2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Subaru Crosstrek

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 headlamps, giving it a modern and assertive stance. The redesigned sliding side doors, with a sculpted body line, added to its appeal. Alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 20 inches enhanced its look, 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 comfort and flexibility for passengers.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek took inspiration from the Impreza hatchback, adding rugged crossover elements like black body cladding and a taller ride height. This gave the Crosstrek a more SUV-like appearance, with 22 centimetres of ground clearance. The Crosstrek's design allowed it to stand out with vibrant colour options like Plasma Yellow Pearl. Inside, the Crosstrek retained the Impreza's functional but plain interior, with some unique touches like water-repellant upholstery. While the interior space was competitive, the Crosstrek's compact size limited its cargo capacity compared to some rivals. The driving position was higher than the Impreza's, offering good visibility, though it didn't provide the commanding view of larger SUVs.

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 employed an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT), which prioritized fuel efficiency over throttle response. The Sienna's handling improved with new suspension systems, and it boasted impressive fuel efficiency ratings, with FWD models achieving 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 6.5 on the highway.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek introduced a new 2.5-litre boxer-four engine for the Outdoor and Limited trims, delivering 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. Other trims continued with the 2.0-litre engine, producing 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. The Crosstrek's boxer engine design contributed to a lower centre of gravity, enhancing handling. While a six-speed manual transmission was available with the 2.0-litre engine, most buyers opted for the CVT. All trims featured standard all-wheel drive, with X-Mode for improved traction on loose surfaces. Despite its SUV-like stance, the Crosstrek's handling remained predictable, though the higher centre of gravity resulted in increased body roll.

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 centimetres of sliding range, enhancing legroom flexibility. The cabin featured 16 cupholders and ample storage cubbies, while the Sienna's cargo capacity accommodated a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood. Cargo measurements included 949 litres behind the third row, 2,129 litres behind the second row, and 2,860 litres behind the first row. The Sienna's hybrid battery was cleverly positioned under the front seats, preserving cargo space. Power-operated sliding doors and a rear liftgate added to its family-friendly features.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek shared interior dimensions with the Impreza hatchback, offering competitive passenger space but limited cargo capacity. With 588 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 1,565 litres with them folded, the Crosstrek lagged behind some rivals. The CVT-equipped models featured a rear-seat reminder to prevent leaving children or pets unattended. Up front, a cubby hole with USB and auxiliary ports provided convenient phone storage, though rear-seat passengers had limited access to USB ports. The Crosstrek's driving position was higher than the Impreza's, offering good visibility, but it didn't provide the commanding view of larger SUVs.

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 range of connectivity options, including Safety Connect, Remote Connect, and Service Connect. Higher trims featured a Premium Audio + JBL package with 12 speakers and a rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. The driver enjoyed a colour multi-information display, with digital rearview mirrors available on select trims. Remote keyless entry and push-button start were standard, with the Smart Key System on higher trims.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek featured Subaru's Starlink infotainment system, with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. Higher trims received an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation. The Crosstrek's infotainment system included a second screen above the main touchscreen, displaying redundant information. The system was user-friendly, with large analog knobs and buttons for essential functions. EyeSight driver-assistance features were controlled via steering wheel buttons, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. The Sienna also featured the Star Safety System, blind spot monitoring, and 10 airbags. It received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a Five-Star Overall Rating from NHTSA, though it received four stars for front and rollover resistance.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek earned a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, with five stars in side crash tests and four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests. The IIHS awarded it a "Top Safety Pick" rating, contingent on models equipped with EyeSight driver-assist features. EyeSight included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The Crosstrek's safety features were effective, though the positioning of EyeSight's cameras limited functionality in certain conditions.