2020 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Honda Pilot

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 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 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 included a power liftgate and leather upholstery, while the XLE added luxury touches like a power moonroof and leather-trimmed seating. The Nightshade Edition, available on the SE trim, offered dark accents and 19-inch wheels for those prioritizing style.

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance styling with reliability, safety, comfort, and performance. Despite a 2019 refresh and a 2020 Black Edition, its exterior design remained polarizing. The Pilot was available in five trims in Canada, including the LX, EX, EX-L Navi, Touring, and Black Edition, with prices ranging from $42,905 to $56,805. All-wheel drive was standard in Canada. The Black Edition, which we tested, featured exclusive black leather upholstery with red accents and ambient lighting. Quality materials were evident throughout, including hard plastic panels. The Pilot's interior resembled a minivan with a flat dashboard and low centre console. While the exterior design was drab, the interior offered practicality and comfort.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 296 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a Sport mode for enhanced throttle and shift response, providing stout acceleration. The Sienna's powertrain sent power to the front wheels as standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available on most trims. AWD versions were limited to a 7-passenger configuration, a unique selling point in 2020. 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 handled well for a minivan, with a low centre of gravity and broad base, though its steering response was twitchy at higher speeds.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and a torque-vectoring AWD system, capable of directing up to 70% of engine output to a single rear wheel. The Pilot offered Intelligent Traction Management with driving modes for various conditions. Fuel-saving measures included variable-cylinder management and automatic engine stop/start, with a combined fuel consumption of 11.0 L/100 km. The Pilot's MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension provided a comfortable ride and athletic handling. The torque-vectoring AWD system, 20-inch alloy wheels, and responsive steering contributed to an enjoyable driving experience. However, the brakes could heat up and vibrate with prolonged use, and off-road capability was limited by its ground clearance and approach angles.

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 a bench seat. The third-row seats folded seamlessly into the floor, but accessing the backseat was challenging. Toyota offered mobility access features, including a built-in rotating lift seat, making it an affordable option for those needing mobility conversions.

The 2021 Honda Pilot provided ample room for families, seating up to eight with a bench second-row seat. The test vehicle featured comfortable leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver. Second-row captain’s chairs were optional on the Touring trim and standard on Black Edition models, offering comfort and sliding forward for third-row access. The third-row seat was less comfortable for adults due to its low cushion. Storage was abundant, with compartments in door panels, the centre console, and seatback pockets. The Pilot offered 524 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,583 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 3,092 litres.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna's base CE trim featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, a long-awaited addition. It included Bluetooth connectivity and five USB ports. Higher trims offered an 8-inch screen, navigation, and a JBL 10-speaker audio system. The Limited trim included Driver Easy Speak, an intercom system broadcasting the driver's voice to rear speakers.

The 2021 Honda Pilot included an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The EX-L Navi trim added navigation, while the Touring trim offered wireless phone charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 10-speaker audio system. The system lacked a tuning knob, and voice recognition required specific prompts. The Touring trim also featured a rear-seat entertainment system and Cabin Talk, allowing the driver to communicate with rear passengers through speakers or headphones.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came standard with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P), including 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 trims and above. The Sienna earned five stars from the NHTSA and top ratings from the IIHS.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured Honda Sensing, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The Touring trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The Pilot's crash-test ratings were favourable, with five stars from the NHTSA and high ratings from the IIHS, though it received an "acceptable" score for front passenger small overlap frontal-impact protection.