2020 Toyota Sienna vs 2020 Toyota RAV4

The 2020 Toyota RAV4, following its 2019 redesign, presented a bolder and more angular appearance, distinguishing itself from competitors like the Mazda CX-5 and Honda CR-V. The Trail trim, introduced the previous year, enhanced its off-roading capabilities with a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, multiple driving modes, and downhill assist control. The 2020 model continued this trend with the TRD Off-Road package, featuring matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels, all-terrain tires, and a TRD suspension setup, making it suitable for various terrains. The TRD Off-Road was visually similar to the Trail, with unique wheels, tires, and badges, and came in a striking Lunar Rock grey paint with an optional white roof. Inside, the TRD logos, rubber floor mats, and quality construction provided a rugged yet comfortable environment.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, part of its third generation since 2011, felt somewhat dated despite a 2018 update. The Sienna's design and features, such as the hollow "thud" of its doors and the outdated instrument panel, reflected its age. However, the simplicity of its controls was a plus. The Sienna offered various trims, including CE, LE, SE, and XLE, each with distinct features. The LE trim, ideal for families, included sliding dual power side doors and easy-clean upholstery. The SE trim added visual touches and a power liftgate, while the XLE offered luxury features like leather-trimmed seating and a power moonroof. The Nightshade Edition provided a stylish option with dark accents. The Sienna's versatility and family-friendly features made it a practical choice for those prioritizing space and convenience.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine, producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The RAV4 Hybrid variant offered 219 horsepower and impressive fuel efficiency, though it wasn't available with the TRD Off-Road package. The eight-speed automatic transmission generally performed well, though it occasionally struggled with gear selection. The TRD Off-Road model featured a torque-vectoring AWD system, multi-terrain select settings, and a downhill assist control system, making it adept at handling various terrains. Despite its off-road capabilities, the RAV4 was also well-suited for urban environments, with features like a 360-degree surround-view camera and a JBL premium sound system. The RAV4's fuel efficiency averaged 10.0 L/100 km, slightly higher than the official estimate.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 296 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Sienna's powertrain provided strong acceleration, with a Sport mode for enhanced throttle and shift response. AWD was available on most trims, offering improved traction in adverse conditions, though it required sacrificing the 8-passenger seating option. The Sienna's fuel efficiency varied, with FWD models achieving 11.0 L/100 km combined, while AWD versions averaged 11.7 L/100 km. The Sienna's handling was surprisingly decent for a minivan, with a low centre of gravity and broad base, though its twitchy steering required constant attention at higher speeds. Safety features like lane-departure alert and lane-keep assist helped mitigate this issue.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 offered easy access with well-positioned seating and a sporty driving position. The driver's seat was 4-way power-adjustable, while the front passenger seat provided good support despite lacking height adjustment. The RAV4 Trail featured SofTex upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom, air conditioning vents, and USB ports. Interior storage was ample, with a dashboard shelf and a cargo capacity of 1,062 litres behind the rear seats, expandable to 1,974 litres with the seats folded. Roof rails and a roof rack added to the RAV4's utility.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna excelled in cargo space, offering 4,247 litres, surpassing competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey. Accessing this space required removing the second-row seats, which was easier with captain's chairs than a bench. The third-row seats folded seamlessly into the floor. However, getting into the backseat could be challenging due to the awkward folding of the second-row seat cushion. Toyota offered mobility access features, such as the Auto Access Seat, making the Sienna a practical choice for those needing accessibility options.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 featured a user-friendly infotainment system with a 7- or 8-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim. The system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The TRD Off-Road's 8-inch system impressed with its voice-recognition technology and wireless smartphone charging. Additional features included a 360-degree surround-view camera and a digital rear-view mirror, enhancing convenience and safety.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna's base CE trim came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, supporting Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth connectivity. Higher trims offered an 8-inch screen, navigation, and a JBL 10-speaker premium audio system. The XLE Limited trim included Driver Easy Speak, an intercom system that broadcasted the driver's voice to the rear speakers, aiding communication with rear passengers.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, featuring advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking, radar adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also included. The RAV4 received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with top marks for crash protection and ADAS performance.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna included the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) suite, offering lane-departure alert, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and dynamic cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on SE models and above. The Sienna earned five stars from the NHTSA and top scores from the IIHS for crash protection and driver-assistance features.