2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2021 Toyota Sienna was a significant departure from traditional minivan aesthetics. Toyota's designers aimed to infuse the Sienna Hybrid with a more SUV-like appearance, departing from the utilitarian look of past minivans. The wide grille and horizontally arranged LED headlamps provided a sleek, modern look, while the sculpted sliding side doors with a distinctive body line added an assertive stance. Alloy wheels in various sizes and finishes further enhanced its stylish exterior, and the rear design managed to project a wide and low profile typical of a minivan. Inside, the Sienna emphasized width with horizontal lines, a higher seating position, and a simple but functional dashboard layout. The console’s smart design with open and covered cupholders, a storage compartment, and a handbag tray underlined its practical yet stylish approach.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 stood out with its distinct EV-specific styling, diverging from the traditional gasoline models by embracing a streamlined profile and pushing the wheels to the corners. The EV-specific MEB platform gave it a modern, unique identity. Although the exterior looked more like a hatchback than an SUV, it had smooth lines and a lack of aggressive SUV characteristics. Inside, the ID.4 combined Volkswagen’s minimalism with tech-heavy aesthetics, featuring piano black and matte plastic finishes, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and cloth seats. The cabin’s design aimed for a futuristic feel, although some might have found the overall color scheme and layout reminiscent of older computer hardware.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid marked Toyota’s first foray into hybrid minivans. It employed a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, generating a combined 243 horsepower. The standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD) utilized an electric motor driving the rear wheels, adding 54 hp and 89 lb-ft of torque. The continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) enhanced fuel efficiency but somewhat dampened throttle response. The Sienna Hybrid offered selectable drive modes—Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport—contributing to a more tailored driving experience. Improvements in suspension and steering yielded better handling with minimal body roll. The standout feature was its impressive fuel economy, achieving 36 mpg combined for FWD models and 35 mpg combined for AWD.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 initially offered a single rear-mounted electric motor with 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, powered by an 82-kilowatt-hour battery pack. This setup marked Volkswagen’s return to rear-wheel drive (RWD) in the American market. The later introduction of an AWD model boosted power to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque, providing agile acceleration and responsive handling. Despite its performance improvements, the ID.4 prioritized comfort over sportiness, exhibiting considerable body roll in corners but delivering a smooth ride. Notably, its regenerative braking system did not support one-pedal driving, relying more on friction brakes and coasting efficiency.

Minivans are often judged on their functionality, and the 2021 Toyota Sienna excelled in this regard. The Sienna's third row featured a 60/40-split bench that stowed away easily, while the second row could slide up to 25 inches for flexible access and cargo configurations. The cabin boasted ample storage with cubbies, bottle holders, and up to 16 cupholders. Cargo capacity was versatile, offering 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and up to 101.0 cubic feet behind the first row. The Sienna also cleverly integrated its hybrid battery under the front seats, preserving cargo space, and it could tow up to 3,500 pounds. Power-operated sliding doors and a rear tailgate enhanced convenience for families.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 had a competitively spacious interior for an EV, providing good front and rear headroom. However, legroom was merely average compared to gasoline counterparts like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, which offered more spacious rear seating. The ID.4's cargo capacity offered 30.3 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with the seats folded, surpassing many EV competitors but falling short of traditional gasoline crossovers. Although it lacked a frunk, the ID.4’s interior felt roomy from the driver's seat, and the forward visibility was strong despite the steep windshield. The innovative twist-grip gear selector freed up space on the center console, although narrow storage spaces limited its practicality. Standard heated front seats and steering wheel efficiently managed cabin heat without an internal combustion engine to rely on.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna was loaded with tech features. Its nine-inch touchscreen provided access to Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM. The standard connectivity package included trials of Safety Connect, Remote Connect, Service Connect, and AT&T WiFi, enhancing the vehicle's connectivity. With options for premium audio systems, a rear-seat entertainment package, and advanced driver displays, the Sienna catered to tech-savvy families. The Platinum trim introduced innovative features like a 10-inch Head-Up Display and a digital rearview mirror, elevating the tech experience.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 featured a standard 10-inch touchscreen with optional upgrades to a 12-inch display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, alongside a 5.3-inch digital instrument cluster. While this setup looked modern, the use of haptic touchpads complicated usability, lacking tactile feedback. A natural-language voice-control system provided an alternative to touch controls, though its response time was slower than ideal. The ID.4 introduced ID.Light, a light strip designed to communicate various driver information through color and blinking patterns. Despite some innovative features, the overall control system required a learning curve, and some design choices aimed more at differentiation than practicality.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering a range of advanced driver assistance systems, including dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, pre-collision system, and more. The Star Safety System added further security with enhanced vehicle stability control and traction control. The Sienna included 10 airbags and a rear-seat reminder system, crucial for family safety. Although specific 2021 crash-test ratings were unavailable, the 2020 model had strong ratings from IIHS and a Five-Star Overall Rating from NHTSA.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 earned top marks from safety organizations. IIHS designated it as a Top Safety Pick+, and the NHTSA awarded the RWD version a five-star rating. Essential safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. New features for 2021, such as Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, further enhanced safety. Travel Assist offered smooth lane-centering and adaptive cruise control, performing notably well in the ID.4. Emergency Assist added an extra layer of safety by stopping the vehicle if it detected an incapacitated driver.