2021 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2022 Toyota Sienna

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek was a testament to Subaru's strategy of transforming the Impreza hatchback into a crossover with rugged aesthetics, standard all-wheel drive, and a higher driving position. This approach mirrored the success of the larger Outback, allowing the Crosstrek to stand out with its black body cladding, model-specific 17-inch wheels, and an impressive 8.7 inches of ground clearance. The Crosstrek's design gave it an SUV-like character, enhanced by vibrant color options like Plasma Yellow Pearl. Despite its SUV mimicry, the Crosstrek retained the Subaru Global Platform, ensuring a refined driving experience, although the interior remained functional yet plain, with some questionable design choices like clashing color accents.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Sienna embraced its minivan identity while incorporating SUV styling cues. Toyota's commitment to the minivan segment was evident in the Sienna's assertive profile, with re-engineered door hinges and slides for a sleek appearance. The interior was designed with family convenience in mind, offering ample storage, comfortable seating, and a spacious third row that folded into the floor. The Sienna's design prioritized practicality, with power-operated sliding doors and tailgate, making it a versatile choice for families. The Sienna's interior avoided the typical minivan feel, providing a modern and uncluttered cabin experience.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered two gasoline powertrains, with the Sport and Limited trims featuring a 2.5-liter boxer-four engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The base and Premium trims continued with a 2.0-liter engine delivering 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. Subaru's signature boxer engine provided a lower center of gravity, enhancing handling, although the raised ride height somewhat negated this benefit. The Crosstrek's standard all-wheel drive, with torque vectoring and X-Mode, offered some off-road capability, but it was primarily suited for on-road use. The new 2.5-liter engine provided adequate acceleration, though the CVT's droning was noticeable.

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. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available, adding a separate electric motor for the rear wheels. The Sienna's electronically controlled CVT delivered smooth power and impressive fuel efficiency, with EPA ratings of 36 mpg city/highway/combined for FWD models and 35 mpg for AWD models. The Sienna's handling was surprisingly good for a minivan, thanks to its TNGA platform, providing a comfortable and stable ride.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered competitive passenger space, with the same front and rear legroom as the Impreza hatchback. It provided slightly more rear headroom and 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place, expanding to 55.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. While it offered more cargo space than some competitors, it lagged behind others like the Honda HR-V and Kia Seltos. The Crosstrek featured a rear-seat reminder system and a practical front cubby with USB ports, though storage space was limited.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior space, capable of accommodating a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. It offered 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101 cubic feet behind the first row. The Sienna's 3,500-pound towing capacity added to its versatility. The power-operated sliding doors and tailgate, along with ample storage and cupholders, made it a family-friendly choice.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek featured the Starlink infotainment system with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and additional features like WiFi and SiriusXM. The Crosstrek's infotainment system was user-friendly, with large analog knobs and buttons for essential functions, ensuring ease of use.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna boasted a 9-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. It included a range of telematics services, Bluetooth, and optional Qi wireless charging. The Sienna's audio system 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 also offered. The Sienna's technology package included a head-up display and a digital rearview mirror, enhancing convenience and safety.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS for the 2020 model. It featured the EyeSight driver-assist suite with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The Crosstrek's safety features were effective, though the EyeSight cameras had some limitations.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and automatic emergency braking. The Sienna also featured 10 airbags, LATCH connectors, and a rear-seat reminder system, making it a safe choice for families.