2022 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Kia Seltos

Despite its classification as a subcompact SUV, the 2021 Kia Seltos had a big-car feel. It featured an upright layout with a commanding view of the road. The headlight design, though busy, flowed well into the grille styling. The lower front bumper had an aggressive approach angle, hinting at off-road capabilities, even though the Seltos was not designed for such terrain. The two-tone roof design and red circles around the wheel centers added a touch of modernity and sportiness. The interior boasted a straightforward design layout with clean lines and seamlessly integrated tech features, reminiscent of more upscale brands like Audi. The clean LCD screen for climate controls and the touchscreen atop the dash added visual symmetry, while the handle framing the tray below the center stack underscored its utilitarian yet sporty nature.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna aimed to present itself with SUV style while embracing its minivan identity. It featured a macho front end and re-engineered door hinges and slides to bury the slider channel below the rear side window frame. The rear doors had styling details integrated into the rear fender well, giving it an assertive profile. The interior avoided the minivan/school bus feel with an uncluttered design and clever storage solutions. The second- and third-row passengers enjoyed comfortable, roomy seating, with available second-row captain’s chairs and a spacious three-across bench in the third row. The third row was a 60/40-split bench that quickly stored away into the floor, and the second-row seats slid up to 25 inches for easy access to the third row.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The LX, S, and EX trims came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). AWD was standard on LX and EX and optional on the S. The base engine was adequate for city driving but lacked power at higher speeds. The S Turbo and SX Turbo trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard AWD. This engine provided ample power for highway driving and brisk acceleration. The Seltos handled well, with minimal body roll in turns and a smooth ride over bumps, especially in Sport Mode, which tightened the steering response and improved throttle response.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna came exclusively with a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. FWD was standard, with AWD available on all trim levels. The AWD system added a separate electric motor driving the rear wheels, eliminating mechanical complications. The Sienna used an electronically controlled CVT, offering four selectable drive modes: Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport. Handling was better than expected for a minivan, thanks to the TNGA platform’s front suspension and steering and independent rear trailing arm suspension. The Sienna Hybrid achieved impressive fuel economy, with EPA ratings of 36 mpg city/36 mpg highway/36 mpg combined for FWD models and 35 mpg city/35 mpg highway/35 mpg combined for AWD models. The 288-volt nickel metal-hydride battery pack was tucked under the front seats, with a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty.

The 2021 Kia Seltos provided a solid amount of cargo space, with 26.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 62.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This made it one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs on the market. The SX Turbo trim included a hard cargo cover that doubled as a tray for small items. The Seltos also offered plenty of cubbies and compartments, with large cubbies and bottle holders in the doors and a spacious center console and tray between the driver and front passenger. The rear seats provided ample head- and legroom, a rarity among subcompact SUVs.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was designed to be a family workhorse, capable of conveying a full 4x8 sheet of plywood inside with the tailgate closed. The sliding second row added flexibility for loading luggage and freight. Cargo measurements were 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 also had a 3,500-pound maximum towing capacity. The standard 60/40-split third-row bench stored away into the floor easily, and each row had storage cubby space and cupholders. Both side sliding doors and the rear tailgate were power-operated, with foot-motion triggers for added convenience.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came with a 3.5-inch TFT digital screen in the instrument panel and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the base S trim. The SX Turbo trim featured a Bose premium sound system, a 7-inch digital display screen in the instrument panel, and a large 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This system could display Apple CarPlay/Android Auto while still showing additional data on the right third of the screen. However, plugging in a smartphone via USB defaulted the audio to the phone’s music, which could be frustrating. Only one of the two USB ports allowed data connection, with the other being backlit for power only. Despite these quirks, Kia’s infotainment system was straightforward and intuitive, thanks to the helpful home button and redundant hard buttons below the touchscreen.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna offered a wealth of standard and available technology features. A 9-inch touchscreen was standard in all grades, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, one USB media port, and six USB charging ports throughout the cabin. However, it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. The Sienna came with a one-year trial of Safety Connect and Remote Connect telematics services, a 10-year trial of Service Connect, and a three-month trial of AT&T WiFi Connect. Bluetooth hands-free and audio streaming were included on all trim levels. Qi wireless phone charging was standard on Limited and Platinum models. Audio systems ranged from a six-speaker system on the LE to a 12-speaker JBL system on higher trims. A rear-seat entertainment system was available on XLE and above, featuring an 11.6-inch 1080p display, remote, and two wireless headphones. Higher trims also offered a digital rearview mirror and a 10-inch color head-up display.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and child-seat anchor latches. All trims except the base LX included a suite of driver-assistance safety features, such as forward-collision avoidance with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. The EX trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the SX trim included adaptive cruise control with idle stop-and-go and cyclist detection. The Seltos also featured an alert system for when a vehicle in front had pulled away, preventing the embarrassment of a courtesy honk from the driver behind.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. The standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite included adaptive cruise control, Lane Tracing Assist, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and traffic sign recognition. The Sienna also featured the Star Safety System, which included stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and electronic brake-force distribution. It came with 10 airbags and several LATCH child-seat connectors, a rear-seat reminder system, tire-pressure monitoring, and an inflator kit. Buyers could opt for a spare tire, which was now located in the wall of the cargo space for safety and convenience.