2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2020 Ford Escape

The 2020 Ford Escape was a striking compact crossover, boasting a large grille reminiscent of the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks, with headlights inspired by the Ford GT supercar. Its design was more curvaceous than its predecessor, which came at the cost of some practicality. Despite this, it remained one of the most attractive small SUVs, trailing only behind the Mazda CX-5 and Jeep Cherokee. Inside, the Escape featured a modern cabin with a digital instrument panel and a floating infotainment screen, maintaining a balance between futuristic design and user-friendly controls. The Escape was available in four trims: S, SE, SEL, and Titanium, each offering a range of features from basic to luxurious.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid aimed to redefine minivan aesthetics with SUV-like styling. It featured a wide grille and sleek LED headlamp arrays, giving it an assertive stance. The sliding side doors were redesigned for a sculpted look, enhancing its overall appeal. The Sienna's interior emphasized width and comfort, with a simple dashboard and a centre console that provided ample storage. The second and third rows offered flexibility and comfort, with the second row capable of sliding to adjust legroom. The Sienna's fit and finish were of high quality, reflecting Toyota's reputation for superb craftsmanship.

The 2020 Ford Escape offered a diverse range of engine options, including a new three-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, standard in the S, SE, and SEL trims. The 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, available on the SEL and standard on the Titanium, delivered 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, providing brisk acceleration. The Escape also featured hybrid and plug-in hybrid options, with the hybrid setup producing 198 horsepower. The conventional engines used an 8-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrids employed a CVT. The Escape's handling was sporty, with direct steering and responsive brakes, making it enjoyable to drive. The hybrid version was the most fuel-efficient, with consumption figures of 5.4 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 6.3 on the highway.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid, Toyota's first hybrid minivan, combined a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. It offered both FWD and AWD options, with the latter using a separate electric motor for the rear wheels. The Sienna's CVT provided smooth power delivery, though it lacked the punch of a conventional transmission. The Sienna featured four drive modes, including a "Sport" mode for a livelier experience. Its handling was improved with new suspension systems, offering minimal body roll and a comfortable ride. The Sienna's fuel efficiency was impressive, with FWD models rated at 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 6.5 on the highway, while AWD models achieved 6.8 city and 6.6 highway.

The 2020 Ford Escape's sleek design resulted in reduced cargo space compared to its predecessor, offering 974 litres behind the second row and up to 1,852 litres with the seats folded. Despite this, the Escape prioritized passenger space, providing ample headroom and legroom for second-row passengers. The front seats offered commanding positions with good visibility. The Escape featured numerous storage solutions, including deep water-bottle holders and multiple compartments, emphasizing real-world usability.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna excelled in convenience and functionality, with a standard third-row 60/40-split bench that easily stored into the floor. The second row could slide up to 63.5 centimetres, offering flexible legroom and easy access to the third row. The Sienna's cabin boasted 16 cupholders and ample storage cubbies. It could carry a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed, thanks to its flexible cargo space. The Sienna offered 949 litres of cargo space behind the third row, 2,129 litres behind the second row, and 2,860 litres behind the first row. Its hybrid battery was cleverly positioned under the front seats, preserving cargo space.

The 2020 Ford Escape's base trim featured a small 4.2-inch audio control screen, while the SE trim upgraded to an 8-inch Sync touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Titanium trim included a head-up display, though its flip-up screen design limited its effectiveness for taller drivers. The Escape's infotainment system allowed for multitasking, enhancing user experience.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna came standard with a nine-inch touchscreen, offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. It included a year’s trial of Safety Connect and Remote Connect, along with Bluetooth hands-free and audio streaming. Higher trims featured a Premium Audio + JBL package with 12 speakers and a rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. The Sienna's driver-focused tech included a multi-information display and a digital rearview mirror, enhancing convenience and safety.

The 2020 Ford Escape was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including front- and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, and traction control. It earned a "Good" rating from the IIHS in all phases of testing. The Escape also came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, which included advanced safety systems like forward-collision warning and lane-keeping assist.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering a range of safety features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, and pre-collision detection. It also included the Star Safety System and blind spot monitoring. The Sienna was equipped with 10 airbags and LATCH connectors for child seats. It received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a Five-Star Overall Rating from NHTSA.