2020 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, part of its third generation, had been on the market since 2011 and received updates in 2018. Despite these updates, the 2020 model still felt somewhat dated, with its instrument panel reminiscent of Toyota's 2010 parts bin. The Sienna's front doors emitted a hollow "thud" when closed, indicating a lack of refinement in fit and finish. However, the simplicity of its design made the controls user-friendly. The Sienna was available in several trims, including CE, LE, SE, and XLE, each offering various features such as alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay.

The 2021 Lexus GX retained its decade-old body shell, with minor updates over the years, including the signature spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights. The GX's styling was coherent despite its age, with a tough, aggressive look that appealed to SUV shoppers. However, the interior did not meet modern luxury SUV standards, with wood trim that felt like plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. The GX offered standard semi-aniline leather, but the overall interior experience was not up to par with contemporary luxury vehicles.

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, with a Sport mode for livelier throttle and shift response. It had a towing capacity of 1,587 kilograms and was available with AWD, a unique feature in its class. The FWD Sienna achieved fuel efficiency of 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, though its steering response was twitchy at higher speeds.

The 2021 Lexus GX featured a 4.6-litre V8 engine, delivering 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX's performance was reminiscent of older SUVs, with the V8 providing ample power at low speeds but struggling at higher speeds due to its 2,349-kilogram weight. The GX's ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, with low grip and body roll in corners. However, it excelled in off-road capability, with a Torsen centre differential, 4WD system with low range, and features like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select.

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 was challenging. Toyota offered mobility access features, such as the Auto Access Seat, making it an affordable option for those needing mobility conversions.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior ergonomics showed its age, with limited legroom and an awkward steering wheel position. The dashboard shape provided excellent outward visibility, but forward visibility was hindered by the tall hood. The GX offered three rows of seating, but the third row was best reserved for children due to limited space. Cargo space was limited, with only 1,833 litres available with the second and third rows folded, significantly less than competitors like the Land Rover Discovery.

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

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, lacking Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. It offered a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, but the infotainment system's graphics were outdated. The GX included analog controls for most functions, providing a refreshing alternative to screen-centric interfaces in other luxury SUVs.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came standard with the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) suite, including lane-departure alert, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and dynamic cruise control. It earned five stars from the NHTSA and a top rating of Superior from the IIHS for its driver-assistance features.

The 2021 Lexus GX included the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, with features like a pre-collision system, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. However, it lacked some safety features found in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.