2020 Toyota Sienna vs 2020 Hyundai Palisade

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade impressed with its bold and luxurious styling, which could easily be mistaken for a high-end brand like Cadillac. Its massive grille and sleek headlights gave it a distinctive presence on the road. The Palisade's design included unique chrome accents and character lines, which added to its visual appeal, though some might have found it a bit busy. Inside, the Palisade continued to exude an upscale feel with a digital instrument panel, a large touchscreen, and ambient lighting in the top-tier Limited trim. The cabin was well-equipped across all trims, offering features like acoustic-laminated glass, power-folding seats, and a host of driver-assistance technologies.

In contrast, the 2020 Toyota Sienna, despite being updated in 2018, felt somewhat dated in its design. The instrument panel seemed reminiscent of older models, though its simplicity made it user-friendly. The Sienna offered a range of trims, from the base L to the luxurious Limited Premium, each with varying features. The base model came with essentials like a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and a WiFi hotspot. Higher trims added conveniences like power sliding doors, leather upholstery, and a power liftgate. The Sienna's design might not have been as striking as the Palisade's, but it provided practicality and functionality, especially for families.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, offering both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options. The Palisade's drive mode dial allowed drivers to switch between Sport, Comfort, Eco, Snow, and Smart modes, adapting to various driving conditions. The vehicle's handling was commendable, especially in Sport mode, where it offered impressive cornering for its size. The Limited trim featured a self-leveling rear suspension, enhancing driving dynamics. Fuel economy for the Palisade was rated at 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 22 combined for FWD, with slightly lower figures for AWD.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 296 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. It also featured an 8-speed automatic transmission, with a Sport mode for enhanced throttle and shift response. The Sienna offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options, with the latter available only in a 7-passenger configuration. The Sienna's handling was surprisingly decent for a minivan, thanks to its low center of gravity and broad base. However, its steering response was twitchy at higher speeds, requiring constant attention. Fuel economy for the Sienna was 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined for FWD, with slightly lower figures for AWD.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade offered a versatile interior with 45.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row down and 86.4 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The third row was spacious enough for adults on longer trips, and the second-row captain's chairs provided comfort and convenience. The Palisade's interior was designed to accommodate families, with multiple cup holders and ample storage space.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna excelled in cargo space, offering a class-leading 150 cubic feet. However, accessing this space required removing the second-row seats, which could be cumbersome. The third row folded seamlessly into the floor, but getting into the backseat was a bit challenging. Toyota offered mobility access features, such as the Auto Access Seat, making the Sienna a practical choice for families with specific needs.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SEL trim offered an optional Driver Guidance package, which included a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation. The Limited trim featured a Harman Kardon premium audio system and advanced tech like a surround-view monitor and a head-up display.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna's base L trim included a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa support. It also offered Bluetooth connectivity, five USB ports, and a WiFi hotspot. The Limited trim added navigation and a JBL 10-speaker premium audio system. The Sienna's Driver Easy Speak system allowed the driver to communicate with rear passengers through the speakers.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. It came with a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, including forward-collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and a unique blind-spot camera system. The digital instrument panel provided clear information to the driver, enhancing safety.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Good rating from the IIHS in various crash tests. It came standard with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P), which included lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, and dynamic cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring was available on higher trims.