2021 Nissan Rogue 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 easy to use. 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, while the XLE added leather-trimmed seating and a power moonroof. The Nightshade Edition, available on the SE trim, added dark accents for a cooler look.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue underwent a complete redesign, giving it a muscular and imposing presence. The updated nose featured a squared-off design with a deeper V-Motion grille, flanked by standard LED headlamps and functional air vents. These elements contributed to a lower coefficient of drag despite the Rogue's boxier proportions. The exterior colour palette was streamlined, with options like black, white, grey, red, and blue, along with two-tone configurations on the Platinum grade. The interior featured cloth seating surfaces, with leatherette upholstery available on the SV AWD model. The Platinum model offered semi-aniline quilted Nappa leather, elevating the interior's appeal. The Rogue's redesign aimed to win over skeptics with its improved styling and interior features.

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 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 most trims. The AWD versions were limited to a 7-passenger configuration, a trade-off many buyers accepted for the added traction. The Sienna's FWD version delivered 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 slightly higher figures. The Sienna's low centre of gravity and broad base contributed to decent handling dynamics, though its twitchy steering required constant attention at higher speeds.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. This engine was a newer direct-injected version, improving performance and fuel efficiency. The Rogue's curb weight ranged from 1,536 kilograms for the FWD S grade to 1,653 kilograms for the AWD Platinum model. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) was less droning than expected, and the Rogue's performance was consistent across the lineup. Fuel efficiency was respectable, with the FWD version achieving 8.9 L/100 km in the city, 7.0 on the highway, and 8.1 combined. AWD versions had slightly higher figures. The Rogue's handling improved significantly with a 27% increase in torsional rigidity, a 40-kilogram weight reduction, and updated suspension and stability control systems, resulting in a planted and stable road feel.

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 configuration. The third-row seats folded seamlessly into the floor, but getting into the backseat was challenging due to the awkward folding mechanism 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 Nissan Rogue featured functional updates across all price points. The cabin was quieter, and a shift-by-wire system added a large storage compartment under the centre stack. The second-row doors opened to 85 degrees, improving access, and headroom was increased. Standard features included heated front seats, a steering wheel, and exterior mirrors. The SV trim added a 360-degree Around View Monitor, remote start, and a panoramic sunroof. The Platinum grade included a redesigned Divide and Hide cargo system, offering 1,028 litres of cargo space with the second row upright and 2,064 litres with them folded. The system allowed for a 5 cm cargo floor height adjustment and a panel to separate cargo.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna's base CE trim came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, supporting Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth connectivity. Higher trims offered an 8-inch screen, navigation, and a JBL 10-speaker premium audio system. The XLE Limited trim featured Driver Easy Speak, an intercom system that broadcasted the driver's voice to the rear speakers, aiding communication with rear passengers.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The SV grade added an in-car Wi-Fi hotspot, four USB ports, and access to NissanConnect services. The Platinum grade upgraded to a 9-inch screen, wireless phone charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay. It also featured a 10.8-inch head-up display and a Bose 10-speaker audio system. However, the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster had readability issues due to low contrast.

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 Nissan Rogue featured the Safety Shield 360 suite, including forward emergency braking, rear emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and high beam assist. The SV model introduced ProPILOT Assist, a hands-on highway driving assist feature. The Rogue received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a four-star safety rating from the NHTSA, with improvements in later versions.