2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Porsche Macan

The 2021 Toyota Sienna, a hybrid minivan, aimed to shed the boring, boxy image typical of its class. Designers gave it a more SUV-like presence. A wide grille emphasized its width, and horizontally arranged LED headlamp arrays integrated with the Toyota logo offered a sleek look. From the side, the Sienna had an assertive stance with re-engineered, sculpted sliding doors. The alloy wheels, varying from 17-inch to 20-inch based on trim, filled the arches nicely. At the rear, a large window helped maintain a wide, low appearance for a minivan. Inside, the Sienna focused on horizontal lines to emphasize width. The driving position was higher than a sedan but not quite an SUV's. Its dashboard was simple, and the center console featured smart storage solutions, like a bridge for a handbag. The materials offered a premium feel, and the second and third rows provided adequate comfort for adults.

The 2022 Porsche Macan retained much of its original 2015 design, with subtle updates over the years. The 2022 model featured a styling refresh, larger standard wheels, and new wheel designs. Our test vehicle, a Macan S, came with the Volcano Gray paint and 21-inch RS Spyder Design wheels, exuding a taut, athletic look. Inside, the Macan drew from other Porsches with elements like the ignition switch to the left of the steering wheel and a wide, flat dashboard. Red leather, gloss black interior trim, and silver metallic accents gave the cabin a sporty, upscale feel. The new haptic touch controls and increased storage in the center console added modern convenience.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid marked Toyota's first hybrid entry in the minivan segment. Powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, it produced 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, and all-wheel drive (AWD) was available. The electronically controlled CVT, while efficient, slightly dulled the throttle response. However, handling improved over its predecessor due to a new suspension setup. EPA fuel economy estimates were impressive: 36 mpg city, highway, and combined for FWD models and 35/36/35 mpg for AWD variants.

For the 2022 Porsche Macan, base models came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, offering 261 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The Macan S, our test vehicle, featured a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 with 375 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. Accelerating to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds with the Sport Chrono Package was part of the allure of the Macan S. All models came with a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission and a fully variable AWD system. Porsche re-tuned the steering and suspension for 2022, and the Macan S had 20-inch standard wheels with adaptive damping suspension. On the roads of Malibu, California, the Macan S demonstrated its athletic prowess, delivering a performance comparable to high-end sports cars. Fuel economy, however, reflected its sporty nature, registering 18.1 mpg against an official 19 mpg rating.

Minivans are judged heavily on convenience, and the 2021 Toyota Sienna surpassed expectations. The third row, a 60/40-split bench, stored away easily, and the second row slid up to 25 inches. Storage cubbies and cupholders were everywhere, with 16 cupholders in total. Cargo capacity varied but was impressive: 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 behind the second, and 101.0 cubic feet behind the first. Even with the hybrid battery tucked under the front seats, cargo space wasn’t compromised. It could tow up to 3,500 pounds, and power-operated side doors and tailgate added convenience.

The 2022 Porsche Macan, though sporty, was reasonably comfortable. The optional Premium Package in our test vehicle included 14-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation. Rear seats were cramped but manageable, and cargo capacity stood at 17.2 cubic feet behind the back seat, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. Porsche’s redesigned center console with haptic touch controls added a modern touch, though not as user-friendly as traditional buttons. While the Macan offered less cargo space compared to the Sienna, its focus remained on sporty driving rather than practicality.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna featured a nine-inch touchscreen standard across all trims, supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and multiple USB ports. It included one year of Safety Connect and Remote Connect trials, a ten-year Service Connect trial, and a three-month AT&T WiFi Connect trial. Higher trims got Qi-compatible charging, a Premium Audio + JBL package, and a rear-seat entertainment system with a ceiling-mounted 11.6-inch display. The driver benefited from a digital rearview mirror, a head-up display in the Platinum trim, and remote keyless entry with a Smart Key System on higher trims.

The 2022 Porsche Macan came with a 10.9-inch touchscreen called Porsche Communication Management (PCM). It included wireless Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM, a navigation system, and connected services with WiFi hotspot access. The sound system started with ten speakers but could be upgraded to Bose or Burmester systems. PCM offered an intuitive user experience, though icons could be confusing, and voice recognition lagged behind competitors. However, essential controls for stereo volume and climate were conveniently separated from the touchscreen.

Toyota equipped the 2021 Sienna Hybrid with Safety Sense 2.0, which included dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, a pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, and road sign assist. The Sienna also had ten airbags, LATCH connectors, a rear-seat reminder, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The 2020 Sienna had good crash-test ratings, but the 2021 model awaited results from IIHS and NHTSA.

Every 2022 Porsche Macan came with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a rearview camera. Additional features like blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist were optional. For parking, the Macan offered front and rear sensors, a surround-view camera, and Park Assist. Though not high-tech by advanced driver-assistance standards, these features worked as expected. However, neither NHTSA nor IIHS had published crash-test ratings for the Macan.