2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Ford Bronco

The 2021 Toyota Sienna attempted to break away from the traditional minivan mold with a design that borrowed elements from SUVs. Its wide grille emphasized the vehicle's width, complemented by sleek LED headlamp arrays horizontally arranged around a prominent Toyota logo. The minivan's side profile showcased an assertive stance, highlighted by meticulously engineered sliding doors that bulged over the rear wheels. These changes required rethinking the hinges and slides, resulting in nicely sculpted doors. Alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 20 inches depending on the trim added a touch of elegance. The rear of the Sienna featured a big window and still managed to maintain a wide and low appearance. As for the exterior finish, Toyota’s commitment to superb quality was evident.

Inside, the Sienna continued its emphasis on width with horizontal lines, delivering a comfortable ride with a higher seating position than a sedan but not quite reaching the commanding height of a full-size SUV. The dashboard was simple and uncluttered, focused on the upper part of the center stack, housing the infotainment screen and main controls. The center console bridged the dash to a large storage compartment and tray below, designed with practicality in mind. The leather-wrapped steering wheel and high-quality materials reinforced the vehicle's premium feel.

The 2022 Ford Bronco, on the other hand, leaned heavily into retro styling, recalling its heritage while revitalizing its go-anywhere attitude. The Bronco strived for off-road supremacy with short overhangs, low-profile bumpers, and a tall ride height, which improved approach and departure angles and reduced underbody damage. Its utilitarian appearance was packed with functional elements like large recovery hooks, removable fender flares, a full-size spare mounted to the tailgate, and easily customizable modular construction.

Inside, the Bronco continued the utilitarian theme, equipped with sealed switches, buttons, marine-grade vinyl upholstery, and floor drain plugs for easy clean-up. Despite its rugged looks, the Bronco provided a digital instrument panel and a large, technically advanced infotainment touchscreen. Multiple camera views enhanced off-road driving capability, contributing to both safety and convenience when navigating tough terrains.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna featured a hybrid powertrain: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, delivering a combined 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive was standard, while all-wheel drive was an option across all trims. The AWD system utilized a separate electric motor for the rear wheels, simplifying mechanics. The Sienna employed an electronically controlled CVT, which favored smooth, efficient power delivery over spirited driving; it blunted throttle response but maximized fuel efficiency. With four drive modes (Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport), the Sienna Hybrid achieved an impressive EPA-rated fuel economy of 36 mpg across all categories in FWD models and 35/36/35 mpg for AWD versions. Enhanced suspension and steering contributed to improved handling and a comfortable ride.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Bronco offered robust engine options designed for off-roading. The base engine was a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder that produced 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque, while an optional turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 delivered 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. A seven-speed manual transmission, available only with the four-cylinder, featured a crawl gear for optimal low-speed driving and torque distribution. A 10-speed automatic was standard with the V6, available with the four-cylinder. Ford’s advanced four-wheel-drive system and electronic two-speed transfer case were standard across all models. The Bronco handled challenging off-road terrains with ease and showed commendable performance on paved roads, offering a smoother, more comfortable ride than its direct competitor, the Jeep Wrangler. Wind noise on the highway was a minor issue, but overall, the Bronco excelled both off-road and on-road.

Minivans like the 2021 Toyota Sienna are designed with practicality in mind. The Sienna featured a third-row 60/40-split bench, standard across all trims, that stored away neatly into the floor. The second row could slide up to 25 inches, easing access to the third row. The cabin catered to all passengers with ample storage cubbies and a remarkable 16 cupholders (15 with the spare tire option). Cargo handling was another strong suit; the Sienna could accommodate a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed, thanks to its versatile seating arrangements. The hybrid battery placement, tucked under the front seats, ensured no loss of cargo space. The cargo space measured 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101 cubic feet behind the first row. The Sienna had a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, adding to its utility.

On the other hand, the 2022 Ford Bronco benefitted from its boxy build, offering generous interior space. Headroom and legroom were ample for all passengers, although accessing the rear seats in the two-door model could be a challenge. Cargo capacity varied depending on the model and roof type: the two-door hard-top offered 22.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 52.3 cubic feet with seats folded; the four-door hard-top increased this to 35.6/77.6 cubic feet, respectively. The soft-top versions marginally increased these figures. Clever storage solutions included large armrest bins, netted door pockets, and rubberized phone trays, alongside stowable doors and tool-free removable fender flares. Utility was further enhanced by mounting points around the vehicle for additional gear.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna came packed with an impressive suite of technology features. Every Sienna model included a nine-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and multiple USB ports. Connectivity features like Safety Connect, Remote Connect, Service Connect, and AT&T WiFi Connect varied across trims, while Bluetooth and Qi-compatible wireless charging were available. Higher trims offered a Premium Audio + JBL package with 12 speakers, Dynamic Navigation, and surround sound. An optional rear-seat entertainment system included a wide-screen display, remote, and wireless headphones. Driver aids like a color multi-information display and a 10-inch Head-Up Display on Platinum trims enhanced convenience. The digital rearview mirror, offering an unobstructed rear view, was another notable feature on select trims.

In the 2022 Ford Bronco, technology complemented its off-road prowess. The Sync 4 infotainment system included responsive controls and crisp graphics, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. G.O.A.T. modes simplified off-roading for novice drivers, while features like a forward-looking trail camera, Trail Turn Assist, and off-road apps enhanced confidence and capability. The Bronco’s technological edge lay in balancing advanced tech while maintaining a rugged, driver-focused experience.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, and road sign assist. The Star Safety System provided traction control, anti-lock brakes, and other vital features. The Sienna featured 10 airbags and a comprehensive LATCH system for child seat installation. A rear-seat reminder system and tire pressure monitoring added to the safety suite. While 2021 crash-test ratings were pending, the previous model had performed well in IIHS and NHTSA evaluations.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered standard safety features such as hill-start assist, hill descent control, and trailer sway control. Optional packages included features like frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, adaptive cruise control, and evasive steering assist. The Bronco earned favorable ratings from IIHS and a four-out-of-five-star rating for frontal crash protection from NHTSA. However, it had a three-out-of-five-star rating for rollover protection.