2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Toyota Venza

The 2021 Toyota Sienna 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 cup holders and a large storage compartment. The second and third rows were comfortable for adults, with the second row sliding to configure space for maximum utility.

The 2021 Toyota Venza, shorter and closer to the ground than the RAV4, was often compared to a Lexus in terms of design. Its elongated profile and grille blurred the line between the brands, resembling the Lexus LF-1 Limitless concept. Available in three trim levels—LE, XLE, and Limited—the Venza offered a range of standard equipment, including LED headlights, dual chrome-tipped exhaust, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The interior featured premium appointments, with a deep center console housing various controls and a padded upholstery that felt luxurious in the top-tier trim. The Venza provided ample space for both front and rear passengers, though its cargo space was less than some competitors.

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. 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 thanks to new front and rear suspension systems. Its EPA fuel economy ratings were impressive, with FWD models achieving 36 mpg in all categories and AWD models slightly lower.

The 2021 Toyota Venza came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with a lithium-ion battery pack and electric motors, producing a combined 219 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque. The Venza's acceleration was smooth but not rapid, and the engine noise was noticeable during acceleration. However, once up to speed, the noise levels were more tolerable. The Venza's handling was confident, and it excelled in fuel economy, achieving an EPA-estimated 40 mpg on the highway, 37 mpg in the city, and 39 mpg combined. Toyota backed its hybrid powertrain with extensive warranties, adding to its appeal.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna excelled in convenience functions, with a standard third-row 60/40-split bench that stored easily into the floor. The second row slid up to 25 inches, facilitating access to the third row. The cabin featured 16 cupholders and ample storage space. 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. The hybrid battery was cleverly tucked under the front seats, not impacting cargo space. Power-operated sliding doors and tailgate responded to kick motions, enhancing family-friendly convenience.

The 2021 Toyota Venza offered practicality with a unique cabin design. The center stack featured premium appointments, including piano black capacitive buttons for climate and infotainment controls. The deep center console housed various controls and a wireless charging pad. The Venza provided comfortable seating for both front and rear passengers, with more headroom than the RAV4. However, its cargo space was less than some competitors, with a maximum of 55.1 cubic feet. Despite this, the Venza's cargo space was sufficient for daily driving needs, and the quick-flip releases on the rear seatbacks made arranging the space easy.

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 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 trim levels featured 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 trim, a 10-inch color Head-Up Display. Remote keyless entry and push-button start were standard, with upgrades available on higher trims.

The 2021 Toyota Venza featured an 8-inch infotainment system on the LE and XLE trims, while the Limited trim had a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa as standard. The Venza also offered a Wi-Fi hot spot, a nine-speaker JBL premium audio system, and various Toyota connected services, including Safety Connect, Remote Connect, and Service Connect. Dynamic navigation was available on models with the larger screen, providing route guidance based on changing conditions.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, pre-collision system with pedestrian and bicyclist detection, 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, but the 2021 model's ratings were not yet available.

The 2021 Toyota Venza also came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering similar features, including a pre-collision warning system, lane-departure alert, lane-tracing assist, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and road sign assist. It had eight airbags, a rearview camera, hill start assist, parking distance sensors, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard, with upgrades available. The Venza's safety features were effective and not intrusive, though the lane-keeping assist tended to keep the SUV further to the right within the lane.