2022 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, moving away from its traditionally conservative styling. While maintaining its recognizable Volvo identity with a boxy profile and a blunt front end, the XC90 introduced softer lines and more chrome accents, enhancing its visual appeal. The LED headlights with "Thor's Hammer" daytime running lights added a distinctive touch. The Inscription trim level, with its extra chrome trim and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the most eye-catching, while the R-Design offered a sportier look with 20-inch wheels. The XC90's interior embraced Swedish minimalism, featuring high-quality materials and a thoughtfully arranged layout. The matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery provided a unique touch, and the Orrefors crystal shifter added a touch of luxury.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna embraced its minivan identity while incorporating SUV-like styling elements. It featured a bold front end and cleverly re-engineered door hinges to conceal the slider channel, giving it a more assertive profile. The Sienna's interior was designed with family convenience in mind, offering ample storage options and comfortable seating for all passengers. The second-row captain's chairs with ottomans and the spacious third-row bench provided flexibility and comfort. The Sienna's power-operated sliding doors and tailgate, with foot-motion triggers, added convenience for busy families. Overall, the Sienna's design aimed to combine practicality with a touch of style.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all centered around a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 model featured a turbocharged engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 model added a supercharger, increasing output to 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, also known as Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric assist, delivering a total of 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. The T5 came standard with front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive was optional on the T5 and standard on the T6 and T8. Despite its power, the XC90's small engine struggled with acceleration, especially in all-electric mode. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to its optional air-suspension system, and offered a quiet cabin. It had a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, although the base FWD T5 was rated at 4,000 pounds.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna featured a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on all trim levels. The AWD system used a separate electric motor for the rear wheels, simplifying the drivetrain. The Sienna's electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) provided smooth power delivery and enhanced fuel efficiency. The Sienna's handling was surprisingly good for a minivan, thanks to its Toyota Next Generation Architecture (TNGA) platform. The Sienna Hybrid achieved impressive EPA fuel economy ratings, with FWD models achieving 36 mpg city/highway/combined and AWD models achieving 35 mpg city/highway/combined. The Sienna's 288-volt nickel metal-hydride battery pack was located under the front seats and came with a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered a choice between six-seat or seven-seat configurations, depending on whether second-row captain's chairs or a bench seat was selected. While headroom and legroom were average for the segment, the third-row space was tight for adults, and the seats in the second and third rows lacked support. The optional power moonroof and upright roof profile contributed to a more spacious feel. The XC90's cargo space was limited, with 11.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The hands-free power tailgate added convenience.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was designed to be a family workhorse, capable of accommodating a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. The sliding second row added flexibility for loading cargo, with measurements of 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101 cubic feet behind the first row. The Sienna's 60/40-split third-row bench easily stored away into the floor, and each row offered storage cubbies and cupholders. The power-operated sliding doors and tailgate, with foot-motion triggers, provided added convenience for families on the go.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which emphasized simplicity and functionality. It came standard with a 9-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was user-friendly, although the lack of analog controls could be challenging for some. The XC90 also offered a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and a head-up display. However, the wireless charging pad was too small for most phones, and the second-row USB-C ports limited charging options for newer devices.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna boasted a wealth of standard and available technology features. A 9-inch touchscreen was standard across all grades, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The Sienna offered a range of telematics services, including Safety Connect, Remote Connect, and Service Connect. Bluetooth hands-free and audio streaming were standard, and Qi wireless phone charging was available on higher trims. The Sienna's audio system ranged from a six-speaker setup to a 12-speaker JBL system on higher trims. A rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display was available, and a head-up display was offered on Platinum models. The digital rearview mirror provided a clear view of the road behind, even with a full load of passengers.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for non-hybrid models. It earned top "Good" scores in all IIHS crash tests and a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle testing. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the XC90 a five-star overall safety rating. The XC90 offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, a driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Volvo's Pilot Assist driver aid.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was expected to receive a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, similar to the 2021 model. The NHTSA awarded the Sienna a five-star overall safety rating. The Sienna came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included adaptive cruise control, Lane Tracing Assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and traffic sign recognition. The Sienna also featured 10 airbags, multiple LATCH child-seat connectors, a rear-seat reminder system, and tire-pressure monitoring.