2022 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was designed to avoid the stereotypical label of a mundane family SUV. With its distinctive aesthetics, it stood out among its competitors for better or worse. The front end's design was less dramatic compared to the 2021 Sienna minivan's bullet-train-inspired styling. Still, it boasted wide headlights, a long hood, and an assertive trapezoidal grille, making a strong impression.

Side profiles revealed a character line reminiscent of the Supra sports car, bestowing a sporty touch. The rear end showcased taillights resembling those found on Lexus models but without the vertical element. Overall, the 2021 Highlander presented itself as longer and lower than its previous iteration while maintaining its substantial size.

The introduction of the XSE trim level added a layer of sportiness to the Highlander lineup. This variant featured a more aggressive front end, retuned suspension, and an appearance package. The 20-inch wheels with black accents, unique front fascia, lower spoiler, and enlarged lower air intake contributed to a sporty demeanor, although it didn't quite compete with sportier SUVs like the Ford Explorer ST.

The Highlander Limited trim exhibited an upscale appeal with chrome roof rails and accents. Inside, the fit and finish were near flawless, with a steering wheel that was comfortable to hold, and leather seats in tan with dark brown trim. The wood details, albeit not real, looked fabulous. While Toyota aimed to straddle the line between practical and sporty with the Highlander XSE, it truly shone in its luxury-oriented Limited trim.

Minivans resided in a peculiar niche yet remained a logical choice for growing families despite the SUV boom. The 2022 Toyota Sienna, in particular, continued the legacy of Toyota’s unwavering dedication to the minivan segment. The Sienna debuted its fourth generation in the 2021 model year.

The 2022 Sienna endeavored to present itself with SUV-like style, though its minivan identity was unmistakable due to sliding side doors. The front end sported a macho appearance, and the door hinges and slides were cleverly concealed. This attention to detail extended to the rear fender well, resulting in an assertive overall profile. Depending on the trim, the Sienna offered 17-inch wheels as standard, with options for 18-inch and even 20-inch wheels.

Inside, the design aimed to distance itself from the typical minivan aesthetic, particularly in the front cabin. Clever storage solutions populated every row, from extensive under-console areas to large door pockets and sufficient cup holders. The second and third-row passengers enjoyed roomy, comfortable seating with an option for second-row captain’s chairs with ottomans. A standard 60/40-split third-row bench folded seamlessly into the floor, enhancing cargo flexibility.

The 2021 Highlander was not designed for adrenaline-pumping performance but instead focused on delivering smooth, reliable operation. It housed a 3.5-liter V6 engine capable of generating 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it offered options for front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD).

Although it couldn’t outperform in drag races, the Highlander provided enough power for comfortable highway merges. Its competitive horsepower and torque figures aligned well with similar models like the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride. While vehicles like the Honda Pilot and Ford Explorer ST outperformed it in horsepower and torque, the Highlander held its ground in practical performance. The Highlander's soft suspension led to a slightly lumbering experience through corners, enhancing comfort rather than sporty maneuvering.

The XSE trim brought some excitement with enhancements like higher-rated springs, retuned shock absorbers, a rear stabilizer bar, and power steering adjustments, though it fell short of transforming the Highlander into a true performance vehicle.

Continuing from its 2021 innovations, the 2022 Sienna exclusively featured a hybrid powertrain. Utilizing Toyota’s expertise in hybrid technology, it combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, producing a total of 243 horsepower. Standard with FWD, AWD was also available across trims, adding a separate electric motor for the rear wheels. This AWD system eliminated mechanical complexities, relying on a 54 hp rear motor with 89 pound-feet of torque.

The Sienna adopted an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), ensuring smooth and efficient power delivery. Drivers had access to four drive modes (Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport), enhancing versatility.

Handling on the Sienna exceeded minivan expectations, courtesy of Toyota Next Generation Architecture (TNGA) platform’s advanced suspension systems. Body roll was minimized, and highway cruising was comfortable and efficient. The standout feature was its impressive fuel economy. EPA ratings projected FWD Sienna models at 36 mpg across city, highway, and combined driving, with AWD models achieving slightly lower figures.

Toyota positioned the 288-volt nickel-metal-hydride battery pack under the front seats, freeing up space while providing a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty for added peace of mind.

Three-row crossovers like the 2021 Highlander excelled in balancing comfort, cargo space, and practical features. Notably, a set of shelves ahead of the front seats offered ample storage for large cell phones, including a pass-through for charging cords leading to USB ports. Higher trims included a wireless charging pad in the center console.

Second-row passengers enjoyed notable legroom, with adjustable seats contributing to flexible space distribution. However, rear-seat air vents positioned on the ceiling tended to blow directly onto middle-row passengers' heads, which was a minor inconvenience.

Cargo-wise, the Highlander provided 16 cubic feet of space behind the third row, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a commendable 84.3 cubic feet with both the second and third rows down.

The Sienna adapted itself perfectly as a family workhorse. Its capacity to house a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed showcased its impressive space utilization. Cargo measures were 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and a substantial 101 cubic feet with the first row.

The standard 60/40-split third row easily stowed into the floor, and innovative storage cubbies and cupholders featured prominently throughout. Both side sliding doors and the rear tailgate were power-operated with foot-motion triggers, significantly enhancing convenience.

In towing capacity, the Sienna could pull up to 3,500 pounds, adding to its versatility as a family vehicle.

Highlander’s trim-specific technology package included an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and an optional 12.3-inch touchscreen on the Limited trim, standard on the top-tier Platinum. This system was user-friendly but faced challenges with navigation accuracy. Fortunately, standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration addressed most connectivity needs.

The 12.3-inch touch unit impressed with its brightness, clarity, and speed, although not all functions capitalized on its full width. The JBL audio system provided decent sound quality but lacked standout features. The inclusion of physical knobs for volume and tuning was a practical touch.

The Sienna came packed with a wealth of standard technology, starting with a 9-inch touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. Additional features included SiriusXM, multiple USB ports, and Bluetooth audio streaming.

Telematics services were extensive, offering trials of Safety Connect, Remote Connect, and Service Connect, alongside AT&T WiFi Connect. Qi wireless charging was widely available, and upper trims like Limited and Platinum boasted a 1500-watt inverter with a 120-volt AC outlet.

Audio systems ranged from a six-speaker setup to a 12-speaker JBL system, with an optional rear-seat entertainment system on higher trims. A sophisticated instrument panel display, head-up display on Platinum trims, and an optional digital rearview mirror further elevated the technological experience.

The 2021 Highlander upgraded its safety suite to Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, featuring automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection support. Other ADAS included road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams.

Safety ratings were positive, with a five-star rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from IIHS.

The 2022 Sienna mirrored the 2021 model's safety accolades, including a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS and a five-star rating from NHTSA. Its Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite offered adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, and more. The Star Safety System included stability and traction control, anti-lock brakes, and electronic brake-force distribution.

Additional features comprised 10 airbags, numerous LATCH connectors, a rear-seat reminder system, and standard tire-pressure monitoring with an optional spare tire.