2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Honda CR-V, part of Honda's fifth generation of compact crossovers, was a familiar and fun sight. Its curvy and car-like exterior bore a family resemblance to Honda's sedans, with a design that leaned more towards a station wagon rather than an SUV. The CR-V's exterior defined modern family transportation, but the interior told a different story. The mish-mash of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery clashing with low-quality plastics, reminded drivers that the CR-V, even in its pricier models, was an upgraded commodity car rather than a premium product.

Meanwhile, the 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid aimed to break away from the traditional minivan stigma. It presented an SUV-like appearance with a wide grille, sleek LED headlamps, and a well-sculptured side profile. The reworked sliding side doors added to its assertive stance. The interior emphasized width with horizontal lines, feeling neither like a school bus nor quite as commanding as a full-size SUV, but offered a pleasant and comfortable ride. The dashboard was simple and uncluttered, with a bridge-like center console that provided clever storage.

For the 2020 CR-V, Honda simplified the lineup by eliminating the base engine and standardizing the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine across all trims. This engine produced 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Honda's well-engineered CVT enhanced the CR-V's quick and efficient performance, especially in Sport drive mode. The CR-V's car-like demeanor carried over to its handling—a nimble and comfortable drive with minimal body roll, aided by its low curb weight. Front-wheel-drive models delivered a commendable 30 miles per gallon combined, with the all-wheel-drive versions managing 29.

In comparison, Toyota's 2021 Sienna Hybrid was a debut in hybrid minivans, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. The Sienna utilized an electronically controlled CVT, which, while efficient, slightly dulled throttle response compared to traditional automatics. However, the improved suspension and handling provided a smooth ride. The Sienna's EPA fuel economy was impressive, with 36 mpg in both city and highway driving for FWD models, and slightly lower for AWD versions.

Honda's mastery in maximizing space was evident in the CR-V. The cabin offered ample headroom and legroom, with excellent visibility from the driver's seat. Clever storage solutions, like the deep well console and two-position load floor, enhanced its utility. The CR-V boasted 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, making it highly convenient for families.

The Sienna, on the other hand, excelled in accommodating passengers and cargo. Its standard third-row seats could easily be stowed, while the second row offered up to 25 inches of sliding movement for flexible space configuration. With the second and third rows adjusted, the Sienna could handle up to 101.0 cubic feet of cargo. Ingeniously, the Sienna’s hybrid battery was tucked under the front seats, preserving cargo space. Additionally, the Sienna could tow up to 3,500 pounds.

The CR-V started to show its age in terms of technology. The LX trim's 5-inch screen was underwhelming, and even the 7-inch touchscreen in higher trims felt small compared to competitors. The lack of hard buttons made the system challenging to navigate. Though Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, they seemed like afterthoughts. Nonetheless, Honda provided ample USB ports in the EX trim and above, and the Touring trim featured a wireless phone charger.

The Sienna packed a wealth of tech features. All trims came with a nine-inch touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, along with multiple USB ports. Advanced connectivity options included trials of various Toyota-connected services and AT&T WiFi Connect. Higher trims offered Premium Audio with JBL, a rear-seat entertainment system, and even a 10-inch Head-Up Display on the Platinum model. The available digital rearview mirror was a notable upgrade for maximum visibility.

Honda’s CR-V came standard with the "Honda Sensing" system, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. EX trims and above added blind-spot monitoring. The CR-V earned a five-star rating from NHTSA and was an IIHS Top Safety Pick, with the Touring trim offering superior LED headlights.

The Sienna Hybrid included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, with an extensive suite of driver assistance features standard on all trims. This included radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, and pedestrian detection. The Sienna also boasted 10 airbags, LATCH connectors, a rear-seat reminder system, and a tire pressure monitoring system. While crash-test ratings for the 2021 Sienna were pending, the previous model had received high marks from safety organizations.