2020 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Nissan Armada

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, part of its third generation, had been around since 2011 and received a refresh 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, a detail that many automakers typically refine. 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 Nissan Armada underwent a significant facelift, aligning its design with Nissan's new signature exterior style. Available in SL and Platinum trims in Canada, the Armada's exterior featured a new grille, bumpers, and LED lights, giving it a modern look while retaining its traditional robust styling. The SUV came with body-colour over fenders, dark-painted roof rails, and a power sliding sunroof. Depending on the trim, it rode on 20- or 22-inch aluminum alloy wheels. The Armada's new logo was prominently displayed on various parts of the vehicle. Despite the updates, the interior remained somewhat dated, with a modern upper centre stack but older design elements elsewhere. The leather seating in the SL and quilted leather in the Platinum trim were not the culprits of the dated feel, but rather the rouched material on the door panels and abstract patterned hard plastic inlays.

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, and a manual mode for those needing to manage its 1,587-kilogram towing capacity. 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, a trade-off many buyers were willing to make for the added traction. The FWD Sienna delivered the best fuel efficiency, with 12.6 L/100 km in the city and 9.1 on the highway. The Sienna's low centre of gravity and broad base contributed to decent handling dynamics, though its steering response was twitchy at higher speeds, requiring constant attention.

The 2021 Nissan Armada featured a 5.6-litre V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque with premium fuel, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission. The Armada came standard with automatic 4WD, making it a capable off-roader despite its weight of over 2,700 kilograms. It had a skid plate, double-wishbone suspension, and 23.4 centimetres of ground clearance. The Armada's fuel efficiency was less impressive, with 17.5 L/100 km in the city and 12.9 on the highway. The SUV's handling improved with each revision, though its turning radius and parking manoeuvrability were typical for its size. The Armada boasted a best-in-class towing capacity of 3,856 kilograms, with standard trailer sway control and a trailer brake controller.

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 was easier with captain’s chairs than a bench. The third-row seats folded seamlessly into the floor, though accessing 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 conversions.

The 2021 Nissan Armada, as a full-size SUV, required a step up to enter, aided by standard running boards and in-cabin handles. The interior was spacious, with 10-way power-adjustable front seats and optional second-row captain’s chairs in the Platinum trim. The third-row seating was less comfortable for adults due to limited legroom. The Armada offered 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,413 litres with the third row folded, and 2,692 litres with both rows down. The high load floor made loading challenging for petite individuals. Small-item storage was limited, with the centre console storage bin being a notable exception.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna's base CE trim featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, a long-awaited addition. It also 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 for communicating with rear passengers.

The 2021 Nissan Armada boasted a class-leading 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, offering navigation, a 13-speaker Bose stereo, and wireless Apple CarPlay. It included a WiFi hotspot, USB ports, and a wireless charging pad. The Platinum trim offered a rearview camera mirror and a rear-seat entertainment system. The Armada's steering wheel allowed limited control of the infotainment system, though it lacked the sophistication of other SUVs.

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. It earned five stars from the NHTSA and top scores from the IIHS, with a Superior rating for its driver-assistance features.

The 2021 Nissan Armada had not been fully rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, though it received a three-star rollover rating. It came with Nissan Safety Shield 360, featuring automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane departure warning. Additional safety features included adaptive cruise control and a rear camera mirror, though it lacked advanced driving assist technologies like ProPilot Assist.