2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Honda HR-V

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid aimed to redefine the minivan aesthetic, presenting a more SUV-like appearance. Its wide grille and horizontally arranged LED headlamp arrays gave it a sleek look, while the sculpted sliding side doors and various alloy wheel sizes added to its assertive stance. The rear of the Sienna managed to look wide and low, maintaining Toyota's high standards of fit and finish. Inside, the Sienna emphasized width with horizontal lines, offering a comfortable seating position and a simple, uncluttered dashboard. The center console was smartly designed with ample storage, and the second and third rows provided comfort and flexibility for passengers.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda HR-V had a softer, friendlier appearance compared to Honda's larger SUVs. Its distinctive styling included upper and lower window lines converging near the taillights, housing the rear door handles. Most trim levels featured 17-inch alloy wheels, with the Sport model boasting matte-black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out trim. The interior was plain but functional, with good material quality and fit and finish. Higher trims offered push-button start, automatic climate control, a moonroof, and heated front seats, with leather upholstery on the EX-L model.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid was Toyota's first hybrid minivan, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, producing a combined 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on all trim levels. The Sienna used an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which, while maximizing fuel efficiency, tended to blunt throttle response. The Sienna offered four selectable drive modes and improved handling with new front suspension and independent rear trailing arm suspension. Its EPA fuel economy ratings were impressive, with FWD models achieving 36 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 36 mpg combined, while AWD models were rated at 35/36/35 mpg combined.

The 2021 Honda HR-V was powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 141 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. While AWD was available on all trim levels, the HR-V's powertrain was underpowered for highway driving, and the CVT was ineffective. However, the HR-V's chassis made up for its engine, offering a rewarding driving experience on twisty roads and decent ride quality. Its AWD system was suitable for slippery roads but not for rougher terrain, and it lacked towing capability.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna excelled in convenience functions, with a standard third-row 60/40-split bench that stored away easily and a second row that slid up to 25 inches. The cabin featured 16 cupholders and ample storage cubby space. The Sienna could carry a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood inside, with cargo measurements of 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101.0 cubic feet behind the first row. Its 288-volt Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery pack was cleverly tucked under the front seats, not impacting cargo space. Power-operated sliding doors and tailgate responded to kick motions, adding to its family-friendly features.

The 2021 Honda HR-V offered impressive cargo space for its size, with the "Magic Seat" 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat providing 58.8 cubic feet of cargo space (57.6 for AWD models) when folded down. With the seat up, it retained 24.3 cubic feet (23.2 cubic feet with AWD). The HR-V led the segment in rear-seat legroom, though front-seat legroom and headroom were average. The interior featured sensibly-designed controls, including large knobs for climate control and an audio volume knob. The narrow center console was dominated by a large shift lever, making it simple and easy to use.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna was packed with technology features, including a standard nine-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. It offered various connectivity options, including Safety Connect, Remote Connect, Service Connect, and AT&T WiFi Connect. Higher trims featured a Premium Audio + JBL package with 12 speakers, Dynamic Navigation, and surround sound. A rear-seat entertainment system was available, and the driver benefited from a color multi-information display and a 10-inch color Head-Up Display on Platinum models. Remote keyless entry and push-button start were standard, with the Smart Key System on higher trims.

The 2021 Honda HR-V's base LX trim came with Bluetooth, a 5-inch display screen, and a four-speaker audio system. The Sport trim and higher offered a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while EX and EX-L models added SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system was plain but functional, with two USB ports located conveniently ahead of the shifter. However, the 7-inch touchscreen was small compared to competitors, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not standard across all trims.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, and road sign assist. It also featured the Star Safety System, 10 airbags, LATCH connectors, a rear-seat reminder system, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The 2020 Sienna received high safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA, though 2021 ratings were not yet available.

The 2021 Honda HR-V received top scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. However, it got lower ratings for headlights and LATCH ease of use. Honda Sensing safety features were only available on EX and EX-L trims, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The rearview camera was upgraded with dynamic gridlines on higher trims.