2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Chevrolet Suburban

Drivers and passengers alike had to reimagine their idea of a minivan when the 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid strutted onto the scene. Unlike the traditional boxy minivan designs of yesteryear, the Sienna sported an SUV-like appearance with its wide grille and sleek, horizontally arranged LED headlamps. The meticulously sculpted sliding side doors, swooping body lines, and available alloy wheel sizes ranging from 17-inch to 20-inch further added to its assertive stance. From the rear, despite a large window, it managed to look broad and low, embodying Toyota's renowned fit and finish. Inside, the Sienna's design continued with an emphasis on spaciousness and comfort. Horizontal lines created an illusion of width, while a higher, sedan-beating seating position ensured a comfortable ride. The dashboard remained simplistic, with cluster controls for easy access. The center console, housing the gear selector and various other controls, cleverly bridged the dash and a storage compartment, leaving room for a convenient tray below. High-quality materials, a beefy leather-wrapped steering wheel, and ample cup holders in all rows ensured a blend of style and function. In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Suburban carried forward Chevrolet's full-size truck design language, sharing its tall hood, long proportions, and large wheels with the Tahoe SUV and Silverado 1500 pickup. With its tall hood and large wheels, the Suburban boasted a supersized appearance. Each of its six trims offered distinctive grille, fascia, and wheel designs. Our test vehicle, an RST trim, came in a striking Cherry Red Tintcoat, featuring 22-inch bright-machined black-painted wheels and sporty monochromatic black grille accents, redefining expectations for full-size SUVs. Inside, the Suburban did not disappoint with its luxurious and spacious cabin across various trims. From economically comfortable to downright plush, the Suburban's interior scaled with the choice of trim, with leather seats standard from the LT trim upwards. Our RST tester featured 10-way power seats, stylish Jet Black perforated leather seats with Victory Red stitching, and an opulent optional Luxury package. However, the dark leather and predominantly black dashboard left the cabin feeling a tad too dark, despite the premium touches.

Toyota had long reigned supreme in the hybrid market, yet it wasn't until 2021 that they introduced their first hybrid minivan, the Sienna Hybrid. Boasting a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, the powerhouse generated 243 horsepower. It offered front-wheel drive as standard, with an all-wheel drive option available on all trims, thanks to an additional electric motor for the rear wheels dishing out 54 hp and 89 lb-ft of torque. Unfortunately, the electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) dulled the throttle response, making the driving experience less invigorating. Still, improved handling through a TNGA front suspension and independent rear trailing arm suspension ensured a smooth and comfortable ride. Fuel economy was outstanding, with FWD models achieving an estimated 36 mpg across the board and AWD models close behind. Chevrolet, meanwhile, provided a trio of engine options for the 2022 Suburban: a base 5.3-liter V8, a brawny 6.2-liter V8, and a novel 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-six. All engines paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission featuring electronic shift control. The 5.3-liter V8 produced 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, while the muscular 6.2-liter V8 churned out 420 hp and 460 lb-ft, enhancing acceleration and performance. The 3.0-liter turbodiesel, though petite, offered a robust 460 lb-ft of torque and 277 hp, plus excellent fuel efficiency and a long powertrain warranty. The switch to an independent rear suspension in 2021 improved ride quality and handling, though our RST test vehicle stood out with its 6.2-liter V8 part of the Sport Performance package, delivering a palpable power boost and enhanced towing capability. The Suburban’s maximum towing capacity reached 8,300 pounds.

Minivans were often celebrated for their utility, and the 2021 Toyota Sienna was no exception. It featured a versatile three-row arrangement with the third row a standard 60/40-split bench that stowed away effortlessly. The sliding second row allowed for up to 25 inches of forward or backward movement, simplifying access to the third row. The Sienna provided ample storage with 16 cup holders and numerous cubbies, while accommodating large items like a four-by-eight sheet of plywood. Cargo capacity was impressive, with 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second, and 101 cubic feet with only the first row up. Despite housing a big battery, it cleverly stowed it under the front seats, affecting none of the interior space. The Sienna could also tow up to 3,500 pounds and featured power-operated side doors and tailgate, activated by a kick motion. The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban delivered an ocean of space, seating up to nine occupants with the optional front-row bench seat, though most configurations settled for seven or eight passengers. The third row was now truly adult-friendly, with ample head, knee, and legroom, facilitated by easy access. Cargo capacity was class-leading, with 41.5 cubic feet of space behind the third row, and an expansive 144.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded flat. The second-row seats slid 5.5 inches and flattened effortlessly. Notable features included a power-sliding center console that unveiled more storage space, a hidden storage drawer, and various cubbies throughout. However, its massive size could pose challenges in tight urban settings or standard garages.

Toyota packed the 2021 Sienna with an abundance of technology. All trims featured a nine-inch touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, alongside satellite radio access. The vehicle came with various standard connectivity trials, including a year of Safety Connect and Remote Connect, a ten-year Service Connect trial, and three months of AT&T WiFi. The audio system could range from a basic six-speaker setup to a 12-speaker JBL system with advanced navigation in the higher trims. Additional tech included a rear-seat entertainment system and a myriad of driver-focused features like multi-information displays and a class-first 10-inch color Head-Up Display in the Platinum trim. Chevrolet didn’t hold back either, enhancing the 2022 Suburban with its Infotainment 3 System, which expanded from an 8-inch touchscreen on the LS to a 10.2-inch premium system on the LT and above. The updated tech suite included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Google built-in starting from the LT, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. A plethora of camera views, including a transparent trailer view, elevated the Suburban's practicality. Wireless device charging came standard from the LT trim onwards, complemented by a WiFi hotspot across all models. Audio systems varied from six speakers in the LS to a sublime 10-speaker Bose system in the higher trims.

Incorporating Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, the 2021 Sienna Hybrid offered a robust suite of driver assistance features, including dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, pre-collision system, and more. Enhanced by the Star Safety System, ten airbags, LATCH connectors, and a rear-seat reminder system, the Sienna prioritized safety. A notable change was the more conveniently placed spare tire, improving roadside emergencies. While specific crash-test ratings were unavailable, the 2020 model received commendable scores from IIHS and NHTSA. The 2022 Suburban embraced a comprehensive safety overhaul with the Chevy Safety Assist suite featuring automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and pedestrian braking. Additional standard features included rear and front park assist, lane-keeping assistance, and more. Optional safety tools ranged from adaptive cruise control to HD surround vision. Special features like the Safety Alert Seat added value to the Suburban's safety profile. Receiving an overall rating of four out of five stars from NHTSA, the Suburban demonstrated solid safety credentials.