2020 Toyota Sienna vs 2020 Land Rover Defender

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 its instrument panel reminiscent of Toyota's 2010 parts bin. The Sienna's design occasionally appeared upscale, but the hollow "thud" of the front doors suggested otherwise. However, the simplicity of the controls made them easy to use. 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 heated front seats. The SE trim boasted 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, featured premium leather seats, a JBL audio system, and HID headlights. For those prioritizing style, the Nightshade Edition offered dark accents and 19-inch wheels.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender was a nostalgic return to the classic Land Rover design, reminiscent of the 2016 LR4. Its squared-off edges, round headlights, and short overhangs evoked a sense of ruggedness and purpose. The Defender's design was both classic and functional, with features like step plates and a ladder for roof access. The taillights, with their rounded rectangles, paid homage to the old Defender's design. The vehicle's exterior could be customized with options like mudflaps, snorkels, and steel wheels. Inside, the Defender's interior was basic and industrial, with cloth seats and exposed screws. The HSE model we tested, priced at nearly $82,000, lacked the luxury expected at that price point. The Defender's interior was more akin to a commercial vehicle, with a focus on durability and functionality. Despite its utilitarian design, the Defender inspired a sense of adventure, making it a vehicle that encouraged exploration.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna was powered by 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. While the Sienna's front-wheel-drive (FWD) configuration offered the best fuel efficiency, all-wheel drive (AWD) was available on most trims, providing better traction in inclement weather. The Sienna's handling was surprisingly decent for a minivan, with a low centre of gravity and broad base contributing to its stability. However, its steering response was twitchy at higher speeds, requiring constant attention on the highway. The Sienna's fuel consumption was 12.6 L/100 km in the city and 9.1 on the highway for FWD models, while AWD versions returned 13.4 L/100 km city and 9.6 highway.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender offered a choice of two engines: a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four with 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline-six with 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The latter was a mild hybrid, featuring an electric motor-powered turbocharger to eliminate lag. The Defender's air springs provided a plush ride, filtering out bumps and ruts. In sport mode, the Defender launched aggressively, though its steering was slow and required corrections on the highway. The Defender's off-road capabilities were exemplary, with features like Terrain Response 2 and adjustable-height suspension. It could tackle steep inclines and deep water with ease, making it a formidable off-road vehicle. The Defender's towing capacity was impressive at 3,719 kilograms (8,200 pounds).

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. The Sienna's 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 offered mobility access features, such as the Auto Access Seat, making the Sienna a practical choice for those needing mobility conversions.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender prioritized durability and functionality, with a minimalist interior design. The Defender 90, a two-door model arriving in 2021, featured an optional jump seat, allowing it to seat six people. The four-door 110 model offered an optional third row, accommodating up to seven passengers. The Defender's cabin layout was versatile, with generous headroom and legroom. Cargo space varied by model, with the two-door 90 offering 297 litres and the four-door 110 providing up to 1,875 litres with seats folded. The Defender's towing capacity was impressive at 3,719 kilograms (8,200 pounds), and its rugged design was tested by driving into a curb at 40 km/h to simulate a seven-ton force.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna's base CE trim featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, a long-awaited addition. Higher trims offered an 8-inch screen, navigation, and a JBL 10-speaker 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.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender introduced the Pivi Pro infotainment system, a significant improvement over previous JLR systems. It featured two SIM cards for streaming data and over-the-air updates. The interface was more user-friendly, though some issues remained, such as small zoom icons on the map. The Defender's off-road capabilities were enhanced by front cameras showing the ground beneath the hood and a rearview mirror doubling as a screen. The vehicle also offered a 12-inch digital instrument panel, optional head-up display, and rear passenger tablets. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came standard with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P), which included lane-departure alert, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and dynamic cruise control. The Sienna earned five stars in NHTSA crash tests and received a "Good" rating from the IIHS in several areas. Its driver-assistance features earned a "Superior" rating from the IIHS.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by U.S. crash testing agencies. It featured six airbags and standard safety technologies like forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and 360-degree cameras. However, it lacked knee and rear side airbags.