2020 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, part of its third generation, had been around since 2011 and received an update in 2018. Despite these updates, the 2020 model still felt somewhat dated, with occasional upscale touches overshadowed by its overall aged design. The hollow "thud" of the front doors and the instrument panel's simplistic design, reminiscent of Toyota's 2010 parts, highlighted its age. However, this simplicity also 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, while the SE trim introduced a power liftgate and leather upholstery. The XLE Limited trim, which we drove, boasted premium leather seats, a JBL audio system, and additional luxury features. For those prioritizing style, the Nightshade Edition offered dark accents and wheels.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 was designed with a rugged exterior, reminiscent of a traditional SUV, featuring boxy fender flares and chiseled taillights. This aggressive styling set it apart from other compact crossovers. Underneath, the RAV4 was built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, shared with other Toyota models. While the exterior suggested off-road capability, the mechanical components were more akin to a sedan. The RAV4 offered options like the Trail model with a retro Ice Edge roof and the TRD Off-Road package with matte black wheels and all-terrain tires. Inside, the RAV4 featured rugged styling touches, such as large rubberized knobs, but material quality didn't match the price of higher trims. The TRD Off-Road model had SofTex upholstery, but real leather wasn't available, even on the top Limited trim.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 296 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a Sport mode for enhanced throttle and shift response, and a manual mode for towing up to 1,587 kilograms. The Sienna's powertrain was front-wheel drive by default, with all-wheel drive available on most trims, albeit with a 7-passenger configuration. The AWD option was a unique selling point in 2020, appealing to buyers in regions with inclement weather. The Sienna's fuel efficiency was 12.6 L/100 km city, 9.1 highway, and 11.0 combined for FWD, while AWD versions returned 13.4 city, 9.6 highway, and 11.7 combined. 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 Toyota RAV4 featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. The engine achieved 40% thermal efficiency, a level typically found in racing engines, and power peaked at 6,600 rpm. However, the transmission struggled to keep up, and the steering lacked feel, resulting in a less dynamic driving experience. The RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime offered more power and refinement. On the highway, the RAV4 provided a quiet cabin and smooth ride, but its off-road capabilities were more notable. The Trail and TRD Off-Road models featured torque-vectoring AWD, 21.7 cm of ground clearance, and a 3,500-pound towing capacity, though their off-road prowess was limited by suspension articulation 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 was easier with captain's chairs than a bench. The third-row seats folded seamlessly into the floor, but getting into the backseat could be challenging. Toyota also offered mobility access features, such as the Auto Access Seat, making the Sienna a practical choice for those needing mobility conversions.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 provided competitive headroom and visibility, but legroom was slightly behind some rivals. The front seats were comfortable, but the rear seats had flat cushions, making long trips less appealing. Cargo space was above average at 1,059 litres with rear seats in place and 1,977 litres with them folded, though still behind the Honda CR-V. The RAV4's interior featured oversized knobs and easy-to-use controls, but storage space was limited compared to older SUVs.

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 premium audio system. The XLE Limited trim included Driver Easy Speak, an intercom system for communicating with rear passengers.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 featured standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Most trims had a 7-inch touchscreen, while Trail and Limited models had an 8-inch screen, and the RAV4 Prime offered a 9-inch screen. The infotainment system was user-friendly but not flashy, with shortcut buttons for key functions. A JBL premium audio system and SiriusXM satellite radio were available, but the gasoline RAV4 lacked a head-up display.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came 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 top scores from the IIHS, including a Superior rating for its driver-assistance features.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention. However, it missed the highest rating due to mixed headlight scores. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall rating. The RAV4 came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and more. A 360-degree camera system was available in certain packages.