2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid aimed to redefine the minivan's aesthetic appeal. At first glance, it presented a more SUV-like appearance with a wide grille and sleek LED headlamp arrays. The side profile showcased assertive sliding doors, re-engineered for a sculpted look, and alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 20 inches, depending on the trim. 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, offering a higher seating position than a sedan but not quite the command seating of an SUV. The dashboard was simple and uncluttered, with a smartly designed center console that included multiple cup holders and a large storage compartment. The second and third rows provided ample comfort for adults, with the second row sliding fore and aft for maximum utility.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe retained Jeep's iconic seven-slot grille, blending heritage with modernity through active shutters for improved aerodynamics. The Grand Cherokee 4xe was available only as a two-row, five-passenger SUV, with trim levels including the base 4xe, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve. The Overland trim featured a silver exterior with a contrasting black roof and 20-inch wheels, along with signature surf blue tow hooks. Inside, the Overland trim offered leather seats, wood and metal accents, heated and ventilated front seats, and bronze contrast stitching. However, the interior also had a noticeable amount of hard plastic materials, particularly below the hip point, which raised concerns about durability and noise. Gloss black materials added a sharp look but were prone to fingerprints and glare.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid marked Toyota's first hybrid minivan, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on all trims. The AWD system used a separate electric motor for the rear wheels, simplifying the mechanical setup. The Sienna employed an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which, while efficient, tended to blunt throttle response. Four selectable drive modes—Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport—offered varying levels of performance. The Sienna's handling was significantly improved with new TNGA front suspension and independent rear trailing arm suspension, minimizing body roll. Fuel economy was a standout feature, with FWD models achieving 36 mpg city, highway, and combined, while AWD models were rated at 35/36/35 mpg.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe's plug-in hybrid powertrain combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine with a 400-volt, 17-kWh battery pack, delivering an impressive 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain outperformed Jeep's 5.7-liter V8. The Grand Cherokee 4xe featured standard four-wheel drive managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission, achieving 56 MPGe and a total driving range of 470 miles. The battery provided 25 miles of all-electric driving range, with an electronic front-axle disconnect to save fuel. The Grand Cherokee 4xe offered three E Select powertrain modes: Hybrid, Electric, and eSave, along with regenerative braking and a Max Regen setting for one-pedal driving. Off-road capabilities were enhanced with Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II systems, and the Trailhawk trim offered up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance and a 24-inch wading depth. However, the 4xe's towing capacity was limited to 6,000 pounds, less than the V6 and V8 models.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna excelled in convenience and functionality, with a standard third-row 60/40-split bench that easily stored into the floor. The second row slid up to 25 inches, facilitating access to the third row. The cabin featured 16 cupholders (15 with the spare tire option) and ample storage cubbies. Cargo handling was a strong suit, with the ability to carry a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood inside. 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 Sienna's 288-volt Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery pack was cleverly tucked under the front seats, preserving cargo space. Power-operated sliding doors and tailgate responded to kick motions, adding to the family-friendly features.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, while not offering a third row, provided ample space for passengers in its two-row configuration. Folding the second row expanded cargo space from 37.7 cubic feet to 70.8 cubic feet, slight improvements over the previous generation. Head and legroom were generous in both rows, making it a comfortable family vehicle for up to four passengers. The available air suspension allowed for quick adjustments, lowering the vehicle for easier loading and unloading. Despite testing in hot conditions, the standard heated steering wheel promised comfort in colder weather.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna was packed with technology features, starting with a standard nine-inch touchscreen offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM. Connectivity included a year's trial of Safety Connect and Remote Connect, a ten-year trial of Service Connect, and a three-month trial of AT&T WiFi Connect. Bluetooth hands-free and audio streaming were standard, with Qi-compatible charging available on higher trims. Audio systems ranged from a six-speaker stereo to a 12-speaker Premium Audio + JBL package. A rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display was available on higher trims. The driver enjoyed a color multi-information display, with a 10-inch Head-Up Display (HUD) available on Platinum models. A digital rearview mirror was also an option on Limited and Platinum trims.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, an Android-powered interface with customization options like My Pages. The Grand Cherokee 4xe included multiple screens, such as a 10.25-inch front-passenger display and a frameless 10.25-inch digital driver information display. A wireless charging pad was optional, while four USB ports were standard. Optional dual rear-seat entertainment screens ran Amazon's Fire TV for Auto. The 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, available on higher trims, was a standout feature, offering exceptional audio quality.

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, with enhanced vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology, was also standard. The Sienna featured 10 airbags and LATCH connectors, with a rear-seat reminder system and tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). Crash-test ratings for the 2021 Sienna were not yet available, but the 2020 model received high marks from IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe offered a mix of standard and optional advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Standard features included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, rear parking sensors, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included intersection-collision assist, night vision, front parking sensors, and a 360-degree surround-view camera. Jeep announced a hands-off driver assistance feature suite, but it required additional hardware and was not available to early buyers. Neither IIHS nor NHTSA had crash-tested the 2022 Grand Cherokee 4xe at the time of writing.