2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB vs 2020 Toyota Sienna

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 attention to 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 features like sliding dual power side doors and heated front seats, while the SE trim included a power liftgate and leather upholstery. The XLE trim offered leather-trimmed seating and a power moonroof, with the XLE Limited adding premium leather seats and a JBL audio system. The Nightshade Edition, available on the SE trim, added dark accents and 19-inch wheels for a cooler look.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB, introduced in 2020, was a new addition to the extensive Mercedes-Benz SUV lineup. It slotted between the smaller GLA and larger GLC, with a length of 4.63 metres and a wheelbase of 2.83 metres. Despite its distinct measurements, the GLB shared the Mercedes-Benz styling DNA, making it attractive with an athletic stance. It had a ground clearance of 20 centimetres, offering better clearance for soft roads and speed humps. Inside, the GLB was a modern stunner with round shapes across the dash and polished metal details in the HVAC vents. The single panel housing the virtual instrument cluster and infotainment screen was elegant, and the cabin boasted excellent fit and finish. The steering wheel, upholstered in perforated leather, added to the luxurious feel.

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. It offered a Sport mode for livelier throttle and shift response, and a manual mode for towing up to 1,587 kilograms. The Sienna's powertrain sent power to the front wheels as standard, with AWD available on all trims except the base CE. The AWD versions were limited to a 7-passenger configuration. The FWD Sienna had the best fuel efficiency, with 12.6 L/100 km in the city, 9.1 on the highway, and 11.0 combined. AWD versions returned 13.4 L/100 km city, 9.6 highway, and 11.7 combined. The Sienna handled well for a minivan, with a low centre of gravity and broad base, but its twitchy steering required constant attention at higher speeds.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre inline-4 engine, delivering 221 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The GLB's 4MATIC AWD was standard in Canada, providing better handling in various conditions. It had a curb weight of 1,765 kilograms and could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds, with a top speed of 210 km/h. The GLB's fuel consumption was estimated at 11.1 L/100 km in the city, 8.9 on the highway, and 10.1 combined. The 4MATIC AWD system offered benefits for off-road driving, with features like hill-start assist and downhill speed regulation.

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 the bench option. The third-row seats folded seamlessly into the floor, but getting into the backseat was challenging due to the awkward folding of the second-row seats. Toyota offered mobility access features, such as the Auto Access Seat, making it easier for those needing mobility conversions.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB offered the option of a third-row seat, affecting the second row and cargo compartments. The second row had a 40:20:40 split seatback and a 40:60 split seat bottom, with adjustable recline and sliding features. The third row was retractable, folding flat when not needed. Cargo space varied depending on the configuration, with the five-passenger GLB offering 764 litres behind the second row and 1,755 litres behind the first row. The seven-passenger GLB had 144 litres behind the third row, 679 litres behind the second row, and 1,605 litres behind the first row. The third row was suitable for children or short trips for smaller adults. The GLB's cabin was well-sorted, with comfortable front seats, modern amenities, and ample storage options.

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 premium audio system. The XLE Limited trim included Driver Easy Speak, an intercom system that broadcasted the driver's voice to the rear speakers, aiding communication with rear passengers.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB came with the latest Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, featuring voice control and natural language understanding. It had a 7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 7-inch touchscreen multimedia display, with smartphone integration via Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Premium Package upgraded the displays to 10.25 inches and included keyless go and a Burmester Surround Sound System. The Navigation Package added augmented reality navigation and traffic-sign assist. Additional options included adaptive suspension damping, ambient lighting, wireless charging, parking assistance, and a head-up display.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came standard with the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) suite, 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 models and above. The Sienna earned five stars from the NHTSA and a Good rating from the IIHS in various crash tests, with a Superior rating for its driver-assistance features.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB featured standard safety technology like active brake assist, adaptive braking, crosswind assist, and attention assist. Available features included active LED headlamps, adaptive high-beam assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Advanced Driver Assistance Package added features like active steering assist, active brake assist with cross-traffic function, and active lane-keeping assist. The Pre-Safe system activated safety measures in the cabin during an imminent collision, while Pre-Safe Sound emitted a signal to protect hearing. The GLB had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS.