2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Nissan Murano

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 design 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 higher seating position than a sedan and a simple, uncluttered dashboard. The center console was practical, featuring multiple cupholders and a large storage compartment. The second and third rows provided ample comfort and flexibility, with the second row sliding fore and aft for maximum utility.

The 2021 Nissan Murano, once a cutting-edge design, had become more mainstream with its L-shaped LED headlights and contoured front end. Its interior was conservative but functional, with controls intuitively placed for ease of use. The Murano's trims ranged from the base S with 18-inch alloy wheels and an 8-inch touchscreen to the top-tier Platinum, which featured a dual-panel panoramic moonroof and premium leather seats. The Murano focused on comfort, making it an ideal vehicle for commutes and road trips.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid was Toyota's first hybrid minivan, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors that produced a combined 243 horsepower. It offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available on all trims. The Sienna used an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which, while efficient, tended to blunt throttle response. The Sienna's handling was significantly improved over previous models, thanks to new front suspension and independent rear trailing arm suspension. Its fuel economy was impressive, with FWD models achieving 36 mpg in all driving conditions and AWD models rated at 35/36/35 mpg combined.

The 2021 Nissan Murano came with a single engine option: a 3.5-liter V6 producing 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a CVT, offering standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. The V6 provided strong low-speed acceleration, though the CVT dulled its power at higher speeds. The Murano excelled in comfort, offering a smooth ride and refined driving characteristics. However, its towing capacity was limited to 1,500 pounds, which was lower than many other midsize SUVs.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna excelled in convenience and functionality, with a standard third-row 60/40-split bench that easily stored away. The second row could slide up to 25 inches, facilitating access to the third row. The cabin featured 16 cupholders and ample storage cubbies. The Sienna could carry a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed, offering 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101.0 cubic feet behind the first row. Its hybrid battery was cleverly tucked under the front seats, preserving cargo space. Both side sliding doors and the rear tailgate were power-operated, responding to kick motions for easy access.

The 2021 Nissan Murano offered up to 67 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 32.1 cubic feet with the seats in use. While other two-row SUVs provided more cargo space, the Murano compensated with ease of use, featuring a center console loaded with trays and cubbies. The Murano's two rows of seating provided ample headroom and legroom, with the second-row seats offering partial reclining functionality. The SL and Platinum trims included a hands-free power liftgate for added convenience.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna was packed with technology, featuring a standard nine-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. It offered various connectivity options, including a year's trial of Safety Connect and Remote Connect, a ten-year trial of Service Connect, and a three-month trial of AT&T WiFi Connect. Higher trims included a Premium Audio + JBL package with 12 speakers and a rear-seat entertainment system. The driver benefited from a color multi-information display and, in Platinum trims, a 10-inch color Head-Up Display. Remote keyless entry and push-button start were standard, with the Smart Key System available on higher trims.

The 2021 Nissan Murano came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with hard buttons and dials for easy navigation. Available tech features included an 11-speaker Bose premium stereo system and navigation.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian and bicyclist detection. It also featured the Star Safety System, 10 airbags, and a rear-seat reminder system. A tire pressure monitoring system and an inflator kit were standard, with an optional spare tire. The 2020 Sienna received high safety ratings, though 2021 ratings were not yet available.

The 2021 Nissan Murano included Nissan Safety Shield 360, featuring reverse automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane departure warning. Additional standard features included forward automatic emergency braking and driver drowsiness monitoring. Optional features included a surround-view parking monitor and adaptive cruise control.