2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2020 Cadillac XT4

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 employed a “Y” trim level strategy, starting with the standard Luxury trim and offering upgrades to Premium Luxury or Sport trim. The test vehicle featured the Premium Luxury trim, which emphasized comfort over sportiness. It came with front-wheel drive, Silver Radiant metallic paint, 20-inch aluminum wheels, a navigation system, a Bose premium audio system, and several option packages, totaling $45,660. The XT4's exterior was visually appealing, especially with the 20-inch alloy wheels, and had a crisp, tailored styling. The interior was pleasant, with competitive quality materials, though some elements like the plain black trim around the power window controls were less impressive.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid aimed to redefine the minivan's image with a more SUV-like appearance. It featured a wide grille, sleek LED headlamp arrays, and an assertive stance from the side. The sliding side doors were re-engineered for a sculpted look, and alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 20 inches filled the arches. The rear design maintained a wide and low look. Inside, the Sienna emphasized width with horizontal lines and a higher seating position than a sedan. The dashboard was simple and uncluttered, with most controls on the upper part of the center stack. The center console was practical, with ample storage and a bridge design that left space for a tray below. The second and third rows were comfortable for adults, with the second row sliding for maximum utility.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided a lively driving character, especially with the fat band of torque available from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm. The nine-speed automatic transmission powered the front or all four wheels, with the FWD model achieving an EPA-rated 26 mpg. However, the test vehicle returned 24.8 mpg. The XT4's handling was a mixed bag, with good steering effort in Tour mode but an artificially heavy sensation in Sport mode. The suspension struggled with speed humps and smaller bumps, and the 20-inch wheels contributed to road noise. Despite these issues, the XT4 offered impressive grip and fun handling on smooth pavement.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, producing 243 horsepower. FWD was standard, with AWD available on all trims. The AWD system used a separate electric motor for the rear wheels, simplifying the design. The Sienna's electronically controlled CVT delivered smooth power but lacked throttle response. Four selectable drive modes were available, with "Sport" offering a slightly livelier experience. The new TNGA front suspension and independent rear trailing arm suspension improved handling, minimizing body roll and providing a comfortable ride. The Sienna Hybrid's standout feature was its fuel economy, with FWD models achieving 36 mpg city, highway, and combined, and AWD models rated at 35/36/35 mpg.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 offered a comfortable interior for the driver and front passenger, with soft leather, padded armrests, and heated, ventilated, and massaging seats. The rear seats were heated and had air conditioning vents, providing ample legroom but lacking support. The XT4's air conditioning system was highly effective, quickly cooling the cabin during a heatwave. The climate controls were elegantly arranged, and the cabin had plenty of storage space. However, cargo space was limited, with 22.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 48.9 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. A hands-free power liftgate was available.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna excelled in convenience and functionality, with a standard third-row 60/40-split bench that stored easily into the floor. The second row slid up to 25 inches, making access to the third row easy. The cabin had 16 cupholders and ample storage cubbies. The Sienna could carry a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed, offering 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101.0 cubic feet behind the first row. The hybrid battery was cleverly tucked under the front seats, preserving cargo space. Power-operated sliding doors and tailgate responded to kick motions, adding to the family-friendly features.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 featured the latest version of the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) system, which was more user-friendly than previous versions. The test vehicle included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, Cadillac Connected Access services, and near-field communication pairing to Bluetooth. The 8-inch touchscreen was complemented by intuitive controls on the center console and steering wheel, and a voice-recognition system. However, the screen could have been larger, and integrating the climate system into the voice-recognition system would have been beneficial. The optional 13-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround audio system provided a satisfying listening experience, though the test car lacked some advanced features like a head-up display or a rear camera mirror.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid was packed with technology features, starting with a standard nine-inch touchscreen offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and multiple USB ports. Connectivity included a year’s trial of Safety Connect and Remote Connect, a ten-year trial of Service Connect, and a three-month trial of AT&T WiFi Connect. Bluetooth hands-free and audio streaming were standard, with Qi-compatible charging available on higher trims. Audio systems ranged from a six-speaker stereo to a 12-speaker JBL system with Dynamic Navigation. A rear-seat entertainment system was available, featuring an 11.6-inch display, remote, and wireless headphones. The driver enjoyed a color multi-information display, with a 10-inch head-up display available on Platinum models. A digital rearview mirror was also available, enhancing visibility when the rear view was obstructed.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 added several standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, front pedestrian braking, low-speed automatic emergency braking, and the Safety Alert Seat system. It also included a rear-seat reminder, Teen Driver technology, and two years of automatic collision notification and emergency assistance. Premium Luxury and Sport trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and lane-change warning systems. The Driver Awareness Package included automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a following-distance indicator. Adaptive cruise control and other advanced features required the Driver Assist Package. The XT4 received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA, though the IIHS had not completed all testing.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, pre-collision system with pedestrian and bicyclist detection, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, and road sign assist. The Star Safety System added enhanced vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology. The Sienna had 10 airbags and LATCH connectors, with a rear-seat reminder system standard. A tire pressure monitoring system and inflator kit were standard, with a spare tire optional. The 2021 Sienna had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the 2020 model received good ratings from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.