2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2020 Dodge Durango

The 2020 Dodge Durango carried its styling over from a 2014 update, with its third generation dating back to a complete redesign in 2011. The connections to the Charger muscle sedan were evident, but the Durango was based on a decade-old platform. Its cabin design was straightforward but felt somewhat dated, especially compared to the Jeep Grand Cherokee, which shared its platform but received more significant updates. The Durango was in desperate need of a refresh, which was expected for the 2021 model year.

Trims for the 2020 Durango included SXT, GT, Citadel, R/T, and SRT. The SXT came with 18-inch wheels, three-zone climate control, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The GT added 20-inch wheels, a sport-inspired grille, and remote start. The R/T featured a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine, rain-sensing wipers, and leather-and-suede upholstery. The Citadel was the luxury trim with unique chrome touches and a power moonroof. The SRT had a more aggressive look, ventilated front seats, and unique leather-and-suede seats with an embossed SRT logo.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid aimed to change the perception of minivans with a more SUV-like appearance. It featured a wide grille, LED headlamp arrays, and a sculpted body line that swooped up from the rocker panels to bulge over the rear wheels. Alloy wheel sizes ranged from 17-inch to 20-inch, depending on the grade. The Sienna's fit and finish were superb, with a big rear window that managed to look wide and low for a minivan.

Inside, the Sienna emphasized width with horizontal lines. The seating position was higher than a sedan's, and the dashboard was simple and uncluttered. The center console housed the gear selector lever, cup holders, and a big storage compartment beneath the center armrest. The second and third rows were comfortable for adults, with the second row sliding fore and aft for maximum utility and comfort.

The 2020 Dodge Durango offered a range of engines across its trims. The SXT, GT, and Citadel came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, also available on the Citadel. The range-topping SRT came with a 6.4-liter Hemi V8, branded the "392," delivering 475 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. All engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or available all-wheel drive (AWD) depending on the trim.

The V6 engine provided decent power, while the 5.7-liter V8 in the R/T offered confident acceleration. The SRT was a different beast altogether, with strong low-end power and impressive high-speed performance. The SRT also featured a performance-tuned suspension and Brembo performance brakes. The Dodge SRT performance pages in the 8.4-inch touchscreen provided detailed engine status updates, a G-force meter, and drive mode customization.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid was Toyota's first hybrid minivan, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors producing a combined 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available on all trim levels. The Sienna used an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which delivered power smoothly but tended to blunt throttle response. Four selectable drive modes (Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport) were available.

Handling was significantly improved over the outgoing Sienna, thanks to new TNGA front suspension and steering and independent rear trailing arm suspension. The Sienna Hybrid achieved impressive fuel economy numbers, with FWD models rated at 36 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 36 mpg combined, while AWD models were rated at 35/36/35 mpg combined.

The 2020 Dodge Durango provided 17.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 47.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.5 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. The Durango's towing capacity ranged from 6,200 pounds to 8,700 pounds, depending on the configuration. The cabin offered plenty of space for occupants, with comfortable front seats and a second row that could be configured with a bench or captain's chairs. The third row was best suited for kids, but access was easy thanks to large second-row doors and easy-fold seats.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid excelled in convenience functions, with a third-row 60/40-split bench that stored away easily and a second row that slid up to 25 inches. The cabin had 16 cupholders (15 with the spare tire option) and plenty of storage cubbies. The Sienna could carry a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood inside with the tailgate closed, with cargo measurements of 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101.0 cubic feet behind the first row. The Sienna's 288-volt Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery pack was cleverly tucked under the front seats, not impacting cargo space.

The 2020 Dodge Durango's SXT and GT trims came with a 7-inch touchscreen, while an 8.4-inch touchscreen was optional on the GT and standard on higher trims. The Uconnect infotainment system was user-friendly, with a tablet-inspired layout and dock icons for easy navigation. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and higher trims came with navigation, SiriusXM Travel Link, and premium audio systems, including a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid featured a nine-inch touchscreen standard on all grades, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM. Connectivity options included Safety Connect, Remote Connect, Service Connect, and AT&T WiFi Connect. Higher trims offered Qi-compatible charging, a 1500-watt inverter, and a Premium Audio + JBL package with 12 speakers. A rear-seat entertainment system was available, and the driver enjoyed a color multi-information display and a 10-inch color Head-Up Display (HUD) on Platinum models.

The 2020 Dodge Durango came with front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, hill-start assist, and trailer sway control. Rear parking sensors were available on the SXT and standard on higher trims. Optional driver-assistance features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision avoidance, and lane-departure warning. The Durango earned a four-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Moderate score for driver’s side small-front overlap testing from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, and road sign assist. The Sienna had 10 airbags, LATCH connectors, a rear-seat reminder system, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The 2020 Sienna received “Good” ratings from IIHS for most tests and a Five-Star Overall Rating from NHTSA.