, with AWD available on all trims. The AWD system added a separate electric motor driving the rear wheels with 54 hp and 89 pound-feet of torque. The Sienna used an electronically controlled CVT, offering four selectable drive modes: Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport. The handling was enhanced by the Toyota Next Generation Architecture (TNGA) platform’s front suspension and steering and independent rear trailing arm suspension. The Sienna Hybrid achieved impressive EPA fuel economy ratings of 36 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 36 mpg combined for FWD models, and 35 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 35 mpg combined for AWD models. The 288-volt nickel metal-hydride battery pack was tucked under the front seats, with a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks made the most of its small size with easy-to-reach buttons and knobs throughout the cabin. It offered good small-item storage, easy-access USB ports, and multiple smartphone storage options. The climate controls were user-friendly, and the seat warmers provided quick and adequate warmth. The Kicks SR tester included a heated steering wheel. The Kicks featured a D-shaped steering wheel, six-way adjustable driver’s seat, four-way adjustable front passenger seat, and 60/40 split-folding rear seat as standard. The electronic parking brake freed up center console space. The Kicks had best-in-class front seat legroom, though the hip room proportions made the front seats feel compartmentalized for larger drivers. Adults could fit comfortably in the back seats. The available tonneau cover provided hidden storage, covering about two-thirds of the rear cargo area.

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 had a 3,500-pound maximum towing capacity. The standard 60/40-split third-row bench stored away into the floor easily. Each row had storage cubby space and cupholders, with bottle holders in all four side doors. The side sliding doors and rear tailgate were power-operated with foot-motion triggers, providing convenience for loading and unloading.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks offered a range of modern technology features, surpassing some competitors like the Chevrolet Trax and Ford EcoSport. The base model Kicks S included a 7-inch infotainment touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, three USB ports, keyless entry, push-button start, and Easy Fill Tire Alert. The Kicks SV added Nissan Intelligent Key, automatic climate control, a 7-inch driver information screen, satellite radio, remote engine start, and a USB-C port. The Kicks SR Premium Package featured a class-exclusive Bose Personal Plus sound system with eight speakers, including two 2.5-inch Bose UltraNearfield neodymium speakers in the headrests of the front seats. The Kicks also offered a surround-view monitor, WiFi hot spot, and NissanConnect services.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna came with a wealth of standard and available technology features. A 9-inch touchscreen was standard in all grades, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, one USB media port, and six USB charging ports throughout the cabin. The Sienna 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. Bluetooth hands-free and audio streaming were standard on all trims. Qi wireless phone charging was standard on Limited and Platinum models. The audio system ranged from a six-speaker setup on the LE to a 12-speaker JBL system on higher trims. A rear-seat entertainment system was available on XLE and above, featuring an 11.6-inch 1080p display. The Sienna also offered a color multi-information display, a 10-inch color head-up display on Platinum trims, and a digital rearview mirror on Limited and Platinum models. Remote keyless entry with push-button start was standard, upgraded to Smart Key System on XLE and above trims.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, a suite of driver-assistance and safety features including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. The Kicks had 10 airbags, with a driver alertness monitor and rear door alert standard on Kicks SV and SR. The 2021 Kicks had not been crash-tested by the IIHS, but the 2020 model received Good marks in crashworthiness. The 2020 Kicks received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

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 had 10 airbags and several LATCH child-seat connectors. A rear-seat reminder system was standard, along with tire-pressure monitoring and an inflator kit. Buyers could opt for a spare tire, which was relocated to the wall of the cargo space for safety and convenience.