So, you have a big family, and you are stressing out how you are going to transport around your big clan. There is no need to worry because the sales associates of Toyota near Irvine have two great solutions for you.
Yes, indeed there are many vehicles that can do a good job of transporting a family nowadays. However, the Toyota dealer near Irvine understands that many people go for SUVs, which are the most popular vehicles, there are still minivan options as well.
The Japanese car company has two vehicles that have many similarities, and you can’t make a mistake with either the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid or the 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid.
What Similarities Do The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Toyota Sienna Hybrid Have?
According to the car experts at Toyota near Irvine. The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Toyota Sienna Hybrid are both green options. Also, each vehicle has seating for up to eight passengers, which is less common than the seven-passenger option in many other minivans and crossover SUVs.
The two vehicles come with all-wheel drive. Their powertrains are a 2.5-liter inline-four hybrid with two electric motors, and they’re paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission.
The sales reps at Toyota near Irvine let us know that other car companies don’t have vehicles that provide space for eight passengers that are also green and have all-wheel drive. However, Toyota has two such options.
It is very uncommon for plus-size vehicles to have all-wheel drive, and also the Highlander Hybrid and Sienna Hybrid have amazing fuel efficiency. The EPA gives the Highlander Hybrid AWD a rating of 35 mpg combined. When buyers test drove the Sienna Hybrid AWD on the highway, it delivered 38 mpg.
No matter which vehicle you go for, you are going to get a powerful one. The Highlander Hybrid AWD generates 243 horsepower, while the Sienna Hybrid AWD produces 245 horsepower. Their electric motors have the capacity to provide torque without delays caused by geared transmissions shifting or turbo lag.
Considering they are both Toyota vehicles, they also have the same warranties. Both vehicles have a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile drivetrain warranty.
What Are The Differences Between The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid And Toyota Sienna Hybrid?
Obviously, there are some differences between the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the Toyota Sienna Hybrid. The Highlander Hybrid is a crossover SUV, while the Sienna Hybrid is a minivan.
The Sienna is a bit larger, at 203.5 inches. The Highlander Hybrid is 194.9 inches long. Their heights are similar at 68.5 inches for the Sienna and 68.1 inches for the Highlander Hybrid. The Sienna is slightly wider. Its max width is 78.5 inches, and the max-width for the Highlander Hybrid is 76 inches. The Highlander Hybrid has an inch or two more of legroom in the first- and second-row seats; however, the Sienna has 11 extra inches of legroom in the third row. Plus, the Sienna proves a lot more cargo room.
Besides the sizes and space capacity differences, there are a couple of technical and design differences as well. The Highlander Hybrid has a standard power liftgate, which isn’t available on the Sienna. The Highlander Hybrid also comes standard with a power driver seat, keyless start, and remote engine start, all of these features aren’t available on the Sienna. The Highlander is available with a gas engine. It is equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 gas engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
On the other hand, the Sienna does have an optional universal garage door opener, which isn’t available on the Highlander Hybrid. Additionally, the Sienna has the sliding side doors that are common on minivans, while the Highlander Hybrid has four regular doors.
The 2021 Sienna minivan is more affordable with its lower starting price compared to the 2021 Highlander Hybrid. The Sienna AWD starts at $34,460, while the Highlander Hybrid AWD starts at $40,010.
2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Models
The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a three-row midsize SUV available in four trim levels: LE, XLE, Limited, and Platinum. Seating for eight is standard on the base LE trim. Optional for the XLE and Limited and standard for the Platinum are second-row captain’s chairs, which lower total seating to seven.
What Does The Entry Level Toyota Highlander Hybrid Offer?
The LE trim is the 2021 highlander entry-level trim and starts you off with these features:
- Four-cylinder hybrid system (243 horsepower)
- Continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT)
- Front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive
- LED headlights
- Keyless entry and ignition
- Power liftgate
- Three-zone climate control
- 8-inch touchscreen
- Six-speaker stereo
- Five USB ports
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
- Wi-Fi hotspot
Every Highlander Hybrid also comes standard with:
- Lane-keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
- Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Toyota and the car in front)
- Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid Models
The 2021 Toyota Sienna is available in five trim levels, which are LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum. Every trim comes with a hybrid powertrain that uses a four-cylinder engine. The vehicle produces 245 horsepower. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available on all trims. Depending on the trim you opt for, the Sienna is available with either an eight-passenger that includes a second-row bench seat or a seven-passenger, and that includes a second-row captain’s chairs configuration.
What Does The Entry Level Toyota Sienna Hybrid Offer?
The LE is the 2021 Toyota Sienna’s base trim and includes the following standard features:
- LED headlights
- Power-sliding side doors
- Three-zone automatic climate control
- Second-row sunshades
- Power-adjustable driver’s seat
- Seven USB ports
- 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
- Six-speaker audio system
An optional LE Plus package adds:
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Black roof rails
- Sunroof
- Eight-speaker audio system
- Wireless charging pad
Every Sienna also comes with these advanced driver aids:
- Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
- Lane departure warning with steering assist (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane and steers the Sienna back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
- Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
- Automatic high beams
- Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)