2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Acura RDX

The 2021 Toyota Sienna aimed to redefine the minivan aesthetic, traditionally not known for its style. With its SUV-like styling, the Sienna presented a wide grille and sleek LED headlamp arrays, giving it a modern and assertive stance. The redesigned sliding side doors featured a sculpted look, enhancing the vehicle's overall appeal. Alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 20 inches added to its visual charm, while the rear design 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, providing ample storage and convenience features, while the second and third-row seats offered flexibility and comfort for passengers.

In contrast, the 2022 Acura RDX showcased subtle styling changes inspired by its larger sibling, the MDX. The RDX featured updated grille surrounds, bumper styling, and new wheel designs, with the PMC Edition standing out in exclusive Long Beach Blue Pearl paint. The interior boasted high-quality materials and a quieter cabin, enhancing the overall driving experience. The RDX's sporty driving position and dramatic dashboard design, including the oversized IDS driving mode knob, added to its appeal. However, the control layout required some acclimation, with the True Touchpad Interface infotainment system being notably different from traditional touchscreens. Despite this, the RDX offered comfortable front seats and a spacious cargo area, making it a practical choice for everyday use.

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. The Sienna offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options, with the latter utilizing a separate electric motor for the rear wheels. The electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) provided smooth power delivery, though it lacked the punch of a conventional transmission. The Sienna's handling was improved with new suspension systems, offering a comfortable ride with minimal body roll. Fuel efficiency was a highlight, with FWD models rated at 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 6.5 on the highway, while AWD models achieved slightly higher figures.

The 2022 Acura RDX, on the other hand, featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder VTEC engine, delivering 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters provided a responsive driving experience, complemented by Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. This torque-vectoring AWD system enhanced the RDX's agility, especially on winding roads. The revised Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) offered distinct driving modes, while the adaptive-damping suspension improved ride comfort and responsiveness. Despite its performance-oriented features, the RDX's fuel efficiency was less impressive, averaging 11.4 L/100 km during testing.

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 flexible legroom, sliding up to 63.5 centimetres, and the cabin featured ample storage cubbies and cupholders, totalling 16. The Sienna's cargo capacity was impressive, accommodating a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. Nominal 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 added to the Sienna's family-friendly features.

The 2022 Acura RDX, while a compact SUV, offered generous space for four adults and their luggage, with a standard panoramic sunroof enhancing the cabin's openness. The interior design emphasized a sporty driving position, though the control layout required some adjustment. The RDX's back seat, while spacious, lacked support, prioritizing a flat cargo load floor when folded. The power liftgate revealed 835 litres of cargo space, with additional hidden storage compartments beneath the load floor. Folding the back seat expanded the cargo area to 1,668 litres, making the RDX a practical choice for everyday use.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna was equipped with a nine-inch touchscreen, offering standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, along with available SiriusXM and multiple USB ports. Connectivity features included Safety Connect, Remote Connect, and Service Connect, with Bluetooth hands-free and audio streaming standard across all trims. Higher trims offered a Premium Audio + JBL package with 12 speakers and a rear-seat entertainment system. The driver benefited from a colour multi-information display and a digital rearview mirror on select models, enhancing convenience and safety.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system, pairing a 10.2-inch display with a touchpad controller. While the system required acclimation, it offered a direct one-to-one relationship between touchpad and screen. The RDX included Amazon Alexa Built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an available wireless charging pad. Three premium sound systems were available, with the top-tier ELS Studio 3D surround-sound audio system offering 16 speakers. The RDX also featured a 10.5-inch head-up display on higher trims, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering features like dynamic radar adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. The Star Safety System and blind spot monitoring were also standard, along with 10 airbags and LATCH connectors for child seats. The Sienna 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 2022 Acura RDX received structural upgrades for improved side-impact safety, maintaining its Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. New safety features included a rear seatbelt reminder system and enhanced AcuraWatch driver-assist systems. The RDX's adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist systems were generally accurate, though not as refined as some competitors. The NHTSA awarded the RDX a five-star overall crash-test rating, with four-star frontal-impact and rollover resistance ratings.