2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Hyundai Kona

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid aimed to redefine the minivan aesthetic, traditionally not known for its style. With SUV-like styling, the Sienna featured a wide grille and sleek LED headlamp arrays, giving it a modern and assertive stance. The redesigned sliding side doors added a sculpted look, enhancing its overall appeal. Alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 20 inches complemented the exterior, while the rear maintained a wide and low appearance. Inside, the Sienna emphasized width with horizontal lines, offering a comfortable seating position and a simple, uncluttered dashboard. The centre console was thoughtfully designed with ample storage, and the second and third-row seats provided flexibility and comfort for passengers.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona presented a funky and youthful design, appealing to a younger audience. Its front end was busy with multiple lighting features, while the rear offered a more subdued crossover shape. Inside, the Kona maintained a playful yet organized atmosphere, with neat seat patterns and standard cloth upholstery. Higher trims offered leather options. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a high-mounted touchscreen and intuitive controls, making it easy to navigate the compact interior.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid marked Toyota's first hybrid minivan, featuring a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, producing a combined 243 horsepower. It offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options, with the latter using a separate electric motor for the rear wheels. The Sienna utilized an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT), which, while efficient, slightly dulled throttle response. It featured four selectable drive modes and improved handling with new suspension systems. Fuel efficiency was a highlight, with FWD models rated at 6.6 L/100 km city and 6.5 L/100 km highway, while AWD models achieved 6.8 L/100 km city and 6.6 L/100 km highway.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona offered two powertrain options: a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with 195 horsepower. The base engine came with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the turbo engine featured a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The Kona's handling was agile and engaging, providing a fun driving experience. Fuel efficiency varied, with the base engine and FWD achieving 8.6/7.0/7.9 L/100 km city/highway/combined, while the turbo engine with AWD returned 9.0/8.0/8.6 L/100 km.

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 offered 63.5 cm of sliding space, enhancing legroom and accessibility. The cabin featured ample storage, including 16 cupholders, and could accommodate a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood. Cargo space was flexible, with 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 liftgate added to its family-friendly features.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona provided decent front-seat headroom and legroom, with controls easily accessible. The rear seats offered good headroom but limited legroom, and large rear-facing car seats could pose challenges. Cargo space was limited compared to competitors, though rear seats could fold to increase capacity. Small-item storage was generous, with large door pockets and a spacious centre console area.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna was equipped with a nine-inch touchscreen, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and multiple USB ports. Higher trims offered additional features like Qi-compatible charging, a 1500-watt inverter, and a Premium Audio + JBL package. A rear-seat entertainment system was available, and the driver benefited from a multi-information display and digital rearview mirror. Remote keyless entry and push-button start were standard, with upgrades available on higher trims.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona featured an eight-inch infotainment system with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and USB inputs. Available upgrades included SiriusXM radio, navigation, and a Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment software was user-friendly, with a colourful and responsive interface. The 10.25-inch system, however, did not support wireless smartphone connectivity.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, and pre-collision systems. It featured 10 airbags, blind spot monitoring, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Sienna received a "Top Safety Pick+" from IIHS and a Five-Star Overall Rating from NHTSA.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona earned a Top Safety Pick from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. Standard safety features included forward-collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. Optional upgrades included lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and parking sensors.