2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 GMC Terrain

The 2021 Toyota Sienna aimed to redefine the minivan's aesthetic, traditionally not known for its style. Toyota's designers gave the Sienna a more SUV-like appearance, featuring a wide grille and sleek LED headlamp arrays integrated into a panel with the Toyota logo. The side profile showcased assertive lines, with re-engineered sliding doors that added a sculpted look. Alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 20 inches filled the arches, enhancing its visual appeal. The rear design maintained a wide and low stance, with Toyota's signature quality fit and finish.

Inside, the Sienna emphasized width with horizontal lines, avoiding the typical minivan feel. The seating position was higher than a sedan's, offering a comfortable ride. The dashboard was simple and uncluttered, with controls clustered around the infotainment screen. The center console featured a gear selector, cup holders, and a large storage compartment. The second and third rows provided ample comfort, with the second row sliding for maximum utility. The materials and surfaces throughout the cabin had a premium feel, making the Sienna a pleasant place to be.

GMC updated the Terrain's front styling, wheel designs, taillights, and interior trim for the 2022 model year. The new AT4 trim level featured a bolder grille, black 17-inch alloy wheels with sport-terrain tires, and AT4 badges. The Terrain AT4 was marketed as a "small off-road SUV," equipped with a steel skid plate to protect vital components. Our test vehicle came with Ebony Twilight metallic paint, a black leather interior, and several packages, bringing the MSRP to $41,810.

The Terrain's interior was roomy for a compact crossover, with power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The back seat offered plenty of legroom and foot room, with a rear USB charging port. GMC included numerous storage solutions, such as a small shelf in the dashboard and narrow shelves in the door panels. Cargo space measured 29.6 cubic feet behind the back seat, expanding to 63.3 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. The front passenger seat could also fold down for longer items.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid was Toyota's first hybrid minivan, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors producing 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 prioritized fuel efficiency over throttle response. The Sienna offered four selectable drive modes: Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport. Handling was significantly improved with new front suspension and independent rear trailing arm suspension, providing a comfortable ride. The Sienna Hybrid achieved impressive EPA fuel economy ratings of 36 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 36 mpg combined for FWD models, and 35/36/35 mpg for AWD models.

The 2022 GMC Terrain featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. The previously available turbocharged 2.0-liter engine was discontinued. The 1.5-liter engine could tow up to 1,500 pounds. The nine-speed automatic transmission kept the Terrain in the torque band, but the engine lacked rapid acceleration. The Terrain AT4 offered FWD, AWD, Off-Road mode, and Hill Descent Control. The AT4 model had 7.9 inches of ground clearance, less than some competitors. The Terrain provided a good ride on pavement, but off-road performance was limited. The EPA rated the Terrain AT4 at 26 mpg, and our test vehicle achieved 26.2 mpg.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna excelled in convenience functions, with a standard third-row 60/40-split bench that stored easily. The second row slid up to 25 inches, facilitating access to the third row. The cabin featured 16 cupholders and ample storage cubbies. The Sienna could carry a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. Cargo space measured 33.5 cubic feet 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 tucked under the front seats, preserving cargo space. Power-operated sliding doors and tailgate responded to kick motions, enhancing family-friendly functionality.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered a roomy interior with power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The back seat provided ample legroom and foot room, with a rear USB charging port. GMC included various storage solutions, such as a small shelf in the dashboard and narrow shelves in the door panels. Cargo space measured 29.6 cubic feet behind the back seat, expanding to 63.3 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. The front passenger seat could also fold down for longer items.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna featured a nine-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and multiple USB ports. Standard connectivity included trials of Safety Connect, Remote Connect, Service Connect, and AT&T WiFi Connect. Higher trims offered Qi-compatible charging, a 1500-watt inverter, and a Premium Audio + JBL package with 12 speakers. A rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display was available. The driver enjoyed a multi-information display, a 10-inch Head-Up Display in Platinum trim, and a digital rearview mirror. Remote keyless entry and push-button start were standard, with Smart Key System on higher trims.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems: a 7-inch touchscreen for SLE trim and an 8-inch touchscreen for SLT, AT4, and Denali trims. Both systems included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and GMC Connected Services. The larger screen added connected navigation and a Bose premium sound system. The voice recognition system was highly effective, accurately responding to various prompts. The Tech Package included a head-up display, front and rear park assist sensors, and a surround-view camera system. The Terrain also featured a Tire Fill Alert system and remote engine starting.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including 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. The Star Safety System included enhanced vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology. The Sienna had 10 airbags, LATCH connectors, a rear-seat reminder system, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The 2020 Sienna received high safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA, but 2021 ratings were not yet available.

The 2022 GMC Terrain featured the GMC Pro Safety Package, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a following distance indicator. The GMC Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, rear parking sensors, and a Safety Alert Seat. The Terrain received mostly "Good" crash-test scores from IIHS, with a "Marginal" rating in a new side-impact test. NHTSA had not yet evaluated the 2022 Terrain's crashworthiness.