2022 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Nissan Kicks

The 2021 Nissan Kicks underwent significant exterior changes, aligning its design more closely with other models like the 2021 Nissan Armada and Rogue. It featured a distinctive "double V-motion" grille, combining chrome and piano black elements, and retained the older Nissan logo. The headlights were redesigned to be thinner and longer, with LED options available on higher trims. The rear of the Kicks showcased a new bumper and LED taillights, although the trunk area appeared somewhat unfinished. New paint options were introduced, and the two-tone paint job remained a popular choice, enhancing the vehicle's upscale appearance. The interior saw improvements in material quality, drawing inspiration from the 2020 Nissan Sentra, and offered features like a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel and Prima-Tex-appointed seating in the SR Premium trim.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna embraced its minivan identity while incorporating SUV-like styling cues. It featured a bold front end and cleverly concealed sliding door channels, contributing to a more assertive profile. The interior was designed to avoid the typical minivan feel, offering ample storage and comfortable seating across all rows. The Sienna's flexible seating arrangements included second-row captain’s chairs with ottomans and a spacious third-row bench that folded into the floor. The minivan's practicality extended to its cargo capacity, with the ability to accommodate a full 4x8 sheet of plywood and a towing capacity of 1,585 kilograms. Power-operated sliding doors and a rear liftgate added convenience, making it a family-friendly choice.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks was equipped with a single powertrain option: a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine producing 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive, with no all-wheel drive option available. The Kicks offered nimble handling, aided by electric power-assisted steering and a front independent strut stabilizer bar suspension. Despite its modest power figures, the Kicks provided a good power-to-weight ratio, making it suitable for city driving and highway cruising. The vehicle's fuel efficiency was commendable, with ratings of 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 6.6 on the highway, and 7.2 combined.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna continued with its hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to deliver 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive was standard, while all-wheel drive was available on most trims. The Sienna's hybrid system utilized an electronically controlled CVT, offering smooth power delivery and excellent fuel efficiency. The minivan's handling was surprisingly agile, thanks to its Toyota Next Generation Architecture platform and independent rear suspension. Fuel consumption figures were impressive, with FWD models achieving 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 6.5 on the highway, while AWD models recorded slightly higher numbers.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks offered a compact yet functional interior, with easy-to-reach controls and ample small-item storage. The cabin featured a D-shaped steering wheel, adjustable front seats, and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. The Kicks boasted best-in-class front seat legroom, although hip room was somewhat limited. The available tonneau cover provided additional hidden storage in the rear cargo area.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior space and versatility, accommodating a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. The sliding second row added flexibility for cargo loading, with generous cargo measurements behind each row. The Sienna's towing capacity of 1,585 kilograms further enhanced its practicality. The minivan featured power-operated sliding doors and a rear liftgate, with available foot-motion triggers for added convenience.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks came equipped with a range of modern technology features, including a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. Higher trims offered additional features like Nissan Intelligent Key, automatic climate control, and a class-exclusive Bose Personal Plus sound system. The Kicks SR Premium included a surround-view monitor for enhanced parking assistance.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna boasted a comprehensive suite of technology features, with a standard 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. The minivan offered telematics services, Bluetooth connectivity, and optional Qi wireless phone charging. Higher trims featured a 12-speaker JBL audio system and an available rear-seat entertainment system with a widescreen display. The Sienna also offered a digital rearview mirror and Smart Key System on select trims.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks was equipped with Nissan Safety Shield 360, a suite of driver-assistance features including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot warning. The Kicks had 10 airbags and standard LATCH connections for child seats. While the 2021 model had not been crash-tested by the IIHS, the 2020 model received good marks, and the NHTSA awarded it a four-star overall rating.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. The minivan featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Sienna also had 10 airbags and multiple LATCH connectors for child seats. A rear-seat reminder system and tire-pressure monitoring were standard.