2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Toyota Sienna

The 2021 Toyota Sienna underwent a significant redesign to offer a more SUV-like exterior, embellished with a wide grille and integrated LED headlamp arrays contributing to its sleek, horizontal aesthetics. Toyota engineers had revitalized the typical minivan look by redesigning the sliding side doors, enhancing the vehicle's side profile with a sculpted, assertive stance. The interior echoed this modernity, focusing heavily on creating an uncluttered, horizontal line-oriented dashboard, which, alongside a higher seating position compared to sedans, attempted to offer a quasi-SUV experience while ensuring comfortable access and a refined ride. In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Sienna retained much of its exterior styling from 2021, focusing instead on integrating refined stylistic elements like re-engineered door hinges and enhanced rear door styles that melded into the fenders. The similarity in wheel sizes along with the exterior finishes suggested a continuity rather than a departure in design philosophy. The interior in 2022 preserved its spacious and uncluttered ethos, placing significant importance on providing ample, easily accessible storage and maintaining a clear division between driver controls and passenger comfort zones.

In terms of hybrid technology performance, both the 2021 and the 2022 Sienna models featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, culminating in a combined output of 243 horsepower. All-wheel drive options accompanied by a separate electric motor for the rear wheels facilitated smooth and less mechanically complex propulsion. The use of a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) remained consistent across both models, emphasizing fuel efficiency over swift throttle responses. Notably, both versions offered selectable drive modes, including a Sport mode for a sprightlier drive, despite the naturally subdued dynamism of a hybrid minivan. In 2021, the Sienna boasted impressive fuel efficiency with front-wheel-drive models achieving an EPA-estimated 36 mpg in combined cycles, while the all-wheel-drive versions performed slightly lower at 35 mpg combined. The 2022 Sienna mirrored these figures, reinforcing Toyota's commitment to fuel economy in the minivan segment.

Both the 2021 and 2022 Toyota Sienna showcased practical features ideal for family-oriented uses. Each model offered an easy stow-away 60/40-split third-row and a highly flexible second-row seating arrangement that enabled considerable cargo space optimization—33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 101 cubic feet behind the first row. Both model years maintained a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, highlighting their capabilities as competent haulers for family trips or heavier errands. Although based on the same platform, the thoughtful design to tuck away the hybrid battery under the front seats preserved valuable cargo space across both years, emphasizing functionality without sacrificing storage.

The 2021 and 2022 Sienna leaned heavily into technology, with each model year offering a nine-inch touchscreen equipped standard across all grades, supporting a variety of connectivity options including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The inclusion of numerous USB ports, an optional high-powered inverter, and upscale audio options including a JBL system in higher trims demonstrated Toyota's commitment to a connected and comfortable in-cabin experience. Where technology diverged slightly was in areas such as wireless device charging, which remained an optional feature in both models rather than a standard offering across all grades—highlighting a missed opportunity for enhanced convenience given the prevalence of this technology in competitor models.

Safety features between the two model years remained robust and largely unchanged, with both benefitting from Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.0 package, offering comprehensive active safety technologies. These include dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, and a pre-collision system among others. The dedication to safety was further evidenced by the inclusion of 10 airbags, tire pressure monitoring systems, and modification from under-vehicle to in-wall spare tire storage for greater convenience and safety. Both the 2021 and 2022 Sienna models were expected to carry over exemplary safety ratings due to their built-in safety features and structural design, underscoring Toyota's ongoing commitment to passenger security in the family minivan segment.