2022 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a highly anticipated addition to the Ford lineup, serving as a smaller sibling to the iconic Bronco. It drew inspiration from the classic 1966-1996 Bronco, aiming to compete with rugged models like the Jeep Wrangler and Toyota 4Runner. However, the Bronco Sport was designed as a unibody crossover, focusing more on urban and suburban environments while still catering to weekend adventurers. Its design featured a modern retro aesthetic, reminiscent of Land Rover vehicles, with short front and rear overhangs for improved off-road capability. The vehicle's exterior was marked by bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, with a modest Ford badge on the tailgate.

Inside, the Bronco Sport offered a rugged yet tasteful interior, with a unique design for the HVAC vents and an 8-inch infotainment screen. The interior trim varied across models, with options ranging from cloth to leather-trimmed heated seats. The vehicle also provided practical features like a rotary gear selector and multiple storage cubbies. The Bronco Sport's wheel options varied by trim, with sizes ranging from 17 to 18 inches, and the interior was designed to accommodate active lifestyles with features like a rubberized cargo floor and second-row seat protector.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, embraced its minivan identity while incorporating SUV-like styling elements. Toyota had a long history with minivans, and the Sienna continued this tradition with its fourth-generation model. The Sienna's design featured a macho front end and cleverly concealed sliding door channels, giving it a more assertive profile. The interior was designed to avoid the typical minivan feel, offering ample storage and seating options for families. The Sienna's second-row seats could slide significantly, providing easy access to the third row, and the third-row bench could be easily stowed into the floor.

The Sienna's interior was equipped with numerous storage compartments and cupholders, making it a practical choice for families. The power-operated sliding doors and rear liftgate added convenience, especially when carrying groceries or children. The Sienna's cargo capacity was impressive, with the ability to accommodate a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. Overall, the Sienna was designed to be a versatile family vehicle with a focus on practicality and comfort.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine options, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims featured a 1.5-litre EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands model, on the other hand, was equipped with a more powerful 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder engine, delivering 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. The Bronco Sport's terrain management system included up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, enhancing its off-road capabilities.

Off-road, the Bronco Sport impressed with its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance, making it well-suited for trail driving. On-road, the vehicle exhibited good manners, with the 2.0-litre engine providing a more refined driving experience compared to the 1.5-litre engine, which could feel strained under heavy acceleration.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna, in contrast, featured a hybrid powertrain as standard, combining a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on most trims. The Sienna's hybrid system utilized an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT) for smooth and efficient power delivery. The vehicle offered four selectable drive modes, including Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport.

The Sienna's handling was surprisingly good for a minivan, thanks to its Toyota Next Generation Architecture (TNGA) platform, which provided a comfortable and stable ride. The hybrid powertrain delivered impressive fuel efficiency, with Natural Resources Canada estimating consumption at 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres for front-wheel-drive models and 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres for all-wheel-drive models. The Sienna's hybrid battery pack was located under the front seats, and it came with a 10-year/240,000-kilometre warranty.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was designed with active buyers in mind, offering clever features for outdoor enthusiasts. The cargo space was engineered to accommodate two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes, and Ford provided a wide range of accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could support up to 68 kilograms, and the vehicle's towing capacity varied between 907 and 997 kilograms, depending on the engine. The cargo area featured a flip-up rear glass and an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table and liftgate floodlamps.

Inside, the Bronco Sport offered ample storage compartments, including large door pockets and multiple cubbies. However, some drivers found the driving position challenging, with limited visibility due to the roof overhang and hood bulges. The seating position could also be improved for better off-road visibility.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior space and versatility, making it an ideal family vehicle. It could accommodate a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed, and the sliding second row added flexibility for loading cargo. The Sienna's cargo capacity was impressive, with 949 litres behind the third row, 2,129 litres behind the second row, and 2,860 litres behind the first row. The vehicle's towing capacity was 1,585 kilograms.

The Sienna's interior featured a standard 60/40-split third-row bench that could be easily stowed into the floor. Each row had ample storage cubbies and cupholders, and the power-operated sliding doors and rear liftgate added convenience. The Sienna's design prioritized practicality and ease of use for families.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was equipped with the latest infotainment technology, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with SYNC 3, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and available SiriusXM. FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was standard, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system was available on higher trims. The Bronco Sport's terrain management system offered multiple drive modes, and trail control technology provided additional off-road assistance.

The Bronco Sport also included intelligent access with push-button start on most trims, and higher trims offered heated and leather-wrapped steering wheels. The digital instrument panel varied by trim, with a 6.5-inch display on higher models.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna boasted a wealth of standard and available technology features. A 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system was standard, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and multiple USB ports. However, the Sienna lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The vehicle offered telematics services, Bluetooth connectivity, and optional Qi wireless phone charging.

Audio systems ranged from a six-speaker setup on the base model to a 12-speaker JBL system on higher trims. A rear-seat entertainment system was available, featuring an 11.6-inch display and wireless headphones. The Sienna also offered a digital rearview mirror on select trims, providing a clear view of the road behind.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and a reversing camera. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and navigation features. The Bronco Sport's all-wheel drive and terrain management system contributed to its safety, and it received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite, which included adaptive cruise control, lane centring, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Sienna also featured the Star Safety System, 10 airbags, and multiple LATCH connectors for child seats. The vehicle received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, and it included a rear-seat reminder system and tire-pressure monitoring.