2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 INFINITI QX80

The 2021 Toyota Sienna aimed to redefine the minivan's aesthetic appeal. Toyota's designers gave it 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 an assertive stance with sculpted sliding side doors and alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 20 inches, depending on the trim. The rear design maintained a wide and low look, complemented by Toyota's superb fit and finish. Inside, the Sienna emphasized width with horizontal lines, a higher seating position, and a simple, uncluttered dashboard. The center console was practical, featuring a gear selector lever, multiple cupholders, and a large storage compartment. The second and third rows offered comfort and flexibility, with the second row sliding fore and aft for maximum utility.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 shared a platform with the Nissan Armada, but its front-end styling was uniquely Infiniti, featuring a distinctive grille and tastefully integrated LED lighting. The 22-inch dark chrome alloy wheels added an upscale touch. Inside, the QX80's cabin boasted upscale materials, including wood trim and quilted semi-aniline leather seats. However, the design felt dated compared to its premium competitors. Despite this, the cabin remained attractive and comfortable, with ample head- and legroom in the front seats. The third row was cramped, and the power-folding process was slow. Cargo space was decent but not class-leading, with illuminated kick plates and welcome lighting adding a premium touch.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, producing a combined 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on all trims. 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 and stable ride. The Sienna Hybrid's standout feature was its impressive fuel economy, achieving 36 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 36 mpg combined for FWD models, and 35/36/35 mpg for AWD models.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 was powered by a robust 400-horsepower, 5.6-liter V8 engine with 413 lb-ft of torque. The engine delivered strong performance and a pleasing exhaust note. It was paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission with adaptive shift control and manual mode, providing smooth and seamless power delivery. The QX80 offered both two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive options, with the latter featuring a computer-controlled transfer case. The QX80's off-road capability was enhanced by its 9.2-inch ground clearance. The vehicle could tow up to 8,500 pounds, making it suitable for heavy-duty tasks. The available Hydraulic Body Motion Control system helped manage body lean during cornering, ensuring a stable ride.

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

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 required a climb to enter, with a step-in height of nearly two feet. Inside, the cabin felt spacious and airy, with good front-seat head- and legroom. The power-sliding moonroof was smaller than some competitors' panoramic designs. The QX80 could seat up to eight passengers with the optional second-row bench seat, but the third row was cramped. Cargo space measured 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 49.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 95.1 cubic feet with all seats folded. The power-operated liftgate and illuminated kick plates added a premium touch.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna was packed with technology features. A nine-inch touchscreen was standard, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM. Connectivity options included Safety Connect, Remote Connect, Service Connect, and AT&T WiFi Connect. Higher trims featured a Premium Audio + JBL package with 12 speakers and a rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. The driver enjoyed a color multi-information display, with a 10-inch Head-Up Display available on Platinum trims. The digital rearview mirror and Smart Key System added to the convenience.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 featured a new 12.3-inch Infiniti InTouch display with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. The standard Bose 13-speaker sound system could be upgraded to a 17-speaker Performance Series system on the Sensory trim. The QX80 also included multiple USB ports and a wireless smartphone charger. The dual-screen rear entertainment system was standard, but the lack of HDMI adapters was a drawback. Notably absent was Infiniti's ProPilot Assist advanced driving-assistance system, which was unavailable due to the QX80's older architecture.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, and road sign assist. The Star Safety System, 10 airbags, LATCH connectors, rear-seat reminder system, and tire pressure monitoring system were standard. The 2020 Sienna received good ratings from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, but 2021 ratings were not yet available.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 included forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, backup collision intervention, smart rearview mirror, and adaptive cruise control. Additional safety features included driver attention alert, front knee airbags, and seat belt pre-tensioners. NHTSA gave the 2022 QX80 three out of five stars for rollover resistance, while the 2021 model received four stars for overall crash protection. IIHS had not rated the QX80.