2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2020 Toyota Sienna

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, part of its third generation, had been around since 2011 and received an update 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 was a subtle indicator of its less refined fit and finish. The instrument panel, reminiscent of Toyota's 2010 parts bin, offered simplicity that made the controls easy to use. The Sienna was available in several trims, including CE, LE, SE, and XLE, each offering various features like alloy wheels, climate control, and infotainment systems with Apple CarPlay.

In contrast, the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a mid-generation refresh, showcasing a revised exterior with new LED headlights and a hexagonal grille, giving it a more muscular look. The Pacifica maintained a touch of sophistication, especially noticeable in its rear design with an all-LED taillamp. Inside, the Pacifica balanced practicality and luxury, particularly in the Pinnacle trim, which featured premium materials like quilted Nappa leather seats and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Pacifica's doors closed with a reassuring thud, and its sound-deadening technology effectively minimized road noise, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 296 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a Sport mode for enhanced throttle and shift response, and a manual mode, which was rarely used. The Sienna's powertrain was 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 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 slightly higher figures. Despite its size, the Sienna handled well, though its steering response could feel twitchy at higher speeds.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a traditional 3.6-litre V6 engine with 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, and a hybrid version with a combined output of 260 horsepower. The Pacifica's AWD system, available for the first time in 16 years, activated on-demand based on driving conditions. The hybrid model boasted an all-electric range of over 50 kilometres and a total range of 784 kilometres, with impressive fuel efficiency figures. The traditional V6 Pacifica achieved 12.4 L/100 km in the city and 8.4 on the highway, with AWD models seeing a slight decrease in efficiency.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna excelled in cargo space, offering 4,247 litres, surpassing competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica, which provided 3,978 litres. However, accessing the Sienna's full cargo capacity required removing the second-row seats, a task made easier with captain's chairs but cumbersome with a bench seat. The Sienna's third-row seats folded seamlessly into the floor, though accessing the backseat could be challenging. Toyota also offered mobility access features, such as the Auto Access Seat, making it a practical choice for those needing such capabilities.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, featuring spacious front seats and ample storage options, including an under-stack area and under-console storage for second-row passengers. Standard features included power-sliding doors, three-zone climate control, and Stow 'n Go seating, allowing for easy seat folding and storage. The Pacifica's second- and third-row seats provided sufficient legroom, and its cargo area was spacious, offering best-in-class total storage of 3,979 litres.

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 premium audio system. The Sienna also featured Driver Easy Speak, an intercom-like system that broadcasted the driver's voice to the rear speakers, aiding communication with rear passengers.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica's Uconnect 5 infotainment system was modern and customizable, featuring a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Pacifica offered an optional in-seat entertainment system for the second row, with a variety of games and ports for personal entertainment. Audio options included a standard six-speaker system, with upgrades to a 13-speaker Alpine system or a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system. The Pinnacle model featured FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with advanced features like a rear-facing child seat view.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came standard with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P), which included lane-departure alert, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and dynamic cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on higher trims. The Sienna earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and top scores from the IIHS in various crash tests.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered up to 116 safety features, with many standard on the Touring-L grade and above. These included automatic pedestrian emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and forward collision warning. Additional features like adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera were available on higher trims. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though the IIHS had not yet rated the model at the time of publication.