2020 Toyota Sienna vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, part of its third generation, had been on the market since 2011, with a refresh in 2018. Despite these updates, the 2020 model still felt somewhat dated, with occasional upscale touches overshadowed by its overall aged design. The hollow sound of the front doors when closed hinted at a lack of refinement in fit and finish. The instrument panel, reminiscent of Toyota's 2010 parts, was simple yet user-friendly. The Sienna offered various trims, including CE, LE, SE, and XLE, each with distinct features. The base CE was well-equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay. The LE trim added family-friendly features like sliding dual power side doors and heated front seats. The SE trim stood out with a power liftgate and leather upholstery, while the XLE added luxury touches like a power moonroof and woodgrain accents. The XLE Limited, which we drove, boasted premium leather seats, a JBL audio system, and advanced safety features.

The 2020 Honda CR-V, in its fifth generation since 2017, was known for its familiar and fun design. Its exterior styling, with curvy lines and a resemblance to Honda's sedan lineup, leaned more towards a station wagon than an SUV. Inside, the CR-V's interior was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery clashing with lower-quality plastics. The base CR-V LX trim started at $29,970 Canadian, with five trim levels available, including Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Black Edition. All-wheel drive was standard on all trims except the entry-level LX. The CR-V featured standard 17-inch alloy wheels, with larger wheels on higher trims. The interior offered fabric seating on the LX, while higher trims received leather surfaces. The CR-V's car-like design extended to its low-profile roof rails and retractable moonroof on select trims.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 296 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a Sport mode for enhanced throttle and shift response, providing strong acceleration. The Sienna's powertrain sent power to the front wheels as standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available on most trims. The AWD versions were limited to a 7-passenger configuration, sacrificing the 8-passenger option. The Sienna's fuel efficiency varied, with the front-wheel-drive (FWD) model achieving 12.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 9.1 on the highway, while AWD versions returned 13.4 L/100 km city and 9.6 hwy. The Sienna's low centre of gravity and broad base contributed to decent handling dynamics, although its steering response was twitchy at higher speeds.

The 2020 Honda CR-V featured a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine standard across all trims, delivering 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), the CR-V's powertrain offered a smooth driving experience. The CR-V's road manners were excellent, with nimble handling and a firm yet comfortable chassis. Its low curb weight, ranging from 1,521 kilograms for the FWD LX model to 1,641 kg for the AWD Touring and Black Edition models, contributed to its agility and fuel efficiency. FWD CR-V models achieved 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres combined, while AWD models managed 8.1, making it one of the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid models in its class.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna excelled in cargo space, offering 4,247 litres, surpassing competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey. However, accessing this space required removing the second-row seats, which could be cumbersome with the bench configuration. The third-row seats folded seamlessly into the floor, but getting into the backseat was challenging due to the awkward folding of the second-row seat cushion. Toyota also offered mobility access features, such as the Auto Access Seat, making it easier for those with mobility needs.

The 2020 Honda CR-V was known for its masterful packaging, providing a roomy cabin comparable to the Volkswagen Tiguan. The CR-V offered excellent head- and legroom, thanks to its seating position and low cowl. The cargo compartment was spacious, with a two-position load floor allowing for flexible storage options. The CR-V's centre console featured a deep well with a sliding cover, inspired by the Honda Odyssey, providing ample storage space. The rear offered a total of 1,065 litres of cargo space in the Touring and Black Edition and 1,110 litres in other grades. The CR-V's door pockets were also generously sized, making it easy to store various items.

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, with the XLE Limited featuring navigation and a JBL 10-speaker premium audio system. The Sienna also included Driver Easy Speak, an intercom system that broadcasted the driver's voice to the rear speakers, making it easier to communicate with passengers in the back.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen and Bluetooth. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate, and even Apple CarPlay and Android Auto felt tacked on. The CR-V Touring and Black Editions offered navigation, but the system was not as user-friendly as competitors. However, the CR-V included plenty of USB ports, with two in the front and two high-powered ports in the backseat. The Touring and Black Edition trims also featured a wireless phone charger.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came standard with the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) suite, including lane-departure alert, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, dynamic cruise control, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on SE models and above. The Sienna earned five stars in NHTSA crash testing and received a top rating of Superior from the IIHS for its driver-assistance features.

The 2020 Honda CR-V included the Honda Sensing suite as standard, offering forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. Automatic high beams were standard, while blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic monitoring were available on higher trims. The CR-V earned five stars in NHTSA crash testing and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with LED headlights on Touring and Black Edition models improving nighttime visibility.