2022 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2021 Subaru Forester, despite its 2019 redesign, retained a somewhat dated appearance, largely carrying over from its previous generation. The most noticeable change was the distinctive cross-shaped taillights. Subaru seemed to follow the adage, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," maintaining the boxy, upright shape that appealed to many SUV shoppers. The Base trim level appeared plain with 17-inch steel wheels, but the Forester's clean and unpretentious look stood out among compact crossovers. The Sport model added orange striping, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels, which made a significant visual impact, especially with complementary paint colors like Dark Blue Pearl.

Underneath, the Forester shared the Subaru Global Platform with other models like the Impreza and Outback. The interior was practical, with materials designed to withstand years of use. The Sport trim added orange accents, while higher trims offered leather upholstery and heated features. The Forester's interior was functional, with large knobs for audio and climate control, though the steering wheel's numerous buttons could be confusing.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna embraced its minivan identity while incorporating SUV-like styling cues. Toyota re-engineered the door hinges and slides to conceal the slider channel, giving the Sienna a sleek profile. The front end was assertive, and the overall stance was robust. Base models came with 17-inch wheels, while upper trims offered 18-inch and 20-inch options. The interior was designed to avoid the typical minivan feel, with an uncluttered front cabin and ample storage throughout. The second and third rows provided comfortable, roomy seating, with available captain’s chairs and a spacious third-row bench that folded into the floor.

The Sienna's interior was family-friendly, with power-operated sliding doors and tailgate, and numerous storage cubbies and cupholders. The flexible seating arrangement allowed for easy loading of cargo, and the Sienna could even accommodate a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. The minivan's design prioritized convenience and practicality, making it an ideal choice for families.

The 2021 Subaru Forester featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The engine's boxer configuration provided a lower center of gravity. The Forester had a 1,500-pound towing capacity and standard Trailer Stability Assist. While the power was adequate for most situations, it lacked the thrust needed for highway merging and overtaking. The suspension was tuned for comfort, resulting in poor body control and noticeable body roll in corners. The Forester's all-wheel-drive system, standard across all trims, included X-Mode for different surfaces and hill-descent control on higher trims. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance, the Forester handled mud and dirt better than most compact crossovers but wasn't suited for serious off-roading.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna continued with its 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 on all trims. The AWD system used a separate electric motor for the rear wheels, simplifying the drivetrain. The Sienna's electronically controlled CVT provided smooth and efficient power delivery, with selectable drive modes (Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport). The Sienna's handling was impressive for a minivan, with minimal body roll and a comfortable ride. The hybrid powertrain delivered excellent fuel economy, with EPA ratings of 36 mpg city/highway/combined for FWD models and 35 mpg 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 Subaru Forester offered generous headroom and legroom in both rows, thanks to its tall, flat roofline. The large windows provided excellent visibility and a spacious feel but could let in too much sunlight. Cargo space was ample, with 35.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 76.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Forester had more cargo space than some competitors but lacked a sliding second-row bench. A power liftgate was available on higher trims. The interior featured decently sized cupholders and a reasonably sized center console, though the phone-storage cubby was too small, and wireless charging wasn't offered. The large knobs for audio and climate control were user-friendly, but the steering wheel's numerous buttons could be confusing.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior space and flexibility. It could carry a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed, and the sliding second row added versatility for loading cargo. 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 towing capacity. The third-row bench folded into the floor easily, and each row had ample storage cubbies and cupholders. Power-operated sliding doors and tailgate with foot-motion triggers added convenience, making it easy to access the interior with hands full.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came with the Subaru Starlink infotainment system, featuring a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and front-row USB ports. Sport models upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen and Harman Kardon audio system, while higher trims added navigation and rear USB ports. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with well-designed graphics and backup analog controls, but the screen was slow to boot up. The Forester also had a secondary screen in the dashboard and a small screen in the instrument cluster, displaying secondary information like fuel economy and tire pressure. The setup was somewhat complex, with redundant information on multiple screens.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna boasted a wealth of standard and available technology features. A 9-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and multiple USB ports was standard. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not available. 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, with Qi wireless phone charging available on higher trims. Audio systems ranged from a six-speaker setup on the base model to a 12-speaker JBL system on higher trims. A rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display was available. The Sienna also featured a color multi-information display in the instrument panel and an optional 10-inch head-up display on Platinum models. Limited and Platinum trims could upgrade to a digital rearview mirror, providing a clear view of the road behind.

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in safety, earning the highest "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The Forester came standard with Subaru's EyeSight suite of driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lead-vehicle start alert. EyeSight's adaptive cruise control and lane-centering functions performed adequately, though the latter's steering inputs were jerky. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking. The Forester also featured a driver-monitoring system, ensuring drivers remained attentive.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna also received top safety ratings, with a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and a five-star overall 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, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and traffic sign recognition. The Sienna also featured the Star Safety System, with stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and electronic brake-force distribution. The Sienna had 10 airbags and multiple LATCH child-seat connectors, as well as a rear-seat reminder system. Tire-pressure monitoring and an inflator kit were standard, with an optional spare tire mounted in the cargo space for safety and convenience.