2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid aimed to redefine the minivan's aesthetic appeal, traditionally not known for its style. Toyota's designers infused the Sienna with SUV-like styling, featuring a wide grille and sleek LED headlamp arrays that integrated seamlessly with the Toyota logo. The side profile boasted an assertive stance, with re-engineered sliding doors that added a sculpted look, complemented by alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 20 inches. The rear design maintained a wide and low appearance, with Toyota's renowned fit and finish. Inside, the Sienna emphasized width with horizontal lines, offering a higher seating position than a sedan 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 adults, making the Sienna a practical choice for families.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Passport shared its platform with the Ridgeline pickup, Odyssey minivan, and Pilot SUV, resulting in a familiar design. The Passport's new nose aimed for a tougher look, with the TrailSport trim adding off-road appeal through design rather than capability. The TrailSport featured unique 18-inch alloy wheels, a roof rack, and skid plates, enhancing its SUV appearance. Inside, the Passport offered one of the largest interiors in its class, with quality materials and careful assembly. The TrailSport trim added orange contrast stitching and ambient lighting, while the spacious interior provided comfort for passengers, making it a suitable choice for road trips and daily commutes.

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 Sienna utilized an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT), which, while efficient, lacked the punch of a conventional transmission. The Sienna's handling improved with new front suspension and steering, offering a comfortable ride. Fuel efficiency was a highlight, with FWD models rated at 6.6 L/100 km in the city and 6.5 L/100 km on the highway, while AWD models achieved 6.8 L/100 km city and 6.6 L/100 km highway.

The 2022 Honda Passport retained its 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD in Canada. The V6 provided smooth acceleration, and the Passport's i-VTM4 AWD system offered mechanical torque vectoring, enhancing traction. The Passport's fuel efficiency was rated at 11.3 L/100 km combined, with the TrailSport trim averaging 11.0 L/100 km. While the Passport excelled on roads, its off-road capabilities were limited, and the brakes showed signs of strain on mountain descents. Despite these drawbacks, the Passport offered a firm ride and agile handling, making it a competent choice for everyday driving.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna excelled in convenience, with a standard third-row 60/40-split bench that folded into the floor. The second row slid up to 63.5 cm, providing flexible legroom and easy access to the third row. The cabin featured 16 cupholders and ample storage, while the Sienna's cargo capacity accommodated a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood. Cargo space measured 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, and the power-operated sliding doors and liftgate added family-friendly convenience.

The 2022 Honda Passport offered easy access with large doors and a low step-in height. The front seats were comfortable, with leather upholstery and heated features, while the TrailSport trim added heated rear seats. The Passport's triple-zone climate control system ensured comfort for all passengers, and the spacious second row provided ample room. Storage was abundant, with a large centre console and door panel shelving. The Passport's cargo space was generous, with 1,430 litres behind the rear seat and 2,854 litres with the seat folded down, making it a practical choice for families and adventurers alike.

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

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The TrailSport trim added satellite radio, while the Touring trim featured a navigation system and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The Passport's infotainment system was functional but lacked advanced features, with wireless smartphone charging available on all but the base trim. While the system met basic needs, it was not as technologically advanced as some competitors, which could be a drawback for tech-savvy consumers.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering features like adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, and a pre-collision system. The Star Safety System included enhanced vehicle stability control and traction control, while blind spot monitoring and 10 airbags provided additional safety. 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 front and rollover resistance.

The 2022 Honda Passport featured Honda Sensing, with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring and a rear-seat reminder system. While effective, the Passport's driver-assist tech lacked refinement, with lane-departure warning and lane-centring assist drawing negative attention. The Passport received five-star ratings from NHTSA, except for front passenger protection and rollover resistance, which earned four stars. The IIHS rated the Passport highly, though it received an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.