Bitauto Original 2021 is a year of transformation for the Chinese automobile market. The development of the conventional sedan and SUV markets is facing bottlenecks, and major OEMs are embarking on new tracks. In addition to the familiar new energy and sports models, the MPV market has also welcomed many heavyweight players in the past year, including joint venture brands Toyota Sienna and Kia Real, as well as independent brands Lantu and Roewe.
The comparison models we bring today are the Roewe iMAX8 that was redesigned in August 2021 and the popular Toyota Sienna in this market. Let’s see if independent brands can compete with the class benchmarks in the field of high-end MPVs. . Without further ado, let’s get into today’s comparison.
Before the comparison begins, let’s give a brief introduction to the two cars. There are currently 4 models of the 2022 Roewe iMAX8 on sale, with prices ranging from 188,800 to 253,800 yuan. The Toyota Sienna was sold overseas in the past. It entered the Chinese market in the second half of last year and is positioned as a medium and large MPV. Currently, there are 6 Senna models on sale, with prices ranging from 309,800 to 405,800 yuan. Due to the large price gap between the two, and the Toyota Sienna currently has a certain price increase, the models we selected for comparison this time are the Roewe iMAX8 Extreme Edition priced at 253,800 yuan and the Toyota Sienna priced at 309,800 yuan. Comfort version. The prices of the two are relatively close, but there is still a price difference of nearly 100,000.
Appearance comparison: Also focused on family, Roewe iMAX8 wins with exquisiteness
Although the MPV market is not as segmented as other markets, aesthetics and needs are interlinked, and more and more people MPVs no longer use business reception as their main purpose. This is the case with today's iMAX8 and Senna, which are as de-commercial as possible in appearance. Both models are based on the family design language and have been extended to a more suitable MPV style, showing the all-round attributes of IKEA.
The exterior design of Roewe iMAX8 adopts digital rhythm aesthetics, which looks very dynamic at first glance. The large-area black center grid uses a complex scale-like grid inside, which the official calls it a "parametric three-dimensional suspended dragon scale shape". The slender LED light set creates an extraordinary momentum. Roewe's family-oriented design is highly original and highly recognizable, and it is also in line with the aesthetics of current mainstream MPV consumers.
In comparison, the Sina will be more bland. In terms of freshness, after all, this design language has been used on the Camry four years ago. The three-dimensional headlights of the Hawkeye also have a sporty feel. The integration of X elements into the front face is a common design technique nowadays. Although it is not that stunning, it is quite attractive. The overall design is sharp enough and the outline is relatively full. However, the appearance of the Toyota Nissan Comfort Edition compared this time is different from other models. The air intake grille of the lowest model is a piece of black plastic, which lowers the sense of class.
In terms of body size, the body size data of Roewe iMAX8 is 5016/1909/1782mm, and the wheelbase is 3000mm; the body size data of Toyota Sienna is 5165/1995/1765mm, and the wheelbase is 3060mm. From the data point of view, the Toyota Senna will be slightly larger overall, but the length of both cars is more than 5 meters, so the difference is minimal.
In terms of tires, the Roewe iMAX8 uses 18-inch rims, while the Toyota Sienna will be smaller at 17 inches. Both cars use five-spoke wheels, but the wheel shape of the Roewe iMAX8 will be more refined. At the same time, the Roewe iMAX8 uses 225/55 R18 tires, and the visual appearance will be better than the 235/65 R17 tires of the Toyota Racing. Of course, there is a question mark as to whether tire noise has an impact. We will answer it later.
The design of the rear of the car is obviously different in style between the two cars. The rear of the Senna The lines are very obvious, and the Roewe iMAX8 looks more stable. The through-type chrome strip is the highlight, and the shape of the light group is quite technological.
In general, although both cars have the design bias of IKEA, the Roewe iMAX8 focuses on futuristic and stable style, so it is more suitable for the new middle-class consumer group; the Senna stands out It has a sense of fashion and sportiness, but the lowest model has too many plastic parts and the 17-inch wheels have a poor visual effect. As a result, this comfortable version of the Senna lags behind the Roewe iMAX8 in terms of appearance.
Interior Comparison: Roewe iMAX8's overwhelming use of materials and technology
The interior is obviously more important than the appearance of an MPV. Observing the interior design of the two cars, the interior of the Roewe iMAX8 pays more attention to extensibility, while the Toyota Sina Comfort Edition can only be described as simple, at least in terms of look and feel.
The interior lines and appearance of Roewe iMAX8 are different. The wing-shaped center console is mainly composed of soft curves, with through-type air-conditioning outlets, which can visually Stretch the lateral space inside the car.
At the same time, the blue and white interior color scheme is well received. The steering wheel is wrapped in calfskin, which has a delicate feel and is matched with NAPPA perforated ventilation. Genuine leather can effectively enhance the sense of class in the car. The full LCD instrument + large floating central control screen are the basis for the technological sense of the interior. If it's night, 256-color ambient lights will fill the atmosphere, and the sense of luxury is unmistakable.
The center console design of Roewe iMAX8 meets our expectations for a luxury MPV. The details inside the vehicle are well polished, whether it is color matching, materials or people. There is nothing wrong with the mechanical design. This is a high-level MPV.
Looking at Sena, SenaThe interior design is actually not very MPV style, and the wide center console is biased toward SUVs and sedans. However, the interior materials of the low-end version of the Senna will be significantly inferior to those of models of the same level. The leather is thinner and harder to the touch, and the plastic steering wheel has a moderate feel. This is also the compromise of the lowest version.
At the same time, Senna uses a 4.2-inch mechanical + LCD instrument. This configuration continues to the mid-range model. Only high-end models are equipped with full LCD instruments and central control. The screen size is 8 inches, the display effect is average, and the MOS4.0 multimedia system is built-in.
Speaking of vehicle-machine systems, Roewe’s accomplishments in this area have to be mentioned. As mentioned earlier, the hardware foundation of the Roewe iMAX8 multimedia system is a 12.3-inch full LCD instrument panel, a 12.3-inch central touch screen, and two 10-inch "magic screens" in the rear. The size of the central control screen will be larger than that of the Toyota Senna, using an IPS panel, and the display effect will be better. In terms of software systems, the intelligent interactive system of Roewe iMAX8 includes the Internet car Venus intelligent system, SKYEYE sky eye system and four-screen interconnection function.
The internet car Venus intelligent system uses MediaTek MYK6 core processor in hardware, and the entire UI interface is quite close to what we usually use. Digital products. The UI design also prefers a flat and simple style. The card-type modules are similar to those of smartphones, which is also a more beautiful arrangement at present. Functionally, it basically covers most of the functions that current car systems should have, whether it is intelligent navigation, online music, intelligent ecological cloud services, OTA upgrade iterations, IOT interconnection functions, etc.
The entire system is also highly customizable. Whether it is a large module or a small module, you can choose the arrangement and position of the icons according to your own driving habits. It’s easy to get started. In addition, Roewe iMAX8 supports full-cabin voice interaction function. There are 6 directional radio microphones distributed in the cockpit. Passengers in each row can wake up the voice assistant and operate vehicle-related functions.
The two 10-inch screens in the rear can control online music, radio, display weather, time, navigation information, and some holiday greetings and Easter eggs. Roewe has also designed software for these two screens, such as the front navigation, and the rear screen can display the remaining mileage, time, etc. It can be seen that the Roewe iMAX8 multimedia system is not only for improving the sense of technology, but more importantly, it is indeed quite excellent in terms of experience.
In comparison, the MOS4.0 system installed in the Senna seems to be stuck ten years ago. It may not hurt if there is no comparison. The engine system of Japanese cars is short of products. One of the boards, and Toyota's system can meet basic usage needs, such as Bluetooth phone calls, music, and also has voice functions, but compared to RondoAs for Wei iMAX8, it is far behind in terms of aesthetics, smoothness and technological experience.
Come to the rear space of the two MPVs. The positioning of Roewe iMAX8 and Toyota Sienna is actually more oriented towards family users, and both of them are also more oriented towards family fun space at the publicity level. So how is the performance of the rear seats of the two cars?
First of all, both cars are equipped with electric sliding doors as standard. After all, it is too much to need to open the door manually at this price. Entering the car, the space experience of both Senna and Roewe iMAX8 is very good. Due to their similar sizes, the central aisle of the two cars is relatively loose, which is the basis for a seven-seater MPV.
But in the material There is a big difference between the two cars - both the front and rear seats are made of fabric seats, and the door panels are also made of large areas of hard plastic. In fact, even in the mid-to-high-end configurations, the Senna does not use full genuine leather. For example, the armrests of the front door panels, the center console area in front of the passenger seat, and the front center armrest are all made of imitation leather. This needs to be improved. As the lowest-end model, The entertainment system screen in the rear row is naturally missing. Overall, the interior of the Senna is too plain, and the cost control is too great.
Needless to say about the materials of Roewe iMAX8, in fact, the interior quality of this top-of-the-line iMAX8 is quite excellent: high-end materials, good atmosphere The sense of quality brought by the double-stitched stitching is beyond expectations at this price point.
As for the space part, we invited experiencers to experience the front and rear spaces of the two cars during the actual shooting.
It can be seen that as an MPV model, Roewe Both the iMAX8 and Toyota Sienna meet the standards in terms of headroom in the front and rear rows, with a margin of one punch. In terms of rear space performance, the legroom of the Roewe iMAX8 is about one palm, while that of the Sienna is at the level of two punches. . The space performance of both is relatively good, and the wheelbase advantage of the Toyota Senna will be more obvious, but there is no problem with both cars being fully loaded with 7 adults.
Power comparison: Roewe iMAX8 has a stronger push-back feel; Toyota Sienna is smooth and fuel-efficient
Let’s talk about power. Sienna is equipped with a 2.5L naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine and an electric motor. Hybrid system. Among them, the engine has a maximum power of 141 kW/192 horsepower and a peak torque of 238 N·m. The maximum power of the front motor is 134 kW/270 N·m. The comprehensive system power is 183 kW. It is matched with an E-CVT continuously variable transmission.
The entire Roewe iMAX8 series uses a 2.0T turbocharged engine with a maximum power of 172 kilowatts/234 horsepower and a peak torque of 360 N·m.It is matched with an 8AT automatic transmission. Hybrid systems and turbine engines are actually not very comparable. The former focuses on smoothness and fuel economy, while the latter focuses on explosive power.
From the parameter point of view, the Toyota Senna is of course better. The dual-engine system with motor blessing also has inherent advantages in terms of ride comfort, but the turbocharged engine has The traditional AT gearbox is my preferred driving style, provided there is a smart gearbox. The gearbox of the Roewe iMAX8 is maturely matched and the shifting logic is also smart. Using the paddle shifters allows the car owner to have more communication with the vehicle.
In terms of acceleration capabilities, although the parameters of both cars are good , but since both cars weigh more than 2 tons, the acceleration time from 0-100km/h is about 8-9 seconds. Of course, this result is enough for an MPV.
During the acceleration process, the Roewe iMAX8 will feel more comfortable when pushing against the back. Obviously, due to the characteristics of Toyota's hybrid system, the power reserve is somewhat limited in the mid-to-high speed range, and the naturally aspirated engine will rotate at a higher speed. This also causes the Senna's engine to lose power at high speeds. NVH control is not as good as iMAX 8.
Configuration comparison: Roewe iMAX8 is full of configurations
The configuration part is often the strength of independent brands, and many configurations are closely related to the driving and riding experience.
Compared with the Cina, the Roewe iMAX8 has a full seating configuration: both the front and rear rows are equipped with seat heating and ventilation functions, and the second row also has electric seat adjustment and seat massage functions. In addition, configurations such as rain-sensing wipers and on-board air purifiers are not available in the Senna.
The configuration of the lowest version of Senna is actually not shabby——Full-speed adaptive cruise, double-sided electric sliding doors, keyless entry, and LED light groups are all equipped, but there are many things that need to be complained: at this price, the co-pilot still has a manual seat. This is already a car with a sales price of more than 350,000 yuan; at the same time, only the top version with a price of 405,800 yuan has a panoramic reversing image, which is still very important for an MPV over 5 meters long.
In terms of luxury configuration, Toyota Siana’s entry-level model is far from luxurious: both in terms of materials and technological configuration, Roewe iMAX8 wins. After all, as the entry-level model, the comfort version can save costs through luxurious configurations. The Roewe iMAX8’s 11-speaker BOSE audio, 256-color ambient lights, car refrigerator and other functions are much better at a price that is twice as high.You can only see it on the vehicle model.
In terms of safety configuration, both cars are unambiguous. Roewe iMAX8 and Toyota Sienna have complete airbags and tire pressure display functions, and both also have Active braking/active safety features. However, although both are L2-level assisted driving, Roewe iMAX8 is more reassuring with the help of 3 millimeter wave radars, 6 cameras and 12 ultrasonic radars.
In the collision results announced by China Insurance Research Institute in June last year, Roewe iMAX8 even scored an outstanding score of "7G". From the crash test photos, we can see that when a frontal 25% offset collision occurs, the front part of the car plays a good role in absorbing energy and buffering. At the same time, the strong A-pillar hardly undergoes any deformation, ensuring the safety of the cockpit. Integrity. In addition, the side air curtains and airbags all deployed normally, further reducing collision injuries.
As far as we know, the proportion of high-strength steel in the Roewe iMAX8 body is as high as 81%, and it has a large-area front collision that is leading in its class. Beam, with the support of the new front cabin cage frame structure formed by the front buffer mechanism, longitudinal beams, A-pillars and chassis full-frame subframes, the most intuitive thing is to ensure the structural retention ability in offset collisions, without causing cabin deformation. Causing injuries to people in the vehicle.
The Toyota Sienna has not yet undergone crash testing by China Insurance Research Institute, but we also found out last year’s Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) 2021 model for the North American market. Toyota Sienna crash test results. It is also at the "full G" level, but whether the body frame and structural design have been shrunk after being made in China needs to be a question mark, which is something we need to pay attention to in the future.
Full text summary: After reading the above comparison, we return to the original question: In the field of high-end MPV, can independent brands compete with joint venture brands? The answer I give is yes. Looking at the product capabilities of the two cars, we will find that the Roewe iMAX8 may be more in line with MPV consumers' needs for vehicles at this price: a more extreme in-car experience. The ultimate here is not only comfort, but also includes a sense of dignity and intelligent experience.
From this aspect, the Toyota Sina is actually at a disadvantage compared to many domestic MPVs. Its smooth driving experience is overshadowed by the disadvantages of configuration and interior materials. More importantly, the price. At present, The trend of Toyota Sienna price increases has not slowed down. Whether in terms of cost performance or product strength, this time I stand by Roewe iMAX8. If you are also interested in Roewe iMAX8, you might as well take the time to go to a 4S store to experience it, you might get unexpected surprises.