2020 Toyota Sienna vs 2020 Toyota Highlander

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 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 features like sliding dual power side doors and heated front seats, while the SE trim included a power liftgate and leather upholstery. The XLE trim offered additional luxury with leather-trimmed seating and a power moonroof. The Nightshade Edition added dark accents and 19-inch wheels for those prioritizing style.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander featured a design with more exaggerated creases and a trapezoidal theme, giving it a modern look. The vehicle's cabin was a highlight, with quality fit and finish, silver-painted accents, and a multi-layered dash. The interior colour palettes were pleasing, with the Limited trim offering a three-tone interior. The Highlander provided a comfortable and isolating driving experience, with padded surfaces and rich textures. The SofTex leatherette and diamond quilting on the Platinum trim added a touch of luxury. While the exterior styling was less inviting, the interior was where the Highlander truly shone, offering a level of detail and quality comparable to the Kia Telluride.

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 stout acceleration in normal Drive mode, with a Sport mode for livelier throttle and shift response. 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 AWD available on all trims except the base CE. AWD versions were limited to a 7-passenger configuration, a tradeoff many buyers were willing to make. The Sienna's low centre of gravity and broad base contributed to surprisingly decent handling dynamics, though its twitchy steering required constant attention at higher speeds. Fuel efficiency for the FWD Sienna was 12.6 L/100 km city, 9.1 hwy, and 11.0 combined, while AWD versions returned 13.4 L/100 km city, 9.6 hwy, and 11.7 combined.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander also featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. The engine provided brisk acceleration and was smooth and quiet at idle. The eight-speed automatic transmission made full use of the engine's power, though it required a heavy foot for a kickdown. The Highlander's steering was loose, requiring adjustments at highway speeds, and its soft suspension had too much rebound. Despite these limitations, the Highlander offered a comfortable and isolating driving experience, with muted inputs and outputs. The Limited and Platinum trims included AWD with torque vectoring and selectable driving modes. Fuel efficiency for the Highlander L FWD was 11.9 L/100 km city, 8.3 hwy, and 10.3 combined, while AWD versions returned 11.7 L/100 km city, 8.6 hwy, and 10.3 combined. The Highlander hybrid achieved even better fuel consumption at 6.7 L/100 km combined.

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 seats. Toyota offered mobility access features, such as the Auto Access Seat, making it easier for those with mobility needs.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander seated eight or seven with second-row captain's chairs. The second-row seats were versatile, with generous adjustments and easy access to the third row. The Highlander provided exceptional ingress and egress, with wide-opening rear doors and comfortable seat heights. Three-zone automatic climate control was standard, with upper trims offering additional features like a 120-volt outlet and a panoramic moonroof. Cargo space was generous, with 453 litres behind the third row, 1,359 litres behind the second, and 2,378 litres when both were folded. The Highlander also featured eight cupholders, four bottle holders, and two shelves integrated into the dash for added convenience.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna's base CE trim came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, supporting Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth connectivity. 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, making it easier to communicate with passengers in the back.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen on the Platinum trim, though its usability was limited by the constant display of climate and fuel efficiency information. The infotainment system lacked detailed maps and onboard apps, relying on a connected phone for functionality. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the Platinum trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a 7-inch display in the instrument cluster. The Highlander also offered a semi-automated driving system, adaptive cruise control, and a JBL audio system with 11 speakers.

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, dynamic cruise control, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on SE models and above. The Sienna earned five stars from the NHTSA and a top rating of Good from the IIHS in various crash tests.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors. The Highlander received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a 2020 Top Safety Pick from the IIHS.