2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Volvo XC60

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid aimed to redefine the minivan's aesthetic appeal. At first glance, it presented a more SUV-like appearance with a wide grille and sleek LED headlamp arrays. The side profile showcased an assertive stance, thanks to the reworked sliding side doors and sculpted body lines. Alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 20 inches filled the arches, enhancing its visual appeal. The rear design managed to look wide and low, maintaining Toyota's high standards of fit and finish. Inside, the Sienna emphasized width with horizontal lines, offering a higher seating position than a sedan. The dashboard was simple and uncluttered, with most controls clustered on the upper part of the center stack. The center console featured a smart bridge design, providing ample storage space. The second and third rows were comfortable for adults, with the second row sliding fore and aft for maximum utility.

Volvo made subtle styling changes to the 2022 XC60, giving it a sportier appearance with a new front fascia and vertical "air blades" on either side of the grille. The rear bumper hid the tailpipes, and new wheel designs were introduced. The front grille was reworked to house sensors for driver-assist systems behind the heated Volvo logo. The interior remained largely unchanged, retaining its clean design with a portrait-oriented touchscreen and minimal clutter. The B6 R-Design test car featured aluminum mesh speaker grilles and textured seats, adding some flair. However, the overall interior seemed subdued compared to other Volvo models. The Inscription trim level offered Nappa leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid was Toyota's first hybrid minivan, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, producing a combined 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on all trim levels. The AWD system used a separate electric motor for the rear wheels, simplifying the mechanical setup. The Sienna used an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which, while maximizing fuel efficiency, tended to blunt throttle response. Four selectable drive modes (Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport) allowed for some customization of the driving experience. Handling was significantly improved over the previous model, thanks to new front and rear suspension systems. The big news was the impressive fuel economy, with FWD models achieving 36 mpg city, highway, and combined, while AWD models were rated at 35/36/35 mpg combined.

For 2022, the Volvo XC60 introduced new B5 and B6 mild-hybrid powertrains, replacing the previous T5 and T6 engines. Both powertrains combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 48-volt electrical system and integrated starter generator, adding 13 horsepower in short bursts. The B6 also featured an electric supercharger. The B5 produced 258 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque, while the B6 offered 295 hp and 310 lb-ft. Both used an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the B5 available in FWD or AWD and the B6 in AWD only. The B5 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds (6.6 seconds with FWD), while the B6 did it in 5.9 seconds. The XC60 excelled in providing a calm, relaxed driving experience, with a quiet cabin and comfortable ride, enhanced by optional air suspension. The XC60 Recharge plug-in hybrid offered 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 5 seconds. The Polestar Engineered version increased output to 415 hp and 494 lb-ft, with a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.9 seconds.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna excelled in convenience functions, essential for a minivan. It featured a standard third-row 60/40-split bench that stored away easily and a second row that slid up to 25 inches for easy access. The cabin boasted 16 cupholders (15 with the spare tire option) and ample storage cubbies. The Sienna could carry a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed, offering 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101.0 cubic feet behind the first row. The 288-volt Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery pack was cleverly tucked under the front seats, not impacting cargo space. Both side sliding doors and the rear tailgate were power-operated, responding to kick motions for easy access.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 remained competitive in passenger space, with above-average front-seat headroom but tied with the Audi Q5 for worst rear-seat headroom. Legroom in both rows was about average for the segment. Mild-hybrid models offered 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 49.8 cubic feet with them folded. Plug-in hybrid models had slightly less cargo capacity, at 21.1 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 49.3 cubic feet with them down. The XC60 provided a commanding driving position with good forward and rear visibility, aided by large exterior mirrors.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna was packed with technology features. A nine-inch touchscreen was standard, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and multiple USB ports. Connectivity included a year's trial of Safety Connect and Remote Connect, a ten-year trial of Service Connect, and a three-month trial of AT&T WiFi Connect. Bluetooth hands-free and audio streaming were standard, with Qi-compatible charging available on higher trims. Audio systems ranged from a six-speaker stereo to a Premium Audio + JBL package with 12 speakers. A rear-seat entertainment system was available, featuring an 11.6-inch 1080p display. The driver enjoyed a color multi-information display, with a 10-inch Head-Up Display available on Platinum models. Limited and Platinum trims could upgrade to a digital rearview mirror.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 received a tech overhaul, featuring a 9-inch touchscreen running the Android Automotive operating system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. The new system included Google Assistant for voice control, Google Maps for navigation, and access to third-party apps via the Google Play Store. Over-the-air software updates were also enabled. The system promised full iPhone compatibility, though without the added functionality of syncing Google profiles. The digital instrument cluster could display a map between the speedometer and tachometer, with a "Calm" setting to minimize distractions.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, pre-collision system with pedestrian and bicyclist detection, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, and road sign assist. The Star Safety System was also standard, featuring enhanced vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology. The Sienna had 10 airbags and LATCH connectors, with a rear-seat reminder system and tire pressure monitoring system. Crash-test ratings for the 2021 model were not yet available, but the 2020 model received high marks from IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 had not yet been rated by IIHS or NHTSA, but the 2021 model received top ratings from both organizations. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, automatic post-collision braking, driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. New features for 2022 included Ready to Drive Notification and Emergency Stop Assist. Volvo's Pilot Assist driver-assistance system was available, combining adaptive cruise control and automated lane centering.