2020 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 GMC Yukon

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. The hollow "thud" of the front doors when closed hinted at a lack of refinement in fit and finish. The instrument panel, reminiscent of Toyota's 2010 parts bin, was simple but 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 boasted a power liftgate and leather upholstery, 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 sportier look.

The 2021 GMC Yukon, a redesigned full-size SUV, positioned itself as a premium-grade vehicle, bridging the gap between Chevrolet and Cadillac. The Yukon was available in standard and extended-length body styles, with trims including SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali. The AT4 trim was new for 2021, designed for off-road adventures with features like skid plates and all-terrain tires. The Denali trim, known for its upscale appeal, featured an exclusive dashboard design, real wood trim, and leather-wrapped panels. The Yukon Denali Ultimate, priced at $93,703, showcased a sophisticated appearance with intricate grillework and chrome accents. The Denali's interior offered a panoramic sunroof and unique stitching, setting it apart from other Yukons and the Chevrolet Tahoe. The Yukon Denali's design and features aimed to provide a luxurious experience without the need for a Cadillac badge.

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. The Sienna offered a Sport mode for enhanced throttle and shift response, providing stout acceleration. While the Sienna's powertrain was front-wheel drive as standard, all-wheel drive (AWD) was available on all trims except the base CE. The AWD versions, however, were limited to a 7-passenger configuration. The Sienna's fuel efficiency varied, with the front-wheel-drive 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. The Sienna's handling was surprisingly decent for a minivan, with a low centre of gravity and broad base contributing to its stability. However, its twitchy steering response required constant attention at higher speeds.

The 2021 GMC Yukon offered three engine options, with the Denali trim featuring a 420-horsepower 6.2-litre V8 engine. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided robust acceleration. The Yukon Denali's fuel efficiency was not its strong suit, averaging 16.3 L/100 km on a testing loop. The new Yukon featured an independent rear suspension and available Four-Corner Air Ride suspension, improving ride quality and handling. The Yukon Denali's oversized wheels and tires offered impressive grip, though the ride could be harsh on rough pavement. The Active Response 4WD system, with its electronic limited-slip differential, enhanced cornering performance and traction. The Yukon Denali was capable of towing up to 3,629 kilograms, though this was less than some competitors. Overall, the Yukon Denali was capable but not particularly fun to drive.

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 could be challenging. Toyota offered mobility access features, such as the Auto Access Seat, making the Sienna a practical choice for those needing mobility solutions.

The 2021 GMC Yukon benefited from a new independent rear suspension, improving passenger and cargo space. The Denali trim featured leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a power sliding console. The second-row seats now slid and collapsed to fold flat, enhancing comfort and cargo room. The third-row seat provided actual thigh support, accommodating adults comfortably. The Yukon Denali offered 722 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 3,480 litres with all seats folded. The Denali XL variant provided even more space, rivaling minivan cargo capacities.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna's base CE trim came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, supporting Apple CarPlay. Higher trims offered an 8-inch screen, navigation, and a JBL 10-speaker premium audio system. The Sienna also featured Driver Easy Speak, an intercom system for communicating with rear passengers.

The 2021 GMC Yukon Denali, equipped with the Ultimate Package, offered a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Upgrades included wireless device charging, a navigation system, and a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series audio system. The Rear Seat Media system featured dual 12.6-inch touchscreen displays, though it required some setup for streaming content. The Yukon also offered a 15-inch colour head-up display and multiple surround-view camera vantage points.

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. The Sienna earned five stars in NHTSA crash testing and a top rating of Superior from the IIHS for its driver-assistance features.

The 2021 GMC Yukon featured advanced driving assistance systems, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Denali trim offered adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking. The Yukon's ADAS operated smoothly, providing a safe and comfortable driving experience. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of review.