2020 Honda Pilot vs 2020 Toyota Sienna

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, part of its third generation, had been around since 2011 and received updates in 2018. Despite these updates, the 2020 model still felt somewhat dated, with occasional upscale touches. The hollow "thud" of the front doors and the instrument panel's outdated design were notable indicators of its age. However, the simplicity of the controls made them user-friendly. The Sienna offered various trims, including CE, LE, SE, and XLE, each with distinct features. The base CE trim 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 easy-clean upholstery. The SE trim included a power liftgate and leather upholstery, while the XLE added luxury touches like leather-trimmed seating and a power moonroof. The Nightshade Edition offered a sportier look with dark accents and wheels.

The 2020 Honda Pilot shared the dynamic styling of the Honda lineup, featuring thin LED headlights and a multi-tiered grille. Its design cleverly masked its size, giving it a more streamlined appearance. Inside, the Pilot boasted a modern cabin with a semi-digital instrument panel, combining analog and digital elements. While the cabin was comfortable and spacious, it used hard plastics in some areas, making it less upscale than rivals like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. The Pilot offered several trims, including LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and the Black Edition. The LX trim provided standard all-wheel drive, 18-inch alloy wheels, and a host of tech features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The EX trim added a power-adjustable driver's seat and a power moonroof. The EX-L introduced leather upholstery and a power liftgate, while the Touring trim featured 20-inch wheels and a panoramic sunroof. The Black Edition, new for 2020, offered unique black-painted wheels and accents.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 296 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Sienna offered a Sport mode for enhanced throttle and shift response, providing stout acceleration in normal Drive mode. It also had a manual mode, which was rarely used, but could assist with its 1,587-kilogram towing capacity. The Sienna's powertrain sent power to the front wheels as standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available on all trims except the base CE. AWD versions were limited to a 7-passenger configuration, a trade-off many buyers were willing to make for the added traction. The Sienna's fuel efficiency varied, with the front-wheel-drive model achieving 12.6 L/100 km in the city and 9.1 on the highway, while AWD versions returned 13.4 L/100 km city and 9.6 highway. The Sienna's low centre of gravity and broad base contributed to surprisingly decent handling dynamics, although its twitchy steering required constant attention at higher speeds.

The 2020 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It came standard with all-wheel drive in Canada, with a 6-speed automatic transmission on LX, EX, and EX-L trims, while the Touring and Black Edition received a 9-speed automatic. The 9-speed transmission offered more refined acceleration and improved fuel efficiency. Honda's proprietary shifter button setup replaced a conventional shifter, which some found less intuitive. Despite this, the V6 engine provided strong acceleration for real-world driving. The Pilot's ride was tuned for comfort, making it ideal for commutes and road trips, though it lacked athleticism. The Intelligent Traction Management System offered drive modes for various conditions, enhancing traction in snow, mud, and sand.

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 was easier with captain's chairs than a bench. The third-row seats folded seamlessly into the floor, but accessing the backseat could be challenging. Toyota offered mobility access features, such as the Auto Access Seat, making it easier for those with mobility needs.

The 2020 Honda Pilot provided a spacious 8-passenger cabin with second-row bench seating, while Touring and Black Edition trims offered captain's chairs, reducing capacity to seven. The Pilot's third row was adult-friendly, with ample head and legroom. EX-L trims and higher featured one-touch fold-down rear seats for easier access. With the second and third rows folded, the Pilot offered 1,583 litres of cargo space, comparable to rivals like the Toyota Highlander and Kia Telluride. The Pilot excelled in family-friendly features, with plenty of storage spaces and a conversation mirror for keeping an eye on rear passengers. The CabinTalk feature projected the driver's voice through the speakers, enhancing communication with rear passengers.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna's base CE trim featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, a long-awaited addition for Toyota. It also included Bluetooth connectivity and five USB ports. Higher trims offered an 8-inch screen, navigation, and a JBL 10-speaker premium audio system. The Driver Easy Speak feature allowed the driver to communicate with rear passengers through the speakers, making it easier to manage family interactions.

The 2020 Honda Pilot came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The base trim included a 215-watt, 7-speaker stereo with a subwoofer, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB port. However, the system's layout was criticized for being confusing, lacking a tuning knob, and relying heavily on the touchscreen. Higher trims added features like SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, a rear entertainment system, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Touring and Black Edition received an upgraded 590-watt, 11-speaker premium audio system and a wireless charging pad.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came standard with the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) suite, which included 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 trims and above. The Sienna earned a five-star crash test rating from the NHTSA and a Good score from the IIHS, with a Superior rating for its driver-assistance features.

The 2020 Honda Pilot featured the HondaSensing suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. It also had standard front and side-impact airbags, child-seat anchors, and traction control. Optional safety features included parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring. The Pilot received a five-star crash test rating from the NHTSA and a Good score from the IIHS, with a Superior rating for crash prevention technology.