2022 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was a nod to traditional SUV styling, with its tall roof, chunky wheel arches, and prominent grille. It offered a clean and handsome design, though it lacked the personality of competitors like the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride. The Traverse's restrained styling allowed for distinct cosmetic elements across different trim levels, such as blacked-out trim on the RS model and chrome accents on the High Country. The interior mirrored the exterior's simplicity, with an optional Dual SkyScape sunroof as a standout feature. While the materials in the RS model were decent, they didn't quite justify the vehicle's $50,000 price tag.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna embraced its minivan identity while incorporating SUV-like styling cues. It featured a bold front end and cleverly re-engineered sliding doors that tucked into the body, giving it an assertive stance. The interior was designed to avoid the typical minivan feel, offering ample storage and comfortable seating across all rows. The Sienna's second-row captain's chairs with ottomans and a spacious third-row bench provided flexibility and comfort for passengers. The third row could easily be stored away, enhancing cargo space and accessibility.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Despite these figures, the Traverse didn't feel as powerful as expected, though it provided sufficient power for highway merging and overtaking. The nine-speed automatic transmission generally performed well, with occasional rough shifts. The Traverse excelled in highway comfort, thanks to its quiet cabin and smooth suspension, but it lacked agility on twisty roads. Its AWD system required manual activation and offered torque vectoring capabilities, though these weren't particularly noticeable during driving. The Traverse had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, which was average for its segment.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna featured a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. It offered FWD as standard, with AWD available on all trims. The AWD system used a separate electric motor for the rear wheels, simplifying the setup. The Sienna's electronically controlled CVT provided smooth power delivery and enhanced fuel efficiency. It offered four drive modes: Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport. The Sienna's handling was impressive for a minivan, with minimal body roll and a comfortable ride. Its standout feature was its fuel economy, achieving 36 mpg in FWD models and 35 mpg in AWD models.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse offered seating for seven or eight, with above-average headroom and legroom in all rows. It excelled in cargo space, providing 23.0 cubic feet with all seats up, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row stowed, and 98.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. However, interior storage options were limited. The Traverse's power liftgate and split-folding third row added convenience, but its practicality was overshadowed by the minivan's advantages.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was a versatile family vehicle, capable of accommodating a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. Its sliding second row enhanced cargo flexibility, offering 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, and the vehicle featured ample storage cubbies and cupholders. Power-operated sliding doors and a tailgate with foot-motion triggers added convenience for busy families.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot, and a Bose 10-speaker audio system. The Traverse's infotainment system was user-friendly, with analog controls for audio and climate. It also featured a rearview camera mirror and an optional HD surround-view camera system. USB ports were standard across all rows, but wireless phone charging was limited to higher trims.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna boasted a 9-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. It included a one-year trial of Safety Connect and Remote Connect, a 10-year trial of Service Connect, and a three-month trial of AT&T WiFi Connect. Qi wireless phone charging was standard on higher trims, and a 1500-watt inverter was optional. The Sienna's audio system ranged from a six-speaker setup to a 12-speaker JBL system. A rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display was available, and a head-up display was included in Platinum models.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse received top "Good" scores from the IIHS in crash tests and a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention. However, it had mixed headlight ratings and an "Acceptable" LATCH rating. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. The Traverse offered fewer standard driver-assist features compared to competitors, with many safety technologies available as optional extras.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included adaptive cruise control, lane tracing assist, forward collision warning, and more. The Sienna also featured 10 airbags, multiple LATCH connectors, and a rear-seat reminder system. Tire-pressure monitoring and an inflator kit were standard, with an optional spare tire.