2021 Toyota 4Runner vs 2022 Toyota Sienna

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner, despite its age, maintained a rugged charm that appealed to those seeking a durable and reliable SUV. Its design, unchanged for over a decade, still resonated with buyers who appreciated its timeless styling and utility. The 4Runner's exterior, with its two-box body, flared fenders, and trapezoidal wheel arches, projected a sense of balance and purpose. While not conventionally attractive, its design was functional, much like a well-crafted tool that didn't require frequent updates. Inside, the 4Runner's interior was straightforward, with hard plastic surfaces and an old-school dashboard featuring large knobs and buttons. This simplicity, combined with its off-road capabilities, made it a favourite among those who valued durability over modernity.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Sienna embraced its minivan identity while incorporating SUV-like styling cues. Toyota's commitment to the minivan segment was evident in the Sienna's design, which featured a macho front end and cleverly concealed sliding door channels. The Sienna's assertive profile and available larger wheels gave it a confident stance. Inside, the Sienna offered a spacious and versatile cabin, with clever storage solutions and comfortable seating for all passengers. The interior design avoided the typical minivan feel, providing an uncluttered and family-friendly environment. With its hybrid powertrain and focus on efficiency, the Sienna catered to families seeking practicality and modernity in their vehicle choice.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner was a true off-road enthusiast's dream, equipped with a 4.0-litre V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. Its off-road prowess was enhanced by features like A-Trac, a standard off-road traction control system, and optional packages that added a locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select, and Crawl Control. These features allowed the 4Runner to tackle challenging terrains with ease. However, on paved roads, the 4Runner felt slow and cumbersome, with heavy steering and brakes. Its body-on-frame construction contributed to its truck-like driving characteristics, which some found charming but others might find less appealing for daily use. Fuel efficiency was a concern, with an average consumption of 14.0 L/100 km during testing, resulting in frequent stops at the gas station.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, offered a more refined driving experience with its hybrid powertrain. Combining a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, the Sienna delivered 243 horsepower. The hybrid system provided smooth and efficient power delivery through an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Sienna's handling was surprisingly agile for a minivan, thanks to its Toyota Next Generation Architecture (TNGA) platform. Fuel efficiency was a standout feature, with FWD models achieving 6.6 L/100 km in combined driving, making it an economical choice for families. The Sienna's hybrid system also included selectable drive modes, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience to their preferences.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with ample legroom and supportive seats for both front and rear passengers. Its high ground clearance provided excellent visibility, but shorter passengers might have found it challenging to climb aboard without running boards. The 4Runner's cargo space was generous, with up to 1,337 litres behind the rear seats and 2,540 litres with the seats folded down. The interior storage was decent, and the back bumper served as a convenient spot for various activities. However, the 4Runner's interior materials leaned towards hard plastics, reflecting its utilitarian nature.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior space and versatility, making it a family-friendly choice. It could accommodate a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed, showcasing its practicality. The sliding second-row seats added flexibility for loading cargo, and the third-row bench easily stored away into the floor. 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 Sienna also offered power-operated sliding doors and a rear liftgate, enhancing convenience for busy families. Interior storage was abundant, with numerous cubbies and cupholders throughout the cabin.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner, particularly in the entry-level Trail grade, offered basic technology features. It came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. While the system was functional, it lacked the sophistication of more modern setups. The 4Runner's infotainment system included physical shortcut buttons and knobs, making it easy to use even with gloves. However, the Trail grade lacked advanced features like wireless connectivity and navigation upgrades, which were available in higher trims.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Sienna boasted a wealth of technology features. A 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system was standard across all grades, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. While wireless connectivity was absent, the Sienna included a range of telematics services, such as Safety Connect and Remote Connect. Higher trims offered a 12-speaker JBL audio system and a rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. The Sienna also featured a digital rearview mirror and a colour multi-information display, enhancing convenience and safety for drivers.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. However, it lacked blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning, which were notable omissions. The 4Runner received mixed safety ratings, with a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA and a "Marginal" rating for driver protection in a small overlap frontal-impact collision from the IIHS.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, excelled in safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included adaptive cruise control, Lane Tracing Assist, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. Blind spot monitoring was standard, along with 10 airbags and multiple LATCH connectors for child seats. The Sienna also included a rear-seat reminder system and tire-pressure monitoring for added safety.