2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid aimed to redefine the minivan's aesthetic, traditionally not known for its style. It presented a more SUV-like appearance with a wide grille and sleek LED headlamp arrays, giving it a modern look. The side profile was assertive, with sculpted sliding doors and alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 20 inches, depending on the trim. The rear maintained a wide and low stance, with Toyota's renowned fit and finish. Inside, the Sienna emphasized width with horizontal lines, offering a comfortable seating position and a simple, uncluttered dashboard. The center console was practical, featuring a gear selector, cup holders, and a large storage compartment. The second and third rows provided ample space and comfort, with the second row sliding for maximum utility.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, a smaller sibling to the anticipated Bronco, captured a modern retro feel reminiscent of Land Rover designs. It featured short front and rear overhangs, tall fender wells, and a body designed for trail driving. The front and rear ends echoed the larger Bronco, with bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate. Wheel options varied across trims, with sizes ranging from 17 to 18 inches, and all-terrain tires available on higher trims. Inside, the Bronco Sport offered a rugged yet tasteful design, with unique HVAC vent shapes and an 8-inch infotainment screen. The interior trim improved with each model, from cloth to leather-trimmed seats, and included practical features like a rubberized cargo floor.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid marked Toyota's first hybrid minivan, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, producing 243 horsepower. It offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available across all trims. The Sienna used an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which, while efficient, lacked throttle response. It featured four selectable drive modes and improved handling with new suspension systems. The Sienna Hybrid boasted impressive fuel economy, with FWD models achieving 36 mpg city/highway/combined and AWD models rated at 35/36/35 mpg.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices: a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder with 181 horsepower and a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder with 245 horsepower. All models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, with a terrain management system offering up to seven G.O.A.T. modes. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance. On-road, it provided a comfortable ride, with the 2.0-liter engine better suited to its character.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna excelled in convenience, with a standard third-row 60/40-split bench that stored easily. The second row slid up to 25 inches, facilitating access to the third row. The cabin featured 16 cupholders and ample storage cubbies. The Sienna could carry a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood and offered flexible cargo space, with up to 101 cubic feet behind the first row. It could tow up to 3,500 pounds and housed its hybrid battery under the front seats, preserving cargo space. Power-operated sliding doors and a tailgate added family-friendly convenience.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with features like cargo space designed to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. It offered over 100 accessories for transporting outdoor gear and had a roof rated for up to 150 pounds. The cargo hold included a flip-up rear glass and an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table. The front cabin provided ample storage compartments, though visibility issues were noted for taller drivers. The Bronco Sport could tow up to 2,200 pounds with the 2.0-liter engine.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna featured a nine-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. It offered various connectivity trials, Bluetooth streaming, and optional Qi-compatible charging. Audio systems ranged from a six-speaker stereo to a 12-speaker JBL package. A rear-seat entertainment system was available, and the driver enjoyed a multi-information display and optional digital rearview mirror. Remote keyless entry and push-button start were standard, with upgrades on higher trims.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring SYNC 3, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. It included FordConnect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and an optional Bang & Olufsen sound system. The terrain management system offered multiple drive modes, with trail control technology for off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was available on all trims except the Base, and higher trims featured a digital instrument panel.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, with features like dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, and pre-collision systems. It had 10 airbags, LATCH connectors, and a rear-seat reminder system. A tire pressure monitoring system and inflator kit were standard, with an optional spare tire. Crash-test ratings were pending, but the 2020 model received high marks from IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Co-Pilot360 Assist+ was available, adding adaptive cruise control and other features. Trailer sway control was part of the tow package, and all models had AWD with terrain management. Crash-test ratings were not yet available.