2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2020 Hyundai Palisade

Hyundai's 2020 Palisade was a standout in terms of styling, with a bold design that could easily be mistaken for a luxury brand. Its massive grille and thin headlights gave it a distinctive look, complemented by a unique LED character line. The chrome strip running from the A-pillar to the rear door added a touch of elegance, though it made the design a bit busy. Inside, the Palisade's cabin exuded luxury with a fully digital instrument panel, a large touchscreen, and a center console filled with controls. The top-of-the-line Limited trim featured personalized ambient lighting, leather upholstery, and a host of other premium features.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid aimed to redefine minivan aesthetics with a more SUV-like appearance. Its wide grille and sleek LED headlamp arrays gave it a modern look, while the sculpted sliding side doors added a touch of sophistication. The interior emphasized width and comfort, with a higher seating position and a well-organized dashboard. The center console was practical, featuring multiple cup holders and a large storage compartment. The second and third rows were spacious and comfortable, making the Sienna a versatile family vehicle.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The Palisade offered various drive modes, including Sport, Comfort, Eco, Snow, and Smart, which adjusted the vehicle's performance based on driving conditions. The Limited trim featured a self-leveling rear suspension, enhancing its handling and ride comfort. Fuel economy for the Palisade was 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 22 combined for the FWD model, and 19/24/21 for the AWD model.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid, on the other hand, featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine combined with two electric motors, producing a total of 243 horsepower. The Sienna's hybrid system was paired with an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT), which prioritized fuel efficiency over throttle response. The Sienna offered four drive modes: Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport. Handling was improved with a new TNGA front suspension and independent rear trailing arm suspension. The Sienna's fuel economy was 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 Hyundai Palisade excelled in versatility, offering 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 additional comfort and convenience. The Palisade's power-folding third-row seats added to its practicality, although they operated slowly.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid was designed with convenience in mind, featuring a 60/40-split third-row bench that stored easily into the floor. The second row could slide up to 25 inches, facilitating access to the third row. The Sienna offered 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. The hybrid battery was cleverly tucked under the front seats, preserving cargo space. The Sienna also featured power-operated sliding doors and tailgate, which responded to kick motions for added convenience.

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

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid boasted a nine-inch touchscreen standard across all grades, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The Sienna also offered a range of connectivity features, including Safety Connect, Remote Connect, Service Connect, and AT&T WiFi Connect. Higher trims featured a Premium Audio + JBL package with 12 speakers, Dynamic Navigation, and surround sound. A rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display was available on XLE and above trims. The driver benefited from a multi-information display and an optional 10-inch Head-Up Display on Platinum models.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award. It came standard with a range of driver-assistance features, including forward-collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, driver-attention warning, and parking sensors. The Palisade's digital instrument panel displayed parking sensor warnings and featured a unique blind-spot camera system.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which offered dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, pre-collision system with pedestrian and bicyclist detection, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, and road sign assist. The Sienna also featured the Star Safety System, 10 airbags, LATCH connectors, a rear-seat reminder system, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Crash-test ratings for the 2021 Sienna were not yet available, but the 2020 model received high marks from both IIHS and NHTSA.