2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Volvo XC60

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 flexibility and comfort for passengers.

In contrast, the 2022 Volvo XC60 received subtle styling updates, including a new front fascia with "air blades" and a reworked grille that housed driver-assist sensors. The rear bumper was redesigned to hide the tailpipes, and new wheel designs were introduced. The interior remained largely unchanged, maintaining its clean design with a portrait-oriented touchscreen. The XC60 Inscription trim offered Nappa leather upholstery, while the R-Design featured aluminum mesh speaker grilles and textured seats. Despite these enhancements, the interior felt subdued compared to other Volvo models, but it retained a sense of understated luxury.

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, delivering 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 employed an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT), which prioritized fuel efficiency over throttle response. It boasted impressive fuel efficiency ratings, 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 Volvo XC60 introduced new B5 and B6 mild-hybrid powertrains, replacing the previous T5 and T6 options. The B5 produced 258 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque, while the B6 offered 295 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrains featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The XC60 B5 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, while the B6 achieved it in 5.9 seconds. The XC60's standout features included a quiet cabin and comfortable ride, enhanced by optional air suspension. The plug-in hybrid XC60 Recharge delivered 400 horsepower and 472 lb-ft of torque, with a 0 to 60 mph time of 5 seconds, while the Polestar Engineered version offered even more performance.

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 slid up to 63.5 centimetres, providing flexible legroom and easy access to the third row. 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. 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 positioned under the front seats, preserving cargo space.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 maintained competitive passenger space, with above-average front-seat headroom but limited rear-seat headroom. It offered 611 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 1,410 litres with them folded. Plug-in hybrid models had slightly reduced cargo capacity. The XC60 provided a commanding driving position with good visibility, despite its somewhat pinched roofline. Large exterior mirrors aided in driving without relying heavily on driver aids.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna was equipped with a nine-inch touchscreen, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and multiple USB ports. It offered a range of connectivity features, including Safety Connect, Remote Connect, and Service Connect. Higher trims featured a Premium Audio + JBL package with 12 speakers and a rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. The driver enjoyed a colour multi-information display and a digital rearview mirror on select models.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 received a tech overhaul with a 9-inch touchscreen running Android Automotive, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. The system integrated Google Assistant, Google Maps, and the Google Play Store, allowing for over-the-air updates. While Android users could sync their profiles, iPhone compatibility was also promised. The infotainment system featured a new layout with sideways swiping for menu access, and the digital instrument cluster offered a "Calm" setting to minimize distractions.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, pre-collision system, and more. It featured the Star Safety System, blind spot monitoring, and 10 airbags. The Sienna received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a Five-Star Overall Rating from NHTSA.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 shared similar safety ratings with the 2021 model, receiving a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. Volvo's driver assistance system combined adaptive cruise control and automated lane centring.