2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

The 2021 Toyota Sienna aimed to elevate the traditional minivan aesthetic with a more SUV-like appearance. At first glance, its wide grille and horizontally arranged LED headlamps created a sleek and modern look. The side profile featured sliding side doors that were meticulously sculpted to integrate seamlessly with the body’s bulging rear wheel arches. This design choice necessitated a complete rethinking of the sliding mechanism, resulting in a clean and assertive stance. The alloy wheels ranged from 17-inch to 20-inch, enhancing the overall polished appearance, further emphasized by the superb Toyota fit and finish.

Inside, the Sienna emphasized horizontal lines to enhance the perception of width. While it didn't match the feel of an SUV, it certainly didn't feel like a school bus. The seating position was comfortably high, and the dashboard was uncluttered with controls clustered conveniently below the infotainment screen. The center console featured practical elements like a big storage compartment and various cupholders, indicative of Toyota’s attention to convenience. Quality materials were apparent throughout the cabin, making for a pleasant driving experience. The second and third rows offered ample comfort and space, ideal for adult passengers.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L gracefully blended its extended length into the body, maintaining an elegant and unmistakable Jeep identity. It featured a seven-slot rectangular grille, U-shaped wheel arches, and a blunt front end, enhanced by slimmer, modernized lighting and improved paint finishes. Trim levels from the base Laredo to the Summit Reserve looked impressive, with higher trims adding black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome embellishments. New for 2022, Jeep introduced three new exterior colors: Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky.

The Jeep's interior aimed for a premium feel with dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, quilted Nappa leather, and even a faux-suede roof. These elements gave the Grand Cherokee L a truly luxurious ambiance, comparable to high-end vehicles. The attention to detail was evident even in an all-black interior, where contrasting elements helped maintain visual interest and comfort, further enhanced by thoughtful design choices.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid featured a well-proven powertrain combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. Available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options, the hybrid setup featured an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT). While the CVT improved fuel efficiency, it resulted in a somewhat muted throttle response. Despite this, the Sienna performed well in various driving modes, including Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport, the latter offering a more lively experience. Improved TNGA front suspension and independent rear trailing arm suspension contributed to better handling and minimized body roll. The standout feature for the Sienna was its EPA fuel economy, achieving 36 mpg in both city and highway driving for FWD models and slightly less for AWD.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L came with a choice of two familiar engines: a 3.6-liter V6 or a 5.7-liter V8, each mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive options. The V6's 293 horsepower was found to be inadequate for a vehicle of this size, with high revs and engine noise detracting from the driving experience. In contrast, the V8 provided a robust 357 horsepower and transmitted power more smoothly, ideal for the larger Jeep. While fuel economy was decent with the V6, the V8 consumed more, as expected. The chassis, however, was a strong point, offering excellent ride composure and steering feel. The optional air suspension provided adjustable ride height and tactile driving mode options, giving varied experiences from soft rides to precise handling. Jeep's driving modes, suited for various terrains, added another layer of versatility.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna excelled in convenience functions, crucial for a minivan. It featured a third-row 60/40-split bench that stowed away easily, with a second row that could slide up to 25 inches for easy access. The cabin boasted 16 cupholders, ample storage cubbies, and bottle holders on all side doors, ensuring that passengers had plenty of places to stow their belongings. The Sienna's cargo capacity was impressive, with 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and up to 101.0 cubic feet behind the first row. Additionally, it could tow up to 3,500 pounds, making it versatile for various needs. The hybrid battery was cleverly tucked under the front seats, preserving cargo space and offering an extended warranty.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L also offered ample space across its three rows, accommodating adults comfortably even in the third row. Standard second-row captain's chairs or an available bench seat provided flexibility, while features like panoramic roofs and numerous USB ports enhanced passenger comfort on long journeys. However, the small air vents struggled to direct enough airflow, necessitating a higher and noisier fan setting. The Grand Cherokee L's cargo capacity, though not explicitly stated, offered competitive storage space and towing capabilities. It boasted a maximum towing capacity of 6,200 pounds for RWD models and 7,200 pounds for 4WD models.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna was loaded with technology, starting with a nine-inch touchscreen standard across all grades, supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The vehicle provided multiple connectivity options, including a year’s trial of Safety Connect and Remote Connect and a ten-year trial of Service Connect. Higher trims featured Qi-compatible wireless charging and enhanced audio systems, with a 12-speaker JBL package available. Rear-seat entertainment with an 11.6-inch display was also available. Additional driver-centric tech included a color multi-information display, an optional 10-inch Head-Up Display (HUD), and a digital rearview mirror for top trim levels.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L impressed with its advanced features. Upper trims offered luxuries like multiple massage modes, a head-up display, night vision, a clear 360-degree camera system, and an Active Driving Assist system. The dashboard could house a 10.3-inch touchscreen for the passenger and dual 10.1-inch touchscreens for rear passengers with Amazon Fire TV. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring were standard, with higher trims adding features like automatic parking, front cross-traffic alert, and a 19-speaker McIntosh stereo system.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, a pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, and road sign assist. Standard safety features included ten airbags, LATCH connectors, a rear-seat reminder system, and tire pressure monitoring. Despite lacking current crash-test ratings, previous models had scored highly in safety tests.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not yet been tested by NHTSA or IIHS but included standard safety features like driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert, and trailer sway control. Various driver aids, such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist, were standard, with additional features like automatic parking and driver attention monitoring available on higher trims.