2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Nissan Rogue

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid completely transformed how minivans were perceived. Minivans were rarely seen as stylish, save for a few sporadic nods such as John Travolta's Oldsmobile Silhouette reference in 1995's Get Shorty. However, Toyota’s designers made a concerted effort to redefine this genre. At a quick glance, the Sienna conveyed a more SUV-like appearance rather than a typical minivan structure. The wide grille emphasized the vehicle's width, and the horizontally integrated LED headlamp arrays, which housed a prominent Toyota logo, added a sleek touch. From the side, the Sienna showcased an assertive stance, thanks to expertly sculpted sliding side doors featuring a body line that swooped up from the rocker panels to a curvature above the rear wheels. Toyota's engineers invested substantial resources to redesign the hinges and slides, ensuring the doors tucked neatly. Different alloy wheel sizes, ranging from 17-inch to 20-inch, adorned the vehicle, amplifying its bold appearance. From behind, the Sienna balanced a broad rear window with an overall wide and low look, consistent with Toyota’s impeccable exterior fit and finish quality.

Inside, the spaciousness was emphasized with horizontal lines. Although it did not completely emulate an SUV’s ambiance, it ensured the ride didn’t feel like being on a school bus either. The higher seating position made for a comfortable drive, while the uncluttered dashboard featured most controls on the upper center stack. The center console, linking the dash to a roomy storage compartment, housed the gear selector lever and cup holders, with a functional tray below big enough for a handbag. The beefy, leather-wrapped steering wheel and the quality materials throughout added a luxurious feel. The second and third rows were designed with adult comfort in mind, with the second-row seats (offered as captain’s chairs or a bench) sliding fore and aft, optimizing space and utility.

Meanwhile, the 2022 Nissan Rogue took a bolder approach after its recent makeover. The Rogue transitioned from its former slightly cute appearance to a more mature and refined aesthetic. Nissan's design continuity was apparent with shared elements from other models like the Pathfinder. The V-motion grille, coupled with multi-level LED headlights and distinct fog lamps in higher trims, set the tone. Active grille shutters and underbody covers enhanced airflow, while a floating roof illusion, thanks to dark supporting pillars, accentuated its sleek form. The liftgate subtly bulged, giving it a well-rounded finish.

Inside, the Rogue's layered dashboard presented a sophisticated touch, especially in trims with contrasting colors. The adoption of an electronic gear selector lever freed up more space in the center console, making room for practical storage solutions like a large center console bin, cup holder slots, a wireless charging pad, and a pull-out tray beneath the console—ideal for stashing a purse or even a bucket of fried chicken. The instrument panel varied by trim, with lower trims featuring a 7-inch display and upper trims boasting a full 12.3-inch digital screen. The roomy second row comfortably seated two adults, with ample legroom and storage options, maintaining Nissan’s reputation for fit and finish.

Toyota had long been a leader in hybrid technology, and the 2021 Sienna Hybrid marked its debut in the hybrid minivan market. The vehicle combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, producing a combined output of 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive was standard, but all-wheel drive was available. This AWD utilized a separate electric motor for the rear wheels, delivering 54 hp and 89 lb-ft of torque, minimizing mechanical complications.

The Sienna's electronically controlled CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) aimed at seamless power delivery and maximizing fuel efficiency. However, the CVT blunted throttle response, making acceleration feel less immediate compared to traditional transmissions. Four selectable drive modes (Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport) allowed some customization, though the "Sport" mode merely offered a perceptible improvement in liveliness. Handling improvements over the previous model were significant, thanks to the new TNGA front suspension, steering configuration, and independent rear trailing arm suspension. Body roll was minimal, ensuring a smooth and comfortable ride. The Sienna’s standout feature was its impressive fuel economy, achieving an EPA-rated 36 mpg city/highway/combined for FWD models and 35/36/35 mpg for AWD variants.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue also saw significant enhancements in its performance, primarily from the introduction of the new 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine. This engine utilized Variable Compression technology, adjusting the combustion chamber’s size to optimize performance and fuel efficiency depending on the driver’s power demands. Producing 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque, the new engine offered substantial improvements over the previous 2.5-liter inline-four engine. The Rogue's fuel efficiency also saw gains, with EPA estimates of 30 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined.

Nissan also updated the Rogue’s CVT, extending the gear ratios to improve responsiveness. This innovation reduced the typical CVT drone and provided enhanced acceleration and passing power. While a manual transmission option remained unavailable, the Rogue’s overall driving experience was significantly improved. The refined chassis and suspension handled the enhanced engine and transmission seamlessly, maintaining controlled ride quality with minimal body roll. The electric power-assisted steering added to the overall driving experience, with a tight turning diameter of 35.4 feet.

Minivans like the 2021 Toyota Sienna are heavily scrutinized for their convenience features, and Toyota delivered impressively. The Sienna's third row, a standard 60/40-split bench, easily stowed away into the floor. The second row, sliding up to 25 inches, allowed easy access to the third row. The cabin abounded with storage cubbies, cup holders, and bottle holders, boasting a total of 16 cup holders (15 with the spare tire option).

Cargo handling was another strong suit for the Sienna, capable of carrying a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood inside with the tailgate fully closed. This capability extended to nominal cargo measurements of 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 hybrid battery's clever placement under the front seats ensured no cargo space was compromised, maintaining flexibility for loading varied items. Additionally, the Sienna could tow up to 3,500 pounds. The power-operated sliding doors and rear tailgate, responsive to kick motions, made loading and unloading incredibly convenient.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, despite being a compact crossover, offered notable cargo capacity and smart interior storage solutions. The cabin was dotted with storage compartments, including bottle holders, cupholders, a glove compartment, and a center console bin. Additional storage trays and cubbies in the dash enhanced the practicality. Rear-seat passengers benefited from door storage, seatback pockets, and a center armrest.

In terms of cargo capacity, the Rogue held its own, providing 31.6 to 36.5 cubic feet behind the second row and expanding to 74.1 cubic feet with the second row folded flat. While it was less spacious than the Sienna, it remained competitive within its class, demonstrating versatility for various storage needs.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna was a technology-packed minivan beyond its hybrid powertrain. All grades featured a nine-inch touchscreen granting access to Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and a suite of USB ports. Connectivity was robust with trials for Safety Connect, Remote Connect, Service Connect, and AT&T WiFi Connect, alongside Bluetooth integration. Qi-compatible charging was standard on higher trims and optional on others. A 1500-watt inverter with a 120-volt AC outlet could be added to mid to upper trims for powering devices.

Audio systems ranged from a six-speaker setup on the base LE to a 12-speaker Premium Audio + JBL package on Limited and Platinum trims. A rear-seat entertainment system, optional on mid to upper trims, featured an 11.6-inch 1080p display, remote control, and wireless headphones. Drivers benefited from tech inclusions like a color multi-information display, with a seven-inch and a 10-inch color Head-Up Display on higher trims displaying speed, navigation, and hybrid information. The digital rearview mirror, optional on higher trims, switched from a standard reflective view to a rear video camera feed, ideal for fully loaded conditions or obstructed views.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue’s tech offerings were a significant part of its 2021 makeover, carrying over to 2022. A standout in upper trims was the trio of displays: a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch center infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display. Navigation-equipped models utilized Google Maps and Waze via voice commands. Standard features included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with wireless Apple CarPlay available in higher trims.

ProPilot Assist, Nissan’s driver-assist technology, could link with navigation to anticipate road conditions and adjust speed accordingly. This progressive integration pointed towards autonomous driving advancements. Nissan’s Intelligent Key allowed for convenient unlocking of both front and rear doors by simply tapping the rear door handle button.

Safety was paramount in the 2021 Toyota Sienna, fitted with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 across all trims. This included dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, pre-collision detection, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, and road sign assist. The Star Safety System added enhanced vehicle stability control, traction control, ABS, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology. The Sienna boasted ten airbags and multiple LATCH connectors for child seats, a rear-seat reminder system, and a standard tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). While crash-test ratings for the 2021 model were pending, the 2020 Sienna scored well, securing a Five-Star Overall Rating from NHTSA.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue came equipped with the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite on all trims, featuring automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. Additionally, the Rogue included Intelligent Driver Alertness technology, rear door alert, and optional blind spot intervention and traffic sign recognition. ProPilot Assist elevated these features to a Level 2 advanced driver-assist system, offering automated assistance in acceleration, braking, and steering, especially in traffic conditions.

The Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, while the 2021 model previously obtained an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating.