2021 Volvo XC40 vs 2020 Toyota Sienna

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, in its third generation, had been around since the 2011 model year and received updates in 2018. Despite these updates, the 2020 version 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 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 offered premium touches like leather-trimmed seating and a power moonroof. The Nightshade Edition added dark accents for those prioritizing style.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 featured traditional SUV styling with a tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, fitting well with Volvo's lineup. The XC40 Recharge, an electric variant, had subtle differences like a blanked-off grille and model-specific alloy wheels. It shared its platform with the Polestar 2, designed to accommodate both gasoline and electric powertrains. The interior was minimalist yet premium, with real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery. The design was coherent, with elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen blending seamlessly. Unlike many competitors, Volvo maintained a high standard of interior design without compromising on quality.

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 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 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 low centre of gravity and broad base contributed to decent handling dynamics, though its steering response was twitchy at higher speeds.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model at the top. The gasoline options included a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with the T4 producing 187 horsepower and the T5 delivering 248 hp. The Recharge model featured dual electric motors, providing 402 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque, with a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The Recharge accelerated from zero to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, while the T5 and T4 took 6.4 and 8.5 seconds, respectively. The XC40 emphasized comfort and quietness, with excellent ride quality even on rough roads. The Recharge model offered one-pedal driving and a towing capacity of 900 kilograms.

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 third-row seats folded seamlessly into the floor, but getting into the backseat was challenging. Toyota also offered mobility access features, such as the Auto Access Seat, making it easier for those needing mobility conversions.

The 2021 Volvo XC40, both in gasoline and electric versions, had limited passenger and cargo space compared to rivals like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. The Recharge's frunk was small due to powertrain hardware. The gasoline XC40 was more competitive in interior space against the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. Volvo compensated with clever storage solutions, including a removable trash bin and large door bins. The storage cubby was designed to hold a phone securely, with a wireless charging pad optional.

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

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge introduced the Android Automotive OS, featuring Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. It also supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. The system included a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge model offered OTA update capability, allowing for software updates without visiting a dealership. It also lacked a start button, starting automatically when the driver entered with the key fob.

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 in NHTSA crash tests and a "Good" rating from the IIHS in several areas. The Sienna's driver-assistance features received a "Superior" rating from the IIHS.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA for gasoline models. The XC40 came with standard safety features like lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. The Recharge model included Volvo's latest sensor suite, scalable for future driver aids.