2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

The 2021 Toyota Sienna significantly shifted its design ethos compared to previous minivan models. Toyota's designers aimed to give the minivan a more SUV-like appearance, starting with a wide grille and horizontally arranged LED headlamp arrays that provided a sleek look. The Sienna's body line, swooping up from the rocker panels to bulge over the rear wheels, required re-thinking the hinges and slides to tuck the door in neatly and achieved an assertive stance. Alloy wheels varied from 17-inch to 20-inch, depending on the grade, giving it a robust presence. From the rear, the Sienna appeared wide and low, making it stand out among minivans. The fit and finish on the exterior adhered to Toyota's standards, ensuring a premium feel.

Inside, the Sienna focused on creating an impression of width with horizontal lines on the dashboard. While not quite reaching an SUV feel, it avoided the typical minivan "school bus" vibe. The seating position was higher than a sedan's, offering a pleasant ride. The dashboard was uncluttered, with controls clustered on the upper part of the center stack. The center console provided a range of features, including open and covered cup holders, a storage compartment, and a tray beneath the dash. The leather-wrapped steering wheel and generally high-quality materials ensured a comfortable experience. The second and third rows accommodated adults comfortably, with the second row offering the flexibility of sliding fore and aft for better space utilization.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4, meanwhile, took a different approach, presenting itself with a rugged-looking exterior that mirrored traditional SUVs. The boxy fender flares, chiseled taillights, and a scowling front end gave it an aggressive stance that sharply contrasted the approachable look of previous generations. Toyota provided additional styling options, such as the RAV4 Adventure's retro look with an Ice Edge roof and the TRD Off-Road's matte black wheels and dark gray exterior trim.

The RAV4's interior also embraced a rugged theme with large rubberized knobs and door handles. However, the material quality on lower trims wasn't as impressive as one might expect. The TRD Off-Road variant featured SofTex upholstery, which Toyota marketed as lighter and fairly durable, although real leather wasn't available even on high-end trims. The overall interior experience of the RAV4 was functional, with clear and easy-to-use controls, but it lacked the refinement and luxury feel of higher-end interiors.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna made a revolutionary leap by introducing its first hybrid minivan. Leveraging Toyota's expertise, the Sienna utilized a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, delivering a combined 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available across all trims. This hybrid configuration employed an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), recognized for its smooth and efficient power delivery. However, the CVT's throttle response was somewhat muted, causing the vehicle to drone rather than surge. Despite this, the Sienna's four selectable drive modes (Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport) offered some flexibility in driving dynamics. The improved TNGA suspension and steering minimalized body roll and increased riding comfort. The standout aspect was its fuel efficiency, with FWD models achieving 36 mpg city, highway, and combined, while AWD models offered 35/36/35 mpg combined.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4, powered by the Dynamic Force 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, produced 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, came standard with FWD and offered AWD as an option. The RAV4's engine boasted 40% thermal efficiency, a feat typically seen in racing engines. Despite its performance on specs, the engine's rev-happy nature didn't translate seamlessly to an engaging drive. The transmission hesitated and lacked responsiveness, while the steering, although quick, lacked feel, resulting in a videogame-like experience. While the RAV4 performed admirably on highways with low cabin noise and comfortable suspension, its on-road dynamics didn't match up to the energetic engine. The AWD Adventure and TRD Off-Road variants came equipped with a torque-vectoring rear axle, 8.6 inches of ground clearance, and a 3,500-pound towing capacity, enhancing its off-road capability.

Minivans like the 2021 Toyota Sienna excelled in convenience functions. It accommodated eight passengers with its standard third-row 60/40 split bench and offered 25 inches of second-row slide for easy third-row access. The cabin featured ample storage with 16 cupholders (15 with the spare tire option), bottle holders in all four side doors, and multiple storage cubbies. The Sienna also excelled in cargo handling, capable of fitting a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. It presented a nominal cargo space of 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101 cubic feet behind the first row, with customizable configurations thanks to the sliding second row. The inclusion of a cleverly placed 288-volt Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery pack minimized its impact on cargo space, and the hybrid battery came with a significant warranty.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 offered competitive headroom and good outward visibility due to its tall, upright roof. Although front seats offered comfort, the rear seats were criticized for hard and flat bottom cushions, making long trips less appealing. The rear 60/40 split-folding bench didn't slide fore and aft, limiting flexibility compared to competitors. The RAV4 boasted 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place, slightly behind the Honda CR-V. Although loading cargo was facilitated by a wide aperture, the cargo area's higher lip made this more challenging than in some rival vehicles. Storage throughout the cabin was practical but limited in terms of options compared to more traditional SUVs.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna featured a robust suite of standard and available technology. All grades came with a nine-inch touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, one USB media port, and six USB charging ports. Connectivity was bolstered with trials for Safety Connect, Remote Connect, and Service Connect. Higher trim levels enhanced the audio experience with a Premium Audio + JBL package offering 12 speakers, Dynamic Navigation, and surround sound. For rear passengers, an optional rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch 1080p display was available. Other tech perks included a 1500-watt inverter, 120-volt AC outlet, and a color multi-information display ranging from 4.2 to 7 inches based on the trim. The driver benefited from a Head-Up Display (HUD) and a digital rearview mirror on select trims, enhancing visibility and convenience.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 also offered a decent array of technology features. Standard connectivity included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM. Most trims came with a 7-inch touchscreen, while higher trims featured larger displays. Five USB ports catered to tech-savvy passengers. The available JBL premium audio system provided an enhanced listening experience. While the infotainment system was user-friendly, it lacked the flair and advanced features found in higher-end models. Unlike the Sienna, the RAV4 didn't offer a HUD in its gasoline models, although it did provide a straightforward interface that ensured in-car tech remained user-friendly.

Safety was a paramount focus for the 2021 Toyota Sienna, equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 across all trims. This suite included dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, and road sign assist. Additional safety features comprised the Star Safety System, 10 airbags, five LATCH locations, a rear-seat reminder system, and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). The Sienna's spare tire location was revised for better safety and convenience. Although 2021 crash-test ratings weren't available at the time, the 2020 model performed commendably in IIHS and NHTSA assessments.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 received high safety ratings, earning a “Top Safety Pick” from IIHS with “Good” scores in all crash tests and a “Superior” rating for front-crash prevention. NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall rating, with slightly lower scores in frontal and rollover crash tests. The standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite featured essential aids like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning with steering assist, and more. Higher trims included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic emergency braking, park assist, and an available 360-degree camera system, ensuring comprehensive safety across the range.