2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Cadillac XT5

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid aimed to redefine the minivan's aesthetic appeal, traditionally not known for its style. Toyota's designers gave the Sienna a more SUV-like appearance, with a wide grille and sleek LED headlamp arrays that integrated seamlessly with the Toyota logo. The side profile featured an assertive stance, with redesigned sliding doors that added a sculpted look, thanks to re-engineered hinges and slides. Alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 20 inches filled the arches, enhancing its visual appeal. The rear design maintained a wide and low look, complemented by Toyota's renowned fit and finish quality. Inside, the Sienna emphasized width with horizontal lines, offering a higher seating position than a sedan but not quite as commanding as a full-size SUV. The dashboard was simple and uncluttered, with controls conveniently placed. The centre console featured a bridge design, providing ample storage space, while the leather-wrapped steering wheel and quality materials added to the interior's appeal. The second and third-row seats were comfortable for adults, with the second row offering flexible configurations for maximum utility.

In contrast, the 2021 Cadillac XT5 showcased Cadillac's efforts to reclaim its status as a refined luxury brand. The XT5's exterior featured a snub-nosed design with distinct trim level differentiation and standard LED lights that highlighted its robust proportions. The interior, while not entirely luxurious, offered a more upscale design than its GM sibling, the Chevrolet Blazer. The cabin featured sweeping horizontal lines and straightforward materials, creating a chic and elegant atmosphere. The Premium Luxury trim level exuded elegance with cut and sewn leather, natural wood, and carbon fibre accents. Despite some shortcomings in comfort during extended trips, the XT5's interior design and styling were a testament to Cadillac's commitment to refinement.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid marked Toyota's first foray into hybrid minivans, featuring a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, producing a combined 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive was standard, with an all-wheel-drive option available across all trims. The AWD system utilized a separate electric motor for the rear wheels, delivering 54 hp and 89 lb-ft of torque. The Sienna employed an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which, while efficient, lacked the punch of a conventional transmission. The Sienna offered four selectable drive modes, with handling improvements thanks to new suspension and steering systems. Fuel efficiency was a highlight, with FWD models achieving 6.6 L/100 km in the city and 6.5 L/100 km on the highway, while AWD models were slightly less efficient.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered three trim levels: Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport. The Luxury and Premium Luxury trims came with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. An optional 3.6-litre V6 engine, standard on the Sport trim, produced 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, which was smooth when upshifting but less refined when downshifting. The XT5's throttle response was immediate with the V6, though it could benefit from more low-end torque. Fuel efficiency varied, with the AWD V6 achieving 9.4 L/100 km during testing, better than the estimated 11.2 L/100 km. The base engine offered 9.5 L/100 km with FWD and 10.1 L/100 km with AWD. The XT5's handling was commendable, providing a comfortable and confident driving experience.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna excelled in convenience and functionality, with a standard third-row 60/40-split bench that easily stored away. The second row offered 63.5 cm of sliding capability, enhancing legroom and accessibility. The cabin featured ample storage, with 16 cupholders and bottle holders in all four side doors. The Sienna's cargo capacity was impressive, accommodating a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. Cargo measurements were 949 litres behind the third row, 2,129 litres behind the second row, and 2,860 litres behind the first row. The hybrid battery was cleverly positioned under the front seats, preserving cargo space. Power-operated sliding doors and a rear liftgate with kick-motion activation added to its family-friendly features.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered seating for four adults in two rows, with a three-seat bench in the second row. While legroom was adequate, headroom was limited for taller passengers. The front seats, though visually appealing, lacked comfort on long journeys. Heated front seats were standard, with available heated and ventilated options. The XT5 provided 850 litres of cargo space, though wheel bump-outs reduced width. A cargo-management system allowed for secure storage, and a hands-free programmable height power liftgate was available. Small-item storage was limited, with no ideal smartphone placement and small map pockets.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna boasted a wealth of technology features, including a standard nine-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. It offered a year's trial of Safety Connect and Remote Connect, along with Bluetooth hands-free and audio streaming. Higher trims included Qi-compatible charging and a 1500-watt inverter. 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 display. The driver enjoyed a colour multi-information display, with a digital rearview mirror on higher trims. Remote keyless entry and push-button start were standard, with the Smart Key System on higher trims.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 featured a streamlined infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen housed in Piano Black plastic. The tri-zone automatic climate control used a chrome toggle switch, though it often ran colder than displayed. A heated steering wheel was standard, with available heated rear seats. The XT5 included a rotary controller for infotainment navigation, though it crowded the screen's aesthetics. Standard features included an eight-speaker Bose sound system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. A rear camera mirror was available, proving useful at night. The digital instrument cluster provided essential information, with an optional head-up display.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, and automatic high beams. The Star Safety System included enhanced vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and more. The Sienna had 10 airbags and LATCH connectors for child seats. A tire pressure monitoring system was standard, with an inflator kit included. The 2020 Sienna received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a Five-Star Overall Rating from NHTSA.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered a range of safety features, including front automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change alert with side blind-zone alert. Not all features were standard across trims. The XT5's Night Vision technology enhanced nighttime drivability, though it had limitations. General Motors' Teen Driver software allowed parents to monitor and limit vehicle features for young drivers.