2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Subaru Crosstrek

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid aimed to redefine the minivan aesthetic, presenting a more SUV-like appearance. Its wide grille and sleek LED headlamp arrays gave it a modern look, while the sculpted sliding side doors and various alloy wheel options added to its assertive stance. Inside, the Sienna emphasized width with horizontal lines and a higher seating position, offering a comfortable ride. The dashboard was simple and uncluttered, with most controls conveniently clustered around the infotainment screen. The second and third rows provided ample comfort and flexibility, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, on the other hand, transformed the Impreza hatchback into a rugged crossover. With black body cladding, model-specific 17-inch wheels, and a taller ride height, the Crosstrek offered 8.7 inches of ground clearance. This gave it a more SUV-like character, further enhanced by vibrant color options like Plasma Yellow Pearl. The interior remained functional but somewhat plain, with some questionable design choices like the clashing color accents in the Sport trim. Despite these quirks, the Crosstrek maintained a practical and user-friendly layout.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, producing a combined 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on all trim levels. The Sienna used an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which, while maximizing fuel efficiency, tended to blunt throttle response. The Sienna Hybrid boasted impressive fuel economy, with FWD models achieving 36 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 36 mpg combined, while AWD models were rated at 35/36/35 mpg combined.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered two gasoline powertrain options. The new 2.5-liter boxer-four engine, standard on the Sport and Limited trims, produced 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The base and Premium trims continued with the 2.0-liter boxer-four, generating 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission was standard on Base and Premium trims, while a CVT was optional. All trim levels featured standard all-wheel drive with torque vectoring and X-Mode for improved handling on loose surfaces. Despite the additional power, the new 2.5-liter engine didn't dramatically enhance acceleration, and the CVT's droning was noticeable.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna excelled in convenience and cargo handling. It featured a standard third-row 60/40-split bench that easily stored away, and a second row that slid up to 25 inches for easy access. The cabin offered 16 cupholders and ample storage cubbies. The Sienna could carry a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed, and its cargo space measured 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101.0 cubic feet behind the first row. The hybrid battery was cleverly tucked under the front seats, preserving cargo space.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek provided the same front and rear legroom as the Impreza hatchback, with slightly more rear headroom. It offered 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 55.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. While competitive in passenger space, the Crosstrek lagged behind some rivals in cargo capacity. It featured a rear-seat reminder system and a handy cubby hole with USB ports up front, but storage space was otherwise minimal. The driving position was higher than the Impreza's, but visibility was good thanks to large side windows.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna came packed with technology features. A nine-inch touchscreen was standard, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM. Connectivity options included Safety Connect, Remote Connect, Service Connect, and AT&T WiFi Connect. Higher trims featured a Premium Audio + JBL package with 12 speakers and a rear-seat entertainment system. The driver enjoyed a color multi-information display and, in Platinum trims, a 10-inch Head-Up Display. Remote keyless entry and push-button start were standard, with the Smart Key System available on higher trims.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek used Subaru’s Starlink infotainment system, with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. Premium and Sport trims added WiFi and SiriusXM, while an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation was standard on the Limited trim. Subaru also included a second screen above the main touchscreen for additional information. The 8-inch touchscreen was user-friendly, and large analog knobs and buttons made controlling audio and climate functions easy. Steering wheel buttons controlled EyeSight driver-assistance features.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, pre-collision system with pedestrian and bicyclist detection, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, and road sign assist. The Sienna also featured the Star Safety System, 10 airbags, LATCH connectors, a rear-seat reminder system, and a tire pressure monitoring system. While 2021 crash-test ratings were not yet available, the 2020 Sienna received high marks from both IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, with five stars in side crash tests and four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The 2020 model, virtually identical to the 2021, earned IIHS’s “Top Safety Pick” award. EyeSight driver-assist features were standard on CVT-equipped models, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Additional safety features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on higher trims. However, EyeSight’s camera positioning could limit functionality in certain conditions.