2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2020 Ford Escape

The 2020 Ford Escape was a striking compact crossover, boasting a large grille reminiscent of the outgoing Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks, with headlights inspired by the Ford GT supercar. Its design was more curvaceous than its predecessor, which had a more upright rear end. Despite this change, the Escape remained one of the most attractive small SUVs, trailing only behind the Mazda CX-5 and Jeep Cherokee. Inside, the Escape featured a modern cabin with a forward-looking design that retained basic controls in familiar places. The test model included a fully digital instrument panel and a floating infotainment screen, contributing to its sleek, contemporary aesthetic.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid aimed to redefine the minivan's image with a more SUV-like appearance. It featured a wide grille and sleek LED headlamp arrays, giving it an assertive stance. The sliding side doors were sculpted with a body line that swooped up from the rocker panels, enhancing its visual appeal. The Sienna's fit and finish were of superb Toyota quality. Inside, the emphasis on width was evident, with horizontal lines creating a spacious feel. The dashboard was simple and uncluttered, with controls conveniently clustered on the center stack. The seating position was higher than a sedan's, offering a comfortable ride, while the materials and surfaces throughout the cabin had a premium feel.

The 2020 Ford Escape offered a diverse range of engine options, setting it apart from its competitors. It featured a new 3-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, standard in the S, SE, and SEL trims. Additionally, a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, available on the SEL and standard on the Titanium, delivered 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, providing brisk acceleration. The hybrid drivetrain, combining a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with electric power, produced 198 horsepower and was standard on the SE Sport and available on the Titanium. A plug-in hybrid variant was also offered. The Escape's steering was direct and taut, with strong, responsive brakes, giving it an athletic feel. The most efficient version was the non-Sport hybrid, achieving 44 mpg city, 37 highway, and 41 combined.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid marked 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 was standard, with all-wheel drive available on all trims. The Sienna used an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which, while efficient, tended to blunt throttle response. The Sienna's handling was significantly improved, with minimal body roll and a comfortable ride. Its EPA fuel economy ratings were impressive, with FWD models achieving 36 mpg city, 36 highway, and 36 combined, while AWD models were rated at 35/36/35 mpg combined.

The 2020 Ford Escape's sleeker design resulted in reduced cargo space compared to its predecessor. It offered 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, dropping to 34.4 cubic feet in hybrid models. With the backseat folded down, it provided 65.4 cubic feet or 60.8 cubic feet in upper-level trims. Despite the reduction, the Escape emphasized passenger space, offering ample headroom and legroom for second-row passengers. The front seats provided commanding seating positions with good visibility. The Escape also featured numerous storage solutions, including deep water-bottle holders and multiple trays and compartments.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna excelled in convenience functions, crucial for minivans. It featured a standard third-row 60/40-split bench that easily stored away into the floor. The second row slid up to 25 inches, facilitating access to the third row. The cabin boasted 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. Its hybrid battery was cleverly tucked under the front seats, preserving cargo space. Power-operated sliding doors and a rear tailgate responded to kick motions, enhancing family-friendliness.

The 2020 Ford Escape's base trim featured a small 4.2-inch audio control screen, which stood out as an eyesore in the floating screen design. The SE trim upgraded to an 8-inch Sync screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Titanium trim included a head-up display (HUD) with a flip-up screen, which was less effective for taller drivers. The Escape's technology offerings were solid, but the base trim's small screen was a drawback.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna came with a standard nine-inch touchscreen across all grades, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. It 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. Higher trims featured a Premium Audio + JBL package with 12 speakers and a rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. The driver enjoyed a color multi-information display and, in Platinum trims, a 10-inch color HUD. The Sienna's technology suite was comprehensive and well-integrated.

The 2020 Ford Escape came equipped with a full array of airbags, a reversing camera, traction control, and a tire-pressure-monitoring system. It earned the best overall score of Good from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) in all phases of testing. The Escape also featured Ford Co-Pilot360, a suite of advanced safety systems, including forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver drowsiness monitor were standard.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, featuring dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, pre-collision system with pedestrian and bicyclist detection, and more. It also had the Star Safety System, 10 airbags, and LATCH connectors. A rear-seat reminder system and tire pressure monitoring system were standard. The Sienna's crash-test ratings were not yet released, but the 2020 model received favorable ratings from IIHS and a Five-Star Overall Rating from NHTSA.