2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Lexus NX

The 2021 Toyota Sienna aimed to revolutionize the not-so-fashionable reputation of minivans. Designed with an SUV-like appearance, it featured a wide grille to emphasize its width and sleek LED headlamp arrays that integrated horizontally with a panel also housing the Toyota logo. The engineering team made a notable effort to rework the sliding side doors, resulting in sculpted, non-flat doors with a swooping body line that added to its assertive stance. The Sienna's rear showcased a substantial rear window while maintaining a wide, low look for a minivan. Alloy wheel sizes varied from 17 to 20 inches based on the trim, adding to its refined look. The exterior quality was described as superb, reflecting Toyota’s consistent quality standards.

Inside, the Sienna emphasized width with horizontal lines on the dashboard. The seating position was higher than in a sedan but not as commanding as in a full-size SUV. The dashboard design was simple and uncluttered, with controls clustered on the upper part of the center stack below the infotainment screen. The center console featured useful compartments like a pair of open cup holders, another pair with a hinged cover, and a large storage area beneath the center armrest. The spacing was thoughtful, including a tray below the console perfect for a handbag. The materials used were high-quality, and the leather-wrapped steering wheel added a luxurious touch.

In the second and third rows, comfort was prioritized, even for adult passengers. The second row offered either captain’s chairs or a bench seat, enhancing the utility and comfort depending on the configuration.

The 2022 Lexus NX, meanwhile, came in four model series with varying degrees of luxury and sportiness. Lexus emphasized its design pillar, crafting the NX with a signature spindle grille that made it unmistakably a Lexus. The new NX adopted a simplified and refined styling approach, shedding unnecessary complexities for a sleeker look. The vehicle was longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor, increasing passenger and cargo space. Most trim levels featured NuLuxe simulated leather, with the Luxury trim offering real leather and open-pore wood trim. For the first time, the NX also included a panoramic sunroof.

The NX 350 F Sport distinguished itself with a unique mesh-pattern grille, body-color fender trim, 20-inch gloss black wheels, and black mirrors. Inside, sport-bolstered seats and a black headliner created a sporty ambiance, enhanced by the new F Sport steering wheel and unique instrumentation, including a G-force meter. The F Sport’s dark interior trim and alloy pedals added to its sporty flair. The interior followed a minimalist and clutter-free design, a departure from the previous model's button-heavy dashboard. However, some functions integrated into the 14-inch touchscreen were challenging to locate quickly.

Toyota leveraged its hybrid expertise in the 2021 Sienna Hybrid, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive was standard, with an all-wheel-drive option that used a separate electric motor for the rear wheels. The Sienna featured a Continuously Variable Automatic Transmission (CVT), which, though efficient, dulled throttle response. It offered four drive modes: Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport. Improved handling came via a new front suspension, steering, and independent rear trailing arm suspension, promising a smooth and comfortable ride. Fuel economy was a major plus, with the FWD models hitting 36 mpg in city, highway, and combined driving, while AWD models achieved 35/36/35 mpg.

The 2022 Lexus NX focused heavily on electrification and driving performance. The NX 350h hybrid delivered 239 horsepower with an impressive 39 mpg combined, while the NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid offered 302 horsepower and an estimated 36 miles of electric range. The NX 350 came with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine generating 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it included standard AWD. It featured several drive modes and an adaptive variable sports suspension for the F Sport trim, enhancing performance and handling. Fuel economy estimates for the NX 350 stood at 25 mpg combined, though real-world usage varied with driving style and conditions.

As a minivan, the 2021 Sienna excelled in utility and versatility. The third-row seat, standard across all trims, was a 60/40-split bench easily stowed into the floor. The second-row seats could slide up to 25 inches, allowing flexible access to the third row. The Sienna boasted 16 cupholders and ample storage cubbies throughout the cabin. Cargo capacities were impressive: 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and up to 101 cubic feet with the first row, supporting the claim of carrying a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood. The hybrid battery was cleverly placed under the front seats, preserving cargo space. Additionally, both side sliding doors and the rear tailgate were power-operated and could respond to kick motions for hands-free convenience.

The 2022 Lexus NX provided a comfortable and practical interior, though it did not feel significantly more spacious than its predecessor despite Lexus’s claims. Heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and well-padded surfaces added to the comfort. Rear passengers enjoyed ample room, with air conditioning vents, USB ports, and optional heated cushions. Cargo space saw a 14% increase, offering 22.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 46.9 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna was packed with technology, starting with a standard nine-inch touchscreen that offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The audio system varied by trim, from a six-speaker stereo to a 12-speaker JBL system with dynamic navigation. The Sienna featured multiple connectivity options, including a year’s trial for several connect services and a three-month trial for Wi-Fi. The infotainment system included a rear entertainment option with an 11.6-inch screen and wireless headphones. The driver enjoyed a multi-information display and an optional color Head-Up Display (HUD), among other conveniences. The higher trims offered a digital rearview mirror for an unobstructed rear view.

The 2022 Lexus NX made a significant leap forward with its Lexus Interface infotainment system. Standard was a 9.8-inch touchscreen, upgradeable to a 14-inch screen, both with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Voice Assistant and Intelligent Assistant technology allowed natural command inputs. Lexus provided several subscription services for connected features, including cloud-based navigation and streaming. A 10-speaker sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson system available. Additional available tech included a digital mirror and a comprehensive HUD. Despite these advancements, some critiques noted difficulty with fingerprint collection on the screens and the absence of a tuning knob.

Safety was paramount in the 2021 Toyota Sienna, equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, pre-collision system, and more. The van had ten airbags, multiple LATCH connectors, and a rear-seat reminder system. Standard features also included a tire pressure monitoring system and an inflator kit, with an option for a spare tire stored for easier access. While crash-test ratings for 2021 were pending, the 2020 model had high ratings from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA.

The 2022 Lexus NX also came loaded with safety technology in its LSS+ 3.0 suite. This included new features like Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, Oncoming Vehicle and Pedestrian Detection, and Curve Speed Management. Additionally, the NX had Emergency Driving Stop System and an array of standard safety features like blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and Safe Exit Assist. Optional safety features included a panoramic view monitoring system and semi-autonomous parking assist.