2021 Subaru Ascent vs 2022 Toyota Sienna

When the 2021 Subaru Ascent was introduced, it filled a significant gap in Subaru's lineup, which had been missing a three-row SUV. The Ascent's design drew heavily from Subaru's smaller models like the Forester and Outback, but scaled up to accommodate three rows of seating. The interior mirrored this approach, with a dashboard design that was familiar to Subaru enthusiasts. The Ascent was available in four trims: Standard, Premium, Limited, and Touring, each offering progressively more features and amenities.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, embraced its minivan identity while incorporating SUV-like styling cues. Toyota's long history with minivans, dating back to the 1980s, culminated in the fourth-generation Sienna, which debuted in 2021. The Sienna featured a bold front end and cleverly concealed sliding door channels, giving it a more assertive profile. Inside, the Sienna offered a spacious and versatile cabin with ample storage and seating options, including available second-row captain's chairs with ottomans and a standard third-row bench that folded into the floor.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. The Ascent's ride prioritized comfort, making it suitable for various driving conditions, including snow and light off-roading, thanks to its 8.7 inches of ground clearance and X-Mode system. The Ascent could tow up to 5,000 pounds and included Trailer Stability Assist as a standard feature.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna came exclusively with a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive was standard, but all-wheel drive was available on all trim levels. The Sienna used an electronically controlled CVT, offering four selectable drive modes: Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport. 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 Hybrid was its impressive fuel economy, with EPA ratings of 36 mpg city/highway/combined for FWD models and 35 mpg city/highway/combined for AWD models. The Sienna's 288-volt nickel metal-hydride battery pack was tucked under the front seats and came with a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent offered 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 47.5 cubic feet with the third row folded and up to 86.5 cubic feet with all rear seats down. While this was generous for its class, some rivals like the Volkswagen Atlas and Chevrolet Traverse offered more. The Ascent could seat up to eight passengers in its base configuration, with the option for second-row captain's chairs reducing capacity to seven. The first two rows were spacious, while the third row was better suited for children on longer trips. The Ascent featured 19 cupholders and numerous storage compartments throughout the cabin.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna excelled in cargo capacity and versatility. It could accommodate a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. 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 towing capacity. The standard 60/40-split third-row bench folded into the floor easily, and each row had ample storage cubbies and cupholders. Both side sliding doors and the rear tailgate were power-operated with foot-motion triggers, adding convenience for busy families.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent featured the StarLink infotainment system with logical menu layouts and large icons. The Ascent's touchscreens, available in 6.5-inch and 8-inch sizes, were complemented by hard buttons and dials. Standard tech included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two front and two second-row USB ports, satellite radio, and Bluetooth connectivity. Optional features included third-row USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium stereo.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna boasted a 9-inch touchscreen standard across all trims, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and multiple USB ports. While it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it offered a range of telematics services, Bluetooth hands-free and audio streaming, and optional Qi wireless phone charging. Higher trims featured a 12-speaker JBL audio system and an available rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. The Sienna also offered a digital rearview mirror and a head-up display on Platinum models, enhancing driver convenience and safety.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, thanks to its crash test performance and Subaru's EyeSight suite of driver-assistance features. EyeSight included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and a feature that alerted drivers when the vehicle in front had moved. The Ascent also offered optional safety features like reverse automatic emergency braking, rain-sensing windshield wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna also received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. The Sienna came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which 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 10 airbags, multiple LATCH child-seat connectors, a rear-seat reminder system, tire-pressure monitoring, and an inflator kit, with an optional spare tire for added convenience.