2020 Toyota Sienna vs 2020 Toyota 4Runner

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, part of its third generation, had been around since 2011 and received a refresh 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 its doors suggested otherwise. However, the simplicity of its 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 stood out with 19-inch alloy wheels and a power liftgate, while the XLE added luxury touches like leather-trimmed seating and a power moonroof. The Nightshade Edition, available on the SE trim, added dark accents for a cooler look.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner boasted a timeless design with tall slab sides, a high beltline, and short overhangs, giving it a utilitarian attitude. Its flared wheel wells accommodated off-road tires, and the short overhangs allowed it to tackle steep terrains. The 4Runner's lineup in Canada was based on the SR5 trim, with packages like TRD Off-Road, Venture, TRD Pro, Limited, and Nightshade. The Limited package, aimed at comfort, featured leather upholstery and an 8-inch touchscreen. Despite its chrome and leather, the 4Runner's utilitarian DNA was evident, with plenty of plastic and a seating position designed for trails. The 4Runner's off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like Toyota's crawl control and Multi-Terrain Select, making it a formidable off-road vehicle.

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 offered stout acceleration, with a Sport mode for livelier throttle and shift response. The Sienna's powertrain was front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available on most trims, providing a unique selling point in its class. The Sienna's fuel efficiency varied, with the FWD 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. Despite its size, the Sienna handled surprisingly well, though its twitchy steering required constant attention at higher speeds.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner featured a 4-litre V6 engine with 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. This engine was designed for durability and off-road capability rather than fuel efficiency, with a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. The 4Runner's fuel consumption was estimated at 14.8 L/100 km in the city and 12.5 on the highway. Its body-on-frame construction and off-road features like crawl control and Multi-Terrain Select made it a formidable off-road vehicle. However, on-road, the 4Runner exhibited significant body roll and imprecise steering, making it less suited for highway driving.

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. Toyota offered mobility access features, such as the Auto Access Seat, making it a practical choice for those needing mobility assistance.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner prioritized off-road capability, with excellent outward visibility and a tidy turning radius of 5.6 metres. Inside, the dashboard featured large, easy-to-use controls, though the steering-wheel controls lacked illumination. The 4Runner's tall front seat position provided a commanding view, but climbing in and out could be tiring. It offered an optional third row, but these seats were best for short, occasional use due to limited legroom and comfort.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, supporting Apple CarPlay. Higher trims offered an 8-inch screen, navigation, and a JBL premium audio system. The Sienna also featured Driver Easy Speak, an intercom system for communicating with rear passengers.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner received an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. However, the onboard navigation system was less intuitive than smartphone-based systems. The 4Runner also included Bluetooth connectivity, a single USB port, and subscription services like Sirius XM. While the 4Runner's technology had improved, it still lagged behind competitors in terms of features and usability.

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. It earned five stars from the NHTSA and top ratings from the IIHS in many areas.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner also featured Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), with adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and a pre-collision system. It had eight standard airbags and received four stars from the NHTSA, though it scored lower in rollover tests. The IIHS gave it good ratings in most crash tests, except for the small overlap front test.