2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Subaru Ascent

The 2021 Toyota Sienna aimed to redefine the minivan aesthetic with its SUV-like styling. It featured a wide grille and sleek LED headlamp arrays that integrated seamlessly with the Toyota logo, giving it a modern and assertive stance. The sliding side doors were re-engineered for a sculpted look, enhancing the vehicle's overall appeal. Alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 20 inches added to its stylish 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 cupholders, while the second and third-row seats provided comfort and flexibility for passengers.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent introduced the Onyx Edition, which featured a blacked-out exterior trim and badges, giving it a sporty appearance. The interior boasted a gray two-tone scheme with StarTex synthetic leather, although it had a tendency to trap sweat. The dashboard and door panels featured metallic trim, creating a modern atmosphere. The Ascent's interior was designed for practicality, with wide rear doors and available captain's chairs for easy access. The panoramic sunroof and rear-side window shades added to the comfort of passengers. However, the third-row seats were best suited for children, as taller adults found them less comfortable.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid was Toyota's first hybrid minivan, featuring a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine combined with two electric motors, producing 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's electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT) provided smooth power delivery, although it lacked the punch of a conventional transmission. The Sienna excelled in fuel efficiency, 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 Subaru Ascent came equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. Its CVT featured eight programmed ratios and manual shift control, enhancing the driving experience. The Ascent's towing capacity reached up to 2,270 kilograms, making it a versatile choice for those needing to tow. Subaru's X-Mode off-road traction control system and 22 centimetres of ground clearance provided off-roading capability. The Ascent's handling was nimble, although its lane-keeping and lane-centring assistance technologies sometimes created an uncertain feel.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna excelled in convenience and cargo handling. It featured a standard third-row 60/40-split bench that easily stored away, while the second row slid up to 63.5 centimetres for flexible legroom. The cabin offered ample storage, with 16 cupholders and bottle holders in all four side doors. The Sienna could carry a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed, and its cargo space ranged from 949 litres behind the third row to 2,860 litres behind the first row. The hybrid battery was cleverly tucked under the front seats, preserving cargo space.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent accommodated up to eight passengers, although the third row was best suited for children. The Ascent's interior featured triple-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a wiper de-icer, making it ready for winter weather. The second-row seats were easy to access, and captain's chairs were available on most trims. The Ascent offered 458 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,061 litres with both rows folded down. The base model without the panoramic sunroof had slightly higher cargo figures.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna offered a nine-inch touchscreen with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. It included a year’s trial of Safety Connect and Remote Connect, along with Bluetooth hands-free and audio streaming. Higher trims featured a Premium Audio + JBL package with 12 speakers and a rear-seat entertainment system. The driver enjoyed a colour multi-information display and a digital rearview mirror on select trims. Remote keyless entry and push-button start were standard, with the Smart Key System available on higher trims.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent's base trim featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. The Touring trim added an 8-inch display with Starlink connected services. The system's voice recognition technology needed improvement, and the Onyx Edition's standard stereo speakers lacked sonic quality. Additional technology features, such as a digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree-view front camera, were reserved for the Premier trim level.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, and a pre-collision system. It also featured 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.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent earned a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and five-star crash-test ratings from NHTSA. It featured Subaru's EyeSight driver-assist technology, which included adaptive cruise control and lane-centring technology. However, EyeSight's performance was affected by direct sunlight, and its adaptive cruise control lacked refinement. Additional safety features included steering responsive LED headlights and blind-spot monitoring on higher trims.