2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2020 Jeep Renegade

The 2020 Jeep Renegade was easily recognizable with its signature Jeep round headlights, 7-slot grille, and trapezoidal wheel arches, all wrapped in a purposeful yet expressive design. The primary trim levels included Sport, Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk, with the latter being the best for off-roading. Special editions ranged from the affordable Jeepster to the pricey High Altitude. Pricing started at $25,210 for the base Renegade Sport trim level, but our test car, the Renegade High Altitude, was loaded with extras, bringing the MSRP to $36,515, including the destination charge of $1,495. This version featured extra-cost paint, trendy dark gray 19-inch wheels, and a dual-pane panoramic glass roof, giving it a surprisingly grown-up look. However, the interior, dominated by hard plastic and an all-black color scheme, looked inexpensive and unimaginative despite the fancy details.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid aimed to change the perception of minivans with a more SUV-like appearance. A wide grille emphasized the minivan’s width, and LED headlamp arrays gave a sleek look. The sliding side doors were nicely sculpted, and alloy wheel sizes ranged from 17-inch to 20-inch, depending on the grade. The Sienna’s fit and finish were superb, typical of Toyota quality. Inside, the emphasis on width with horizontal lines made the Sienna feel spacious. The dashboard was simple and uncluttered, with most controls clustered on the upper part of the center stack. The center console housed the gear selector lever, cup holders, and a big storage compartment beneath the center armrest. The second and third rows were comfortable for adults, with the second row sliding fore and aft for maximum utility and comfort.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade offered two engine options: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 177 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque. We tested the turbocharged engine, which was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard on base models, while all-wheel drive was available on higher trims. Our test vehicle had the Active Drive AWD system, which disconnected the driveline to the rear wheels to save on fuel and automatically activated when the front wheels slipped. The turbocharged engine provided peak torque at just 1,750 rpm, making the Renegade feel energetic, but turbo lag and a transmission calibrated for fuel economy resulted in uneven powertrain response. The Renegade averaged 23.6 mpg, below the EPA estimate of 26 mpg, and had a small 12.7-gallon fuel tank, limiting its range to about 250 miles.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on all trim levels. The Sienna used an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which delivered power smoothly but blunted throttle response. Four selectable drive modes (Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport) allowed for some customization of the driving experience. Handling was significantly improved over the previous model, with minimal body roll and a comfortable ride. The big news for the Sienna Hybrid was its impressive fuel economy, with FWD models achieving 36 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 36 mpg combined, while AWD models were rated at 35/36/35 mpg combined.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade’s boxy exterior design made the interior feel larger than many of its competitors. The panoramic glass roof added to the sense of space. The eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat made it easy to get comfortable, but the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. Rear seat space was cramped, and there were no air conditioning vents for rear-seat occupants. Cargo volume was limited, with 18.5 cubic feet behind the back seat and 50.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna excelled in convenience functions, with a third-row 60/40-split bench that stored away easily and a second row that slid up to 25 inches for easy access. The cabin had 16 cupholders (15 with the spare tire option) and plenty of storage cubbies. The Sienna could carry a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed, and cargo measurements were 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, not impacting cargo space. Both side sliding doors and the rear tailgate were power-operated and responded to kick motions for easy access.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade featured the Chrysler Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen display. The system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. SiriusXM satellite radio provided connected services, and a new Kenwood premium audio system offered good sound. The Renegade also had a comprehensive driver information center and a parking assist system for both parallel and perpendicular spaces.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna came with a nine-inch touchscreen standard on all grades, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and multiple USB ports. 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 with an 11.6-inch display was available on higher trims. The driver benefited from a color multi-information display, a 10-inch Head-Up Display on Platinum models, and a digital rearview mirror on Limited and Platinum models.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade offered an Advanced Tech Group with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Safety and Security Group added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The Renegade earned a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and commendable scores from the IIHS, though it did not retain its Top Safety Pick rating from 2019.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, and road sign assist. The Star Safety System included enhanced vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology. The Sienna had 10 airbags, LATCH connectors, a rear-seat reminder system, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Crash-test ratings for the 2021 model were not yet available, but the 2020 Sienna received high marks from both the IIHS and NHTSA.