2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 GMC Yukon

The 2021 Toyota Sienna distinguished itself from typical minivans with a robust, SUV-like appearance. At first glance, its wide grille and horizontally arranged LED headlamp arrays enhanced its broad facade, injecting a sense of sleekness. Attention to detail in the sliding side doors, featuring a body line that swooped up from the rocker panels to the rear wheels, shifted away from flat, slab-sided designs, showcasing remarkable engineering reconfigurations in hinges and slides to tuck the door in seamlessly. Alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 20 inches complemented this assertive stance. The rear end, with its expansive rear window, managed to look both wide and low for a minivan, reflecting Toyota’s superior exterior quality.

Inside, Toyota emphasized width and horizontal lines. The seating arrangement avoided an overly sedan-like or bus-like feel, aiming for comfort. The dashboard was uncluttered, with most controls easily accessible on the upper part of the center stack. The center console, hosting the gear selector, cup holders, and a large storage compartment, formed a bridge that allowed extra storage space below. A versatile, family-centric cabin with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and quality materials made it feel premium. The second and third rows provided ample space for adults, with adjustable seating configurations for maximum utility and comfort.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Yukon prioritized a premium, chrome-rich exterior. Even the base SLE model boasted enough shine to stand out, culminating in the Denali trim's chrome-monolithic front. The vast, intricate grille, resonating with a cheese-grater likeness, alongside C-shaped headlights, gave it a commanding presence. Our Denali test vehicle flaunted 22-inch bright machined aluminum wheels that popped against the dark Redwood Metallic paint. The off-road-focused AT4 trim, with its dark grille, skid plate, and horizontal red recovery hooks, carved its niche aesthetically.

Inside, the Yukon featured a tastefully crafted, spacious cabin. The third row received significant improvements, offering more legroom and comfort than past models. Leather seats were standard on all trims except SLE, with higher trims presenting more premium material options. The Denali stood out with exclusive interior combinations, such as the Teak/Light Shale color combo with unique stitching and natural wood details. The AT4 trim maintained a rugged interior with Brandy accents and dark brushed aluminum details.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid marked Toyota's first foray into hybrid minivans, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available across all trims, achieved through a separate electric motor driving the rear wheels. The electronically controlled CVT favored smooth and efficient power delivery but lacked punch, especially noticeable in the droning acceleration rather than dynamic throttle responses. Despite this, handling improved considerably over prior models, with a refined TNGA front suspension and independent rear trailing arm suspension contributing to minimal body roll and comfort on long drives. The Sienna Hybrid shone with exceptional fuel economy, boasting an estimated 36 mpg for FWD and 35 mpg for AWD models.

The 2022 GMC Yukon offered three engine choices, including a notable 3.0-liter turbodiesel option. The 5.3-liter V8, standard on all but the Denali, produced 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. The Denali's 6.2-liter V8 elevated performance with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The new 3.0-liter turbodiesel, offering 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, presented a fuel-efficient alternative. All engines paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive standard and four-wheel drive optional, except immediately on the AT4 trim. The SUV featured excellent towing capacities, maxing out at 8,400 pounds for specific configurations. The independent rear suspension improved handling and ride comfort, though our test vehicle experienced some bouncing over rough terrain, offset by the air ride adaptive suspension’s benefits, especially on highways.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna focused on versatility and family-friendly features. A third-row 60/40-split bench was standard, easily stowing away into the floor. The second row’s 25-inch slide range facilitated effortless third-row access. The cabin included an impressive total of 16 cupholders, enhancing utility for all occupants. Cargo versatility was a highlight, accommodating up to a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. Cargo space ranged from 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row to a substantial 101 cubic feet behind the first row. Moreover, the hybrid battery's clever placement under the front seats ensured no loss of cargo space. Power-operated side doors and tailgate, responding to kick motions, added exceptional convenience.

The 2022 GMC Yukon excelled in spaciousness and practicality, especially following its 2021 redesign. The third row saw a 10-inch boost in legroom, vastly improving passenger comfort. Cargo volume increased behind the third row from 15.3 cubic feet to 25.5 cubic feet. The additional length and independent rear suspension yielded a lower floor, further enhancing usable space. Second-row seats folded flat, and our test vehicle featured power-folding second-row buckets and a power fold-flat third-row, facilitating easy configuration changes. Unique to the Denali was a power-sliding center console with hidden storage, adding a layer of functionality. Illuminated assist steps and innovative pushbutton transmission controls enhanced everyday usability.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna integrated ample technology, starting with a standard nine-inch touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, one USB media port, and six USB charging ports. Connectivity options included trials of Safety Connect, Remote Connect, Service Connect, and AT&T WiFi Connect. Higher trims featured Qi-compatible charging, a 1500-watt inverter, and an upgraded JBL audio system with 12 speakers. The rear-seat entertainment system, available on higher trims, boasted an 11.6-inch 1080p display with HDMI input. A color multi-information display provided essential driving data, with Platinum models incorporating a 10-inch Head-Up Display (HUD) showing speedometer, navigation, and hybrid system details.

For the 2022 GMC Yukon, technology was expansive and advanced. A 12-inch reconfigurable driver information center displayed critical information, controlled via the steering wheel. The 15-inch multi-color HUD in our Denali test vehicle was a notable feature, offering extensive display capabilities. The 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system came standard with Google Built-In functionalities, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, complemented by a WiFi hotspot and wireless phone charging. The Yukon’s rear-seat entertainment system, part of the Denali Ultimate Package, featured dual 12.6-inch LCD HD touchscreens compatible with various devices. Though the Bose 14-speaker audio system fell short of expectations, it still provided decent sound quality for passengers.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, featuring dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, and road sign assist. Additional safety features included enhanced vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and smart stop technology. With 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder, and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), the Sienna was robustly outfitted for safety. Although crash-test ratings for the 2021 model weren’t available yet, the 2020 version achieved high ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2022 GMC Yukon included the Pro Safety suite of driver aids and Pro Safety Plus starting from the SLT trim. The standard suite comprised automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and more. Pro Safety Plus added lane-change alert, blind-spot warning, and rear park assist. Advanced safety features like a Safety Alert Seat and adjustable rear camera mirror offered additional safety layers. The NHTSA awarded the Yukon an overall four-star rating, excelling in side crash protection with five stars but scoring three stars in rollover resistance.