2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid aimed to redefine the minivan's aesthetic appeal, traditionally not known for its style. Toyota's designers gave the Sienna a more SUV-like appearance, with a wide grille and sleek LED headlamp arrays that integrated seamlessly with the Toyota logo. The side profile featured an assertive stance, with re-engineered sliding doors that boasted a sculpted look, enhancing the vehicle's overall design. Alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 20 inches added to its visual appeal, while the rear maintained a wide and low look, typical of Toyota's high-quality fit and finish. Inside, the Sienna emphasized width with horizontal lines, offering a comfortable seating position and a simple, uncluttered dashboard. The center console was thoughtfully designed, providing ample storage and convenience features, while the second and third rows offered flexibility and comfort for passengers.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded luxury and elegance, a hallmark of the Land Rover brand. The Velar's design was a scaled-down version of the iconic Range Rover, featuring a sporty yet sophisticated look. Its long wheelbase, short overhangs, and trapezoidal roof were complemented by flush door handles and a sleek, streamlined form. Special design elements like taillight lenses with depth illusions and air ducts reminiscent of high-performance vehicles added to its allure. The interior was equally impressive, with high-quality materials and a polished black center stack. Despite being a base trim, the Velar's cabin maintained a luxurious feel, with sharp screens and sophisticated graphics. However, the Velar's design choices, such as the lack of a discrete parking brake control, highlighted a trend of prioritizing style over functionality.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid marked Toyota's first foray into hybrid minivans, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, producing a combined 243 horsepower. The Sienna offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options, with the latter utilizing a separate electric motor for the rear wheels. The electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT) provided smooth power delivery, though it lacked the punch of a conventional transmission. The Sienna's handling was significantly improved with new suspension systems, offering a comfortable ride with minimal body roll. The standout feature was its impressive fuel economy, with FWD models achieving 36 mpg across the board and AWD models slightly lower.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, offering a unique driving experience for a Land Rover. Its lower center of gravity and lighter weight contributed to better handling and braking. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, delivering 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Velar's ride was smooth and controlled, with an optional air suspension providing a plush experience. The Velar also offered a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a mild-hybrid system, available in two power outputs, enhancing performance while reducing emissions. However, the Velar's off-road capabilities were limited compared to larger Range Rover models, focusing more on street performance.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna excelled in convenience and functionality, crucial for a minivan. It featured a standard third-row bench that folded into the floor, with a second row that slid up to 25 inches for easy access. The cabin boasted 16 cupholders and ample storage space, with cargo capacity ranging from 33.5 to 101 cubic feet, depending on seat configuration. The Sienna's hybrid battery was cleverly positioned under the front seats, preserving cargo space. Power-operated sliding doors and tailgate, responsive to kick motions, added to its family-friendly appeal.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, while stylish, offered limited interior space compared to midsize SUVs. Its design compromised headroom and visibility, with cargo space at 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with seats folded. The Velar's interior design choices, such as the lack of a discrete parking brake control, were criticized for prioritizing aesthetics over practicality. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system improved user experience with a simplified layout and faster response times.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna was packed with technology, featuring a standard nine-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. It offered various connectivity options, including Safety Connect, Remote Connect, and WiFi Connect trials. Higher trims boasted a Premium Audio + JBL package and a rear-seat entertainment system. The driver benefited from a multi-information display and an optional digital rearview mirror, enhancing convenience and safety.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system exceeded expectations, offering a simplified layout and logical arrangements. It featured voice activation, air quality monitoring, and advanced navigation capabilities. The Velar also included a 360-degree camera system and a 12-speaker Meridian stereo, though its driving assist display lacked detail compared to competitors.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering a comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems, including dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, and a pre-collision system. It featured 10 airbags and a rear-seat reminder system, with a tire pressure monitoring system standard across all models. While 2021 crash-test ratings were unavailable, the 2020 Sienna received favorable ratings from IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar scored well in European NCAP tests, though U.S. ratings were unavailable. It offered standard driving assists like forward emergency braking and lane-keeping assist, with optional 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control.