2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Volvo XC40 presented a traditional SUV aesthetic, characterized by its tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, aligning with Volvo's signature design elements like the “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a retro touch with a white contrasting roof. The XC40 Recharge differentiated itself with a blanked-off grille, unique badging, and model-specific alloy wheels, alongside a gloss black roof and mirror caps. Its Sage Green Metallic color was exclusive to the Recharge, which also featured a charging port in place of the fuel filler. The interior boasted a minimalist design with high-quality materials, including real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery, creating a cohesive and premium feel.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid aimed to redefine minivan aesthetics with a more SUV-like appearance. Its wide grille and sleek LED headlamp arrays contributed to a bold stance, while the sculpted sliding side doors added a dynamic touch. The Sienna's exterior was marked by superb fit and finish, with alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 20 inches, depending on the trim. Inside, the Sienna emphasized width with horizontal lines and a higher seating position for a comfortable ride. The dashboard was simple and uncluttered, with a well-designed center console offering ample storage and convenience features. The second and third rows provided comfort and flexibility, with the second row sliding for easy access and configuration.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a diverse powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model at the top. The gasoline variants featured a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base FWD T4 produced 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD T5 delivered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge model shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, boasting dual electric motors for AWD, generating a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft. It utilized a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack, with 75 kWh usable capacity, enabling a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.7 seconds. The XC40 Recharge emphasized luxury and comfort over performance, offering excellent ride quality and one-pedal driving capability. It also had a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid marked Toyota's first hybrid minivan, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, producing a combined 243 horsepower. It came standard with FWD, with AWD available across all trims, achieved through a separate electric motor for the rear wheels. The Sienna utilized an electronically controlled CVT, which, while efficient, offered a less engaging driving experience. It featured four selectable drive modes, with handling improvements from the new TNGA front suspension and independent rear trailing arm suspension. The Sienna Hybrid excelled in fuel efficiency, with FWD models achieving 36 mpg city/highway/combined, and AWD models rated at 35/36/35 mpg.

The 2021 Volvo XC40, both in its Recharge and gasoline variants, offered clever storage solutions despite limited interior space compared to competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. The center console featured a removable trash bin and a bag hook in the glovebox door. The Harman Kardon audio system's speakers were moved to the dashboard, allowing for larger door bins. However, the XC40's cargo area and frunk were smaller than rivals, and second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna excelled in convenience and functionality, with a standard third-row 60/40-split bench that easily stored into the floor. The second row slid up to 25 inches for easy access to the third row. The cabin boasted 16 cupholders 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. Its hybrid battery was cleverly positioned under the front seats, preserving cargo space. Power-operated sliding doors and tailgate with kick-motion activation added to its family-friendly appeal.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, integrating Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. It included a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, with OTA update capability for software-controlled vehicle functions. The Recharge lacked a start button, allowing drivers to simply shift out of park with the key fob present.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna offered a wealth of technology features, with a standard nine-inch touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. It 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. Higher trims offered a Premium Audio + JBL package with 12 speakers and a rear-seat entertainment system. The driver benefited from a color multi-information display and, in Platinum trims, a 10-inch HUD. A digital rearview mirror was available on Limited and Platinum models.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 gasoline model received top safety ratings, including a “Top Safety Pick+” from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. It came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, such as lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. The Recharge model included Volvo’s latest sensor suite, scalable for future driver aids.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, featuring dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, and a pre-collision system. It included 10 airbags and a rear-seat reminder system. While 2021 crash-test ratings were pending, the 2020 Sienna received favorable ratings from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA.