2020 Nissan Rogue 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 overshadowed by its overall aged design. The hollow "thud" of the front doors and the instrument panel's outdated look were notable indicators of its age.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 heated front seats. The SE trim introduced 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 stylish option with dark accents and wheels.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue, available in S, SV, and SL Platinum trims, maintained an attractive appearance despite its age. The bold V-Motion grille and exaggerated fender swells added to its appeal, especially with the SL Platinum's 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels. However, the interior revealed its age with older styling themes and unimpressive plastic surfaces. The Rogue's centre console sides were padded for comfort, a thoughtful touch. While the Rogue's design was appealing, its interior left room for improvement in terms of modernity and material quality.

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. It featured a Sport mode for enhanced throttle and shift response, providing stout acceleration in normal Drive mode. The Sienna's powertrain offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available on most trims, making it the only minivan in its class to offer AWD in 2020. The AWD versions were limited to a 7-passenger configuration, sacrificing the 8-passenger option. Fuel efficiency for the FWD Sienna was 12.6 L/100 km in the city, 9.1 on the highway, and 11.0 combined, while AWD versions returned 13.4 L/100 km city, 9.6 hwy, 11.7 combined. The Sienna's low centre of gravity and broad base contributed to surprisingly decent handling dynamics, though its twitchy steering response required constant attention at higher speeds.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). While the CVT made the most of the available power, the Rogue's performance was merely adequate, especially during highway acceleration or passing. The Rogue's fuel efficiency was rated at 8.2 L/100 km combined for FWD versions, but testing revealed a higher consumption of 9.4 L/100 km. The Rogue's ride and handling were improved by brake-induced technologies like Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, but its electrically assisted steering and occasional CVT drone made it less enjoyable to drive.

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 a practical choice for those needing mobility conversions.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue's interior comfort was compromised for taller drivers, as the seat height and legroom were not ideal. The rear seats, however, provided excellent thigh support, legroom, and a good backrest angle, making them more comfortable for passengers. The Rogue's cargo area offered 1,112 litres of space, with underfloor storage compartments and a standard Divide-n-Hide cargo management system. While in-cabin storage was limited, the cargo area was spacious and practical.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna's base CE trim featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, a long-awaited addition. Standard tech included Bluetooth connectivity and five USB ports. 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 Nissan Rogue's infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Upgrades included navigation, a Bose premium audio system, and NissanConnect Services, offering features like remote engine start and emergency SOS calling. However, the Rogue's 7-inch touchscreen interface was dated, with slow response times and subpar voice-recognition technology, detracting from its tech appeal.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came standard with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P), including 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 rating from the NHTSA and a top rating of Superior from the IIHS for its driver-assistance features.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue featured Safety Shield 360, including forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional options included automatic high beams, pedestrian detection, and ProPilot Assist adaptive cruise control. However, the Rogue's crash-test ratings were less impressive, with a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and issues with frontal-impact protection preventing a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS.