2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2020 GMC Acadia

The 2020 GMC Acadia was positioned as a premium brand, intended to be nicer than Chevys but not as luxurious as Cadillacs. Built on the same platform as the Cadillac XT5, the Acadia shared powertrains and assembly origins in Spring Hill, Tennessee. The Acadia Denali, with its all-wheel drive, Satin Steel Metallic paint, and Technology Package, had a window sticker price of $52,385. The design changes for 2020 were most noticeable in the front, with squared-off headlights and a boxier grille. Inside, the cabin saw minor updates, including new electronic transmission shift switches and a redesigned center console. Despite these changes, the Acadia Denali's interior still featured a mix of soft surfaces and hard plastic panels, with leather upholstery and wood trim adding a touch of luxury.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid aimed to change the perception of minivans with a more SUV-like appearance. The wide grille and LED headlamp arrays gave it a sleek look, while the sculpted sliding side doors and various alloy wheel sizes added to its assertive stance. The interior emphasized width with horizontal lines, and the seating position was higher than a sedan's, offering a comfortable ride. The dashboard was simple and uncluttered, with most controls clustered on the upper part of the center stack. The center console featured a bridge design, providing additional storage space. The second and third rows were comfortable for adults, with the second row offering flexibility with either captain’s chairs or a bench seat.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered three engine options. Lower trims had a 193-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The Acadia SLT featured a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 230 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The AT4 and Denali variants came with a 310-hp 3.6-liter V6 engine. All engines were paired with a new nine-speed automatic transmission, and the Acadia was available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. The AT4 had an exclusive dual-clutch AWD system and all-terrain tires. The V6 engine and nine-speed automatic provided smooth and refined power, with a towing capacity of up to 4,000 pounds. The test vehicle averaged 20.1 mpg in combined driving, slightly below the EPA rating of 21 mpg.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine combined with two electric motors, producing 243 horsepower. FWD was standard, with AWD available on all trim levels. The AWD system used a separate electric motor for the rear wheels, simplifying the mechanical setup. The Sienna used an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which prioritized fuel efficiency over throttle response. The Sienna Hybrid offered four selectable drive modes: Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport. Handling was improved with new front suspension and independent rear trailing arm suspension. The Sienna Hybrid achieved impressive EPA fuel economy ratings of 36 mpg combined for FWD models and 35 mpg combined for AWD models.

The 2020 GMC Acadia could seat five, six, or seven passengers, depending on the trim level and configuration. The Denali trim offered 6-passenger seating with standard second-row captain’s chairs, with a bench seat available as a no-cost option. The front seats were wide and supportive, with 10-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The second-row captain’s chairs were also heated, and rear passengers had access to air conditioning vents, USB ports, and a household-style power outlet. Cargo space was limited to 12.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 41.7 cubic feet with the third row folded down, and 79 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid excelled in convenience and cargo handling. The third row was a 60/40-split bench that stored away easily, and the second row slid up to 25 inches for easy access. The cabin featured 16 cupholders and ample storage cubbies. The Sienna could carry a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. Cargo space measured 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 hybrid battery was cleverly tucked under the front seats, preserving cargo space. The Sienna could tow up to 3,500 pounds, and power-operated sliding doors and tailgate added to its family-friendly features.

The 2020 GMC Acadia included essential infotainment features like Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The 8-inch touchscreen had a higher resolution display and improved voice recognition. The test vehicle featured navigation and a Bose premium sound system. New USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, a high-definition surround-view camera, and a rear camera mirror were among the technology upgrades for 2020.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid came with a nine-inch touchscreen standard on all grades, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM. Connectivity features 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, featuring an 11.6-inch display, remote, and wireless headphones. The driver benefited from a color multi-information display, a 10-inch Head-Up Display on Platinum models, and a digital rearview mirror on higher trims.

The 2020 GMC Acadia came with standard safety features like a rear-seat reminder system, Teen Driver technology, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. However, advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) like forward collision warning and low-speed automatic emergency braking were only available on higher trims. The Acadia received 5-star ratings in most NHTSA crash tests but had incomplete IIHS data.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, featuring dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, and road sign assist. The Star Safety System and 10 airbags were standard, along with a rear-seat reminder system and tire pressure monitoring system. The 2020 Sienna received high safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA, but 2021 ratings were not yet available.