2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Land Rover Defender

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid aimed to redefine the minivan's aesthetic, 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, enhancing the vehicle's overall appeal. Alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 20 inches complemented the design, while the rear maintained a wide and low appearance, characteristic of Toyota's superb fit and finish. Inside, the Sienna emphasized width with horizontal lines, offering a higher seating position than a sedan, though not quite reaching the command seating of a full-size SUV. The dashboard was simple and uncluttered, with controls conveniently placed. The centre console featured a bridge design, providing ample storage space, and the leather-wrapped steering wheel added a touch of luxury. The second and third-row seats were comfortable for adults, with the second row offering flexibility for maximum utility and comfort.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its distinctive boxy profile, reminiscent of the original version and classic Series Land Rovers. While the exterior design paid homage to its heritage, it was thoroughly modern, with rounded corners for improved aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights that gave it a unique personality. The modern Defender was larger, offering more interior space and better ergonomics. Inside, the Defender balanced rugged character with modern comfort, featuring a mix of leather and suede upholstery that was both stylish and practical. The interior design included bare metal and exposed screws, adding to its rugged appeal. The Defender 90 V8 test car showcased a blend of luxury and durability, making it suitable for off-road adventures without compromising on interior quality.

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 utilizing a separate electric motor for the rear wheels. The Sienna employed an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT), which, while efficient, slightly dulled throttle response. The vehicle featured four selectable drive modes, enhancing its versatility. The Sienna's handling was significantly improved, thanks to the new TNGA front suspension and independent rear trailing arm suspension. Fuel efficiency was a highlight, with FWD models achieving 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 6.5 on the highway, while AWD models were slightly less efficient.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, including a base 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower and a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain with 395 horsepower. The standout option was the new V8 engine, delivering 518 horsepower and 461 lb-ft of torque, propelling the Defender 90 from zero to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds. All models featured a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The V8 model included an electronic active rear differential and unique suspension tuning for sportier handling. Despite its off-road capabilities, the Defender was comfortable on pavement, with a suspension that absorbed bumps effectively. The Defender's off-road prowess was supported by features like a 4WD system with low range and the optional Terrain Response 2 system.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna excelled in convenience, with a standard third-row 60/40-split bench that folded into the floor. The second row offered 63.5 centimetres of sliding range, enhancing legroom and accessibility. The cabin featured ample storage, with 16 cupholders and bottle holders in all four side doors. The Sienna's cargo capacity was impressive, accommodating a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. 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 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 2022 Land Rover Defender offered 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, with the Defender 90 model providing surprising comfort despite limited cargo space. The four-door Defender 110 model offered more versatility, with two-row and three-row configurations. Cargo space varied, with three-row models offering 160 litres with all seats in place and up to 1,826 litres with seats folded. The interior design emphasized functionality, with a large centre-console storage bin and optional refrigeration. Land Rover also offered optional exterior cargo solutions, such as a roof rack and side-mounted cargo boxes.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna featured a nine-inch touchscreen with standard 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 varied by trim, with a Premium Audio + JBL package available. A rear-seat entertainment system was also offered, featuring an 11.6-inch display. The driver enjoyed a colour multi-information display and a digital rearview mirror on higher trims. Remote keyless entry and push-button start were standard, with upgrades available on higher trims.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came with the Pivi Pro infotainment system, featuring a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on most trims, with an optional 11.4-inch touchscreen. The interface was user-friendly, though the screen required a firm touch. A surround-view camera system was standard, with optional features like a 14-speaker Meridian audio system and head-up display.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, and a pre-collision system. The Star Safety System and blind spot monitoring were standard, along with 10 airbags and LATCH connectors. The Sienna received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a Five-Star Overall Rating from NHTSA.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered standard driver-assist features like lane-keep assist and automatic emergency braking. Adaptive cruise control was optional. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available for the Defender, which is common for luxury vehicles.