2020 Toyota Sienna vs 2020 Subaru Outback

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 front doors emitted a hollow "thud" when closed, indicating a lack of attention to fit and finish. The instrument panel appeared to be from Toyota's 2010 parts bin, though its simplicity made the controls 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 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 Subaru Outback aimed for incremental improvements, building on its successful formula of utility, safety, and performance. It was underpinned by Subaru's Global Platform, enhancing structural rigidity by 70%. The base 2.5-litre engine featured 90% new parts, while higher trims offered a 2.4-litre turbocharged engine. Exterior changes were subtle, with noticeable updates to the head- and taillights. Inside, the Outback introduced an 11.6-inch touchscreen for most trims, except the base Convenience trim, which had dual 7-inch screens. The innovative DriverFocus system used infrared monitoring to detect driver fatigue and adjust settings via facial recognition. The Outback was available in seven trims, with the XT trims featuring the turbo engine. The base Convenience trim offered essential features like heated front seats and LED headlights, while higher trims added luxury touches like Nappa leather and ventilated seats. The Outdoor XT trim catered to adventure enthusiasts with performance upgrades and unique exterior cladding.

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. The Sienna's powertrain was front-wheel drive (FWD) as standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available on most trims, offering improved traction in adverse conditions. The FWD Sienna achieved fuel efficiency ratings of 12.6 L/100 km in the city, 9.1 on the highway, and 11.0 combined, while AWD versions returned slightly higher figures. The Sienna's low centre of gravity and broad base contributed to decent handling dynamics, though its steering response was twitchy at higher speeds.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured a 2.5-litre engine with 182 horsepower, a 7-hp increase over the previous year, and a 2.4-litre turbocharged engine with 260 hp and 277 pound-feet of torque for XT trims. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) tuned to mimic a traditional automatic transmission. Subaru's symmetrical AWD system provided consistent power delivery and improved traction. The Outback offered 22.1 centimetres of ground clearance, making it capable of handling various terrains. Its approach, departure, and breakover angles allowed for moderate off-road capability, while the upgraded X-Mode and hill-descent control on the Outdoor XT trim enhanced its performance.

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 accessing the backseat was challenging due to the awkward folding mechanism of the second-row seats. Toyota offered mobility access features, such as the Auto Access Seat, making the Sienna a practical choice for those needing mobility conversions.

The 2020 Subaru Outback provided 920 litres of cargo space, expandable to 2,144 litres with the rear seats folded. The increase in width between the rear wheels contributed to the larger cargo area. The Outback's interior was spacious, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. Its design prioritized visibility, offering excellent sightlines in most directions, though the rear quarters had a noticeable blind spot. The Outback's proportions and low load height made it a practical choice for those seeking a versatile vehicle with ample cargo and passenger space.

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 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 Subaru Outback boasted an 11.6-inch touchscreen, appealing to tech enthusiasts. While the screen was visually impressive and user-friendly, it suffered from lag, affecting navigation and other functions. The camera resolution was also subpar, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the system had potential, and Subaru aimed to address these shortcomings.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came standard with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P), which included lane-departure alert, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, dynamic cruise control, and automatic high beams. Higher trims offered blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Sienna earned five stars from the NHTSA and received top ratings from the IIHS for its crashworthiness and driver-assistance features.

The 2020 Subaru Outback's safety suite impressed with its standard AWD system and EyeSight technology. However, the optical nature of EyeSight meant it could be obstructed by environmental factors. The DriverFocus system, designed to alert distracted drivers, was problematic, frequently issuing false alerts. Despite these issues, Subaru's commitment to safety remained evident, and the Outback offered a solid array of safety features.