2020 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, in its third generation, had been around since the 2011 model year, with a refresh in 2018 that included updated infotainment tech and styling tweaks. Despite these updates, the 2020 version still felt somewhat dated, with a hollow "thud" when closing the front doors, indicating a lack of refinement in 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 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, while the SE trim included a power liftgate and leather upholstery. The XLE added luxury touches like leather-trimmed seating and a power moonroof. The Nightshade Edition, available on the SE trim, offered dark accents and 19-inch wheels for those prioritizing style.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe came in six distinct versions, each with unique styling cues. The base LS and popular LT had different grille patterns, while the sporty RST featured a blacked-out appearance with 22-inch wheels. The rugged Z71 was designed for off-roading with a modified front end, red tow hooks, and all-terrain tires. The upscale Premier and luxurious High Country trims boasted chrome accents and polished wheels. The Tahoe's design was dominated by its grille, with standard LED headlights and expressive taillights. The new independent rear suspension improved passenger comfort and cargo space, making it a class leader. The test vehicle, a Z71, included numerous options like a power panoramic sunroof and a power sliding floor console, bringing the price to $80,293. The interior featured a 10.2-inch infotainment screen and electronic transmission controls, though the control layout was somewhat compromised. The Tahoe's cabin quality met expectations, with exposed stitching and soft-touch surfaces in the upper half, while the lower half used hard plastic.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 296 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a Sport mode for enhanced throttle and shift response, and a manual mode for towing up to 1,587 kg. The Sienna's powertrain was front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available on most trims, providing better traction in inclement weather. The FWD Sienna achieved fuel efficiency of 12.6 L/100 km city, 9.1 highway, and 11.0 combined, while AWD versions returned 13.4 city, 9.6 highway, and 11.7 combined. The Sienna handled well for a minivan, with a low centre of gravity and broad base, though its steering was twitchy at higher speeds, requiring constant attention.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered three engine options: a standard 5.3-litre V8 with 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, a 6.2-litre V8 exclusive to the High Country with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 3.0-litre diesel inline-six with 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. The Tahoe's 10-speed automatic transmission powered the rear wheels, with 4WD optional on base trims and standard on others. The Z71 trim included off-road features like a two-speed transfer case and hill descent control. The Tahoe could tow up to 3,810 kg and handle 831 kg of payload. The new independent rear suspension, along with adaptive damping and air suspension, significantly improved ride quality. The 5.3-litre V8 and 10-speed transmission provided ample power, with Dynamic Fuel Management technology improving fuel efficiency. The Tahoe returned 14.3 L/100 km in testing, with commendable handling despite the Z71's all-terrain tires.

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 was easier with captain’s chairs than a bench. The third-row seats folded seamlessly into the floor, but accessing the backseat could be challenging. Toyota offered mobility access features like the Auto Access Seat, making it easier for those needing mobility conversions.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe benefited from its new independent rear suspension, improving passenger comfort and cargo space. The test vehicle featured heated power-adjustable front seats and a heated steering wheel, with ventilated seats available on higher trims. The power sliding storage console was a highlight, offering secure storage and comfort. The second row offered a bench seat or captain’s chairs, with the latter providing comfort and easy access to the third row. The third-row seat room was significantly improved, accommodating adults comfortably. The Tahoe offered 722 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, 2,056 litres with it folded, and a maximum of 3,480 litres, surpassing most full-size SUVs.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna's base CE trim featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth connectivity, and five USB ports. Higher trims offered an 8-inch screen, navigation, and a JBL 10-speaker audio system. The XLE Limited included Driver Easy Speak, an intercom system for communicating with rear passengers.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe boasted a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice recognition, and Chevrolet Connected Services. Navigation and Bose audio systems were available upgrades. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though main-menu icons were somewhat hard to access. The test vehicle included a Rear Seat Media system, offering versatility for rear passengers. A wireless charging pad and mid-grade Bose audio system provided convenience and decent audio quality.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came standard with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P), including lane-departure alert, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, 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 Superior from the IIHS for its driver-assistance features.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe included standard safety features like Teen Driver, rear-seat reminder, forward collision alert with pedestrian detection, and low-speed automatic emergency braking. Higher trims offered lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Tahoe's driving-assistance features worked as expected, though the pedestrian alert could be distracting. A surround-view camera was recommended for maneuvering the large SUV. As of the review, the Tahoe had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS.