2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Kia Sorento

The 2021 Toyota Sienna marked a significant departure from the traditional minivan aesthetic with its SUV-like appearance. The wide grille emphasized the vehicle's width, while the horizontally arranged LED headlamp arrays offered a sleek and modern look. Toyota’s design team went to great lengths to rework the sliding side doors, incorporating a sculpted body line that swooped up from the rocker panels to the rear wheels, giving the Sienna an assertive stance. Alloy wheel options ranging from 17-inch to 20-inch, depending on the model, filled the wheel arches nicely, enhancing the vehicle's sporty appeal. From the rear, the Sienna maintained a wide and low look, which is quite impressive for a minivan, and the overall fit and finish of the exterior adhered to Toyota’s reputable build quality.

Inside, the Sienna continued the emphasis on width through horizontal lines. Although it did not entirely replicate the feel of an SUV, it certainly avoided the school bus vibe often associated with minivans. The dashboard's simplicity and the centralized arrangement of controls, including a well-placed infotainment screen and a bridge-like center console with ample storage, ensured a comfortable and practical driving experience. The leather-wrapped steering wheel and quality materials throughout the interior added a refined touch. The second and third rows provided ample comfort for adults, making the Sienna a versatile choice for family outings or long drives.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Sorento exuded style, especially with the rugged X-Line treatment. This package added definition and purpose with rugged bumpers, matte-finish wheels, black lower body cladding, a lifted suspension, and robust roof rails. Our test Sorento featured extra-cost Wolf Gray paint and Rust-colored leather, which added to its luxurious feel. The total MSRP of this well-equipped model was $45,310, but even the base LX trim started at an attractive $29,590, offering affordability without compromising on quality.

The Sorento’s cabin was a statement of high-quality construction and design, from the feel of the door releases to the refinement of the traditional cable-operated transmission shifter. The interior's rock-solid construction and attention to detail were evident in all trim levels, though the premium SX Prestige trim truly stood out with its luxurious appointments and practical design. This level of quality extended to convenient features such as well-positioned charging ports, storage pockets, and comfortable seating, making it a compelling choice for those seeking style and functionality.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna was powered by a proven hybrid system combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, producing a total of 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive was standard, but all-wheel drive was available on all trim levels, using a separate electric motor to drive the rear wheels. This design eliminated the complexity of mechanical AWD systems. Despite the smooth and efficient power delivery of the electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), some drivers found it a bit sluggish. The CVT tended to drone up to speed rather than providing a punchy acceleration, but this tradeoff resulted in excellent fuel efficiency, with the FWD models achieving 36 mpg combined and the AWD models rated at 35 mpg combined. Handling had improved over previous models thanks to Toyota's TNGA platform, which provided a more comfortable and stable ride.

The 2022 Kia Sorento, on the other hand, offered several powertrain options. The base engine was a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder, which Kia acknowledged as less than stellar, especially when it took almost 9.5 seconds to reach 60 mph. More exciting were the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder generating 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, and the turbocharged hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. The Sorento's turbo engine was paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission, making the SUV feel lively and responsive. This combination allowed the AWD model to reach 60 mph in about 7.5 seconds, delivering an engaging driving experience comparable to a sports sedan. However, real-world fuel economy dipped below EPA estimates, averaging around 20.5 mpg in combined driving for the turbocharged model.

The Sorento's handling and ride quality were surprisingly sporty, soaking up road imperfections while maintaining excellent body control and communication with the driver. The X-Line’s increased ground clearance theoretically improved its off-road capabilities, but this feature seemed more cosmetic than functional without additional protective enhancements.

Minivans like the 2021 Toyota Sienna are all about convenience, and Toyota did not disappoint. Its cabin featured a plethora of storage solutions, with the third-row 60/40-split bench folding seamlessly into the floor, and the second row sliding up to 25 inches for easy access. The cabin boasted 16 cupholders, accommodating drinks for a full family. Cargo capacity was impressive: 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second, and a maximum of 101.0 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Sienna could even carry a four-by-eight sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. It also managed a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds, and the hybrid battery was cleverly integrated under the front seats without compromising cargo space.

The 2022 Kia Sorento, while luxurious and well-designed, fell short when it came to third-row comfort. Adults would find the third row cramped, with limited legroom and headspace dangerously close to the rear window. However, the second-row captain’s chairs offered a comfortable and practical seating solution, complete with built-in storage and USB ports. Cargo space was limited to 12.6 cubic feet with all seats up but expanded to 38.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and to 75.5 cubic feet with the second row down. Like the Sienna, it featured a smart power tailgate for easy loading. Despite the interior's overall comfort and luxury, the Sorento was not as cargo-friendly as the Sienna.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna came equipped with a nine-inch touchscreen interface standard on all trims, supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and multiple USB ports. Higher trims offered premium audio systems, Dynamic Navigation, and a rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. Driver-centric technology included a multi-information display, a color Head-Up Display in Platinum models, and an optional digital rearview mirror. Connectivity features like Safety Connect, Remote Connect, and WiFi Connect were offered with generous trial periods, enhancing both convenience and safety.

The 2022 Kia Sorento saw an upgrade to its infotainment suite, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen standard on all but the base trim, which retained an 8-inch display. While this larger system required wired smartphone integration, it offered a wealth of features including navigation and Kia Connect services. The interface, though thorough in functionality, incorporated a design that might not appeal to everyone due to its vibrant use of purple. A 12-speaker Bose system was reserved for the top trim, along with wireless smartphone charging. Despite some design quirks, the Sorento’s infotainment system was generally well-regarded for its user-friendly interface and robust feature set.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included a comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems such as dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, and road sign assist. Additionally, the Star Safety System provided enhanced stability control and traction control among other features. The van was equipped with 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and LATCH connectors for child seats. However, crash-test ratings for the 2021 model were not available at the time, though previous models held good safety ratings.

The 2022 Kia Sorento included the Kia Drive Wise suite, with features varying by trim level. Notable inclusions were an ultrasonic rear-seat reminder system, Junction Assist, Blind View Monitor, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, and Highway Driving Assist, which provided semi-autonomous driving capabilities. The Sorento earned the Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS, with high marks for its safety equipment, though it received a four-star overall rating from NHTSA, primarily due to its frontal-impact collision and rollover resistance scores.