2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

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, with a sculpted body line, added to its appeal, while alloy wheels in various sizes enhanced its look. 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.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 embraced a rugged SUV look, with boxy fender flares and a scowling front end, setting it apart from other compact crossovers. The RAV4's design was aggressive for a family car, but its mechanical underpinnings were more conventional, sharing the TNGA platform with other Toyota models. The interior featured rugged styling touches, such as large rubberized knobs and door handles, but material quality didn't elevate with higher trims. The TRD Off-Road model added unique features like matte black wheels and red interior accents, enhancing its adventurous appeal.

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. 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 a CVT, which, while efficient, lacked the punch of a conventional transmission. It boasted impressive fuel efficiency, with FWD models rated at 6.6 L/100 km in the city and 6.5 on the highway, while AWD models achieved 6.8 city and 6.6 highway.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 came with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the engine was efficient, achieving 40% thermal efficiency, the transmission struggled to keep up, leading to a less dynamic driving experience. The RAV4 offered a "Sport" mode, but it only added weight to the steering. Off-road capabilities were enhanced in the Trail and TRD Off-Road models, with features like torque-vectoring AWD and increased ground clearance, but the RAV4's on-road dynamics remained ordinary.

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, providing flexible legroom and easy access to the third row. The Sienna's cargo capacity was impressive, accommodating a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. It offered 949 litres of cargo space behind the third row, 2,129 litres behind the second row, and 2,860 litres behind the first row. The hybrid battery was cleverly tucked under the front seats, preserving cargo space.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 provided competitive headroom and visibility, but legroom was slightly behind competitors. The front seats were comfortable, but the rear seats had flat cushions, making long trips less appealing. Cargo space was above average, with 1,059 litres behind the rear seats and 1,977 litres with them folded. The RAV4's interior featured oversized knobs and controls, but lacked large cupholders and storage space on the console. The cargo area had a wide aperture, but the lip was higher than some competitors, making loading slightly more challenging.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna was packed with technology, featuring a standard nine-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. It offered a range of connectivity options, including Safety Connect and Remote Connect trials, Bluetooth, and Qi-compatible charging. Audio systems ranged from a six-speaker stereo to a Premium Audio + JBL package with 12 speakers. A rear-seat entertainment system was available, with an 11.6-inch display and wireless headphones. The driver enjoyed tech features like a multi-information display and a digital rearview mirror.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with most trims featuring a 7-inch touchscreen, while higher trims offered an 8-inch screen. The infotainment system was user-friendly but not flashy, with easy-to-read graphics and shortcut buttons. The RAV4 lacked a head-up display, available only on the RAV4 Prime. While the infotainment system was simple, it didn't offer much to excite tech-savvy buyers, focusing instead on ease of use.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering features like adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, and a pre-collision system. It also included the Star Safety System and blind spot monitoring. The Sienna had 10 airbags and LATCH connectors for child seats. It received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a Five-Star Overall Rating from NHTSA, though it scored four stars for frontal and rollover resistance.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention. However, it missed the highest rating due to mixed headlight scores. NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The RAV4 included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, with features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. A 360-degree camera system was available in certain packages.