2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Subaru Ascent

The 2021 Toyota Sienna aimed to elevate the minivan's aesthetics. While it couldn't completely escape its minivan roots, it did strive towards an SUV-like appearance. Its wide grille emphasized its width, and the horizontal LED headlamps added a sleek, modern touch. A reworked bodyline on the sliding doors made them look assertive and sporty, while differently sized alloy wheels (ranging from 17 inches on the LE and XLE trims to 20 inches on the XSE FWD and Platinum FWD trims) added to its appeal. Despite being a minivan, the Toyota Sienna managed to present a polished finish, with high-quality materials and expert craftsmanship on the exterior.

Inside, Toyota focused on creating a spacious and inviting cabin. Horizontal lines across the dashboard enhanced the sense of width. The seating position was elevated, providing a comfortable ride without quite reaching the command-like seating of a full-sized SUV. The center console housed multiple controls and practical features such as numerous cup holders and storage compartments. The second and third rows were comfortable for adults, providing versatility between captain’s chairs or bench seating, catering to both seven and eight-passenger models. The overall interior felt rich and well-thought-out, reflecting Toyota’s attention to detail and quality.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Ascent bore the unmistakable marks of its Subaru lineage. It looked like a larger version of the Forester or the Outback, ensuring brand familiarity. The cabin design also mirrored that of other Subaru models, reinforcing the continuity and comfort Subaru drivers expect. The exterior design was substantial, with the Ascent's size conveying a sense of robustness, suitable for a three-row SUV.

The Ascent was available in Standard, Premium, Limited, and Touring trims. Each offered a solid range of features, starting with the basic Standard trim equipped with driver assistance features, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, tri-zone climate control, and USB ports. The higher trims progressively added more comfort and convenience features, from stain-resistant upholstery and power-adjustable seats in the Premium trim to the luxurious touches like ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon stereo system in the Touring trim.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna marked Toyota’s entry into the hybrid minivan market. Powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, it generated a combined 243 horsepower. The choice of front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard while all-wheel drive (AWD) was available across all trims. This AWD system used a separate 54 hp electric motor for the rear wheels, simplifying the engineering. The Sienna used a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which, while efficient, lacked the fun factor due to its droning nature. Nevertheless, it offered four drive modes to suit different driving preferences.

The Sienna excelled in fuel efficiency, with impressive EPA ratings of 36 mpg for city, highway, and combined driving for FWD models, and slightly lower figures for AWD models. It was designed to offer a comfortable and smooth ride, with improved handling and minimal body roll.

On the other hand, the 2021 Subaru Ascent came with a single engine choice: a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder engine delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This power was managed through a CVT and Subaru’s renowned Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. The Ascent catered well to both urban driving and highway travel, showing more prowess in town settings but getting up to highway speeds without much struggle.

Primarily focused on comfort, the Ascent exhibited responsive cornering and a soft ride quality, ideal for rough road conditions and light off-roading adventures. It featured 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making it suitable for inclement weather and rugged paths. The Ascent also offered a noteworthy towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, equipped with Trailer Stability Assist to ensure a safe drive under load.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna was meticulously designed to cater to family needs. With standard third-row seating, it could easily accommodate large families and offered plenty of cargo and passenger flexibility. The third row was a 60/40-split bench that folded flat into the floor effortlessly. The second-row seats slid up to 25 inches, making accessibility to the third row fairly easy.

Storage solutions in the Sienna were abundant, with 16 cupholders distributed throughout the cabin and various storage cubbies and bottle holders in all four side doors. Cargo capacity was versatile, with 33.5 cubic feet available behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and up to 101.0 cubic feet when the first row was utilized for storage. It could even fit a full sheet of plywood, thanks to the clever use of space. The 288-volt Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery pack, required for the hybrid system, was ingeniously placed under the front seats to avoid infringing on cargo space. Additionally, the Sienna could tow up to 3,500 pounds, accommodating family getaways with trailers or small boats.

The Subaru Ascent offered practical cargo solutions too, but slightly less capacity compared to the Sienna. With 17.8 cubic feet of space behind the third row, the Ascent expanded to 47.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 86.5 cubic feet with all rear seats down. Although generous for the midsize SUV segment, some competitors, like the Volkswagen Atlas and Chevrolet Traverse, offered more cargo room.

The Ascent featured a power liftgate standard but lacked the hands-free feature, which some might miss. It accommodated up to eight passengers with its base configuration, while opting for second-row captain’s chairs reduced seating to seven. Despite this, both the first two rows were spacious and comfortable, while the third row was more suited for children or shorter adults. Among its unique conveniences were 19 cupholders and plenty of trays and compartments distributed throughout the cabin, ensuring it stayed family-friendly and practical.

For 2021, the Toyota Sienna did not skimp on technological advancements. A standard nine-inch touchscreen across all trims offered connectivity through Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The Sienna also included SiriusXM, USB charging ports, and Bluetooth streaming, among other features. Higher trims enhanced the experience with upgrades like Qi-compatible wireless charging and a Premium Audio + JBL package.

The Sienna’s infotainment options were robust, with a six-speaker stereo for the base LE trim, upgrading to a 12-speaker system with surround sound for higher trims. Additionally, a rear-seat entertainment system was available for select trims, featuring an 11.6-inch fold-down screen, HDMI inputs, and wireless headphones, making long journeys more pleasant for backseat passengers.

Subaru’s StarLink infotainment system in the 2021 Ascent also prioritized user-friendliness with logical menu layouts and large icons. It came with either a 6.5-inch or an 8-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim. Standard tech features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and multiple USB ports. Higher trims could add features like a WiFi hotspot and a premium 14-speaker Harman Kardon stereo system.

While both vehicles offered comprehensive tech packages, the Sienna’s larger standard touchscreen and additional entertainment options might edge it out for families looking to keep everyone entertained on long trips.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna came loaded with innovative safety features under the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 umbrella, including dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. It also had a suite of standard safety systems like vehicle stability control and brake assist.

With 10 airbags and multiple LATCH locations for child seats, the Sienna prioritized safety. It also featured a rear-seat reminder system to prevent leaving children behind. The tire pressure monitoring system, standard across all trims, ensured tire health. While the 2021 crash-test ratings were pending, the previous model had achieved strong scores from both the IIHS and the NHTSA.

Similarly, the 2021 Subaru Ascent earned accolades for safety, securing the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ title. Its extensive EyeSight suite included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning, supplemented by automatic high beams and steerable headlights for enhanced nighttime visibility. Optional safety features expanded its capabilities with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rain-sensing wipers, contributing to a safer driving experience.