2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Lexus GX

In the past, the Toyota Sienna was a minivan that didn't stand out in terms of style. However, the 2021 Sienna Hybrid aimed to break that mold within the minivan category. At first glance, the Sienna Hybrid appeared more like an SUV, thanks to a wide grille that emphasized its width and LED headlamp arrays, which contributed to a sleek look. From the side, it had an assertive stance, enhanced by sculpted sliding side doors with a body line that swooped up from the rocker panels to bulge over the rear wheels. This design change was achieved by rethinking the hinges and slides, leading to a well-executed appearance. Alloy wheels ranging from 17-inch to 20-inch, varied by trim level, filled the arches with great color finishes. The rear had a big window, looking wide and low for a minivan. Toyota's quality exterior fit and finish was evident.

Inside, the Sienna emphasized width with horizontal lines, avoiding a 'school bus' feel. The seating position was higher than a sedan's but not quite like a full-size SUV, contributing to a comfortable ride. The dashboard was simple and uncluttered, with controls mainly on the upper part of the center stack. The center console housed the gear selector, cup holders, and storage compartment. The leather-wrapped steering wheel had a premium feel, and materials throughout felt high-quality. The second and third rows were comfortable for adults, with flexible seating arrangements due to the sliding second row.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460, reflecting its long existence on the market, boasted a basic body shell from a decade ago with accumulated updates, including the spindle grille added in 2014 and updated in 2020 with a textured insert. The 2020 update also brought new triple-beam LED headlights. The 2021 model retained these changes and added standard silver 18-inch wheels on the Premium trim, with 19-inch wheels as an option. Its styling, though initially not designed for the spindle grille, seemed coherent and distinctive, appealing to those looking for a tough, aggressive SUV look. Nonetheless, the interior felt outdated for a modern luxury SUV. The wood trim in the Premium test car resembled molded plastic, and there was ample actual plastic. However, standard leather upholstery provided some level of luxury, with semi-aniline leather on the top-tier trim.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid represented Toyota’s first hybrid minivan. It featured a proven powertrain, similar to the Highlander Hybrid, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. Standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD) were available. AWD utilized a separate electric motor for the rear wheels, contributing 54 hp and 89 lb-ft of torque, simplifying the mechanical design. The Sienna employed an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), offering smooth power delivery but sometimes detracting from throttle responsiveness. Four selectable drive modes—Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport—were available for different driving experiences. Improved handling came from new suspension and steering setups. Importantly, fuel economy was notable: FWD models achieved 36 mpg in city, highway, and combined driving, while AWD models were rated at 35/36/35 mpg combined.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 kept it straightforward with its powertrain, featuring a single 4.6-liter V8 engine generating 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX 460’s 5,130-pound weight impacted its higher-speed performance, requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking. It took 7.8 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph. Stopping also needed foresight due to longer braking distances, and handling exhibited significant body roll and low grip, typical of body-on-frame vehicles. The GX excelled in off-road capability, featuring a Torsen center differential, low-range 4WD system, hill-descent control, and hill-start assist. An Off-Road Package added features like a transmission cooler, fuel-tank protector, multi-view camera system, Crawl Control, and Multi-Terrain Select. The GX had 8.1 inches of ground clearance and 21-degree angles for approach, departure, and break-over. It could tow up to 6,500 pounds and had a trailer-sway control function.

As with minivans, the 2021 Toyota Sienna was judged on its convenience and functionality. It featured a standard third-row bench that could fold into the floor easily. The second row slid up to 25 inches, facilitating access to the third row. The cabin was equipped with storage cubbies, cupholders, and bottle holders across all rows, totaling 16 cupholders. Cargo handling was a strength, with the ability to carry a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood inside. Cargo space measured 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, with flexibility due to the sliding second row. The Sienna could tow up to 3,500 pounds. Notably, the hybrid battery’s placement under the front seats didn’t impact cargo space.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior felt dated with its upright dashboard and high center console, providing limited legroom and a bus-like driving position. A wood-trimmed heating steering wheel, new in 2021 for Premium models, had heating elements that didn’t fully encircle the wheel. The boxy profile afforded good outward visibility, although forward visibility was hindered by the tall hood. Storage bins in the center console were small, and cupholders were limited in size across all rows. Second-row occupants had climate controls but accessing the third row was cumbersome. The third row was best for children and wasn’t easy to access. Cargo space with the third and second rows folded was 64.7 cubic feet, less than the Land Rover Discovery’s 73.0 cubic feet. With the third row up, the cargo area was quite narrow, making the GX more suitable as a two-row SUV with occasional third-row use.

In the 2021 Toyota Sienna, technology was abundant. A nine-inch touchscreen came standard, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM (with a three-month trial), one USB media port, and six USB charging ports. Various connectivity trials were included, such as Safety Connect and Remote Connect for a year, Service Connect for ten years, and AT&T WiFi Connect for three months. Bluetooth hands-free and audio streaming were standard, with Qi-compatible charging available on higher trims. An optional 1500-watt inverter with a 120-volt AC outlet powered various devices. Audio systems ranged from a six-speaker stereo to a 12-speaker JBL system with Dynamic Navigation on higher trims. A rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display was available. Drivers benefited from multi-information displays, a Head-Up Display (HUD) in Platinum trims, and an optional digital rearview mirror, enhancing rear visibility in fully loaded conditions. Remote keyless entry was standard, with upgrades to Smart Key System on higher trims.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus GX lacked modern tech features. While it had Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, it didn’t support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Two USB ports were available in the first two rows, but none for the third row. Available was a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. The standard touchscreen appeared outdated with graphics reminiscent of the 1990s and few functions. Below it was a digital clock-style display for time and temperature. The interface relied on analog controls for most functions, which, while primitive, was a straightforward alternative to touchscreen-centric controls in other new luxury SUVs.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 as standard, featuring dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, a pre-collision system with pedestrian and bicyclist detection, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, and road sign assist. The Star Safety System included enhanced stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology. It had ten airbags and multiple LATCH locations for child seats. A rear-seat reminder system was standard, which was beneficial for large families. A tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) was standard, and a spare tire was available. While 2021 crash-test ratings were pending, the 2020 model had good ratings from the IIHS and a Five-Star Overall Rating from NHTSA.

For the 2021 Lexus GX 460, specific crash-test ratings were unavailable. Lexus Safety System+ was standard, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control, along with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. However, it lacked advanced safety features like traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist, which were available in many other Lexus and Toyota models.