2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB had a boxy and tall design compared to other small Mercedes SUVs. It sat on a front-wheel-drive platform with an optional 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. The vehicle featured a long, flat hood leading to an upright windshield, large side windows, and a nearly vertical rear liftgate. The front and rear overhangs were symmetrical, contributing to its balanced appearance. The GLB prioritized interior volume over sleek aesthetics, highlighted by robust standard roof rails.

Painted in Mountain Gray metallic and equipped with the AMG Line design package and 20-inch AMG wheels, the test vehicle exuded style and attitude. Prices started at $36,600, but the tested GLB 250 4Matic, loaded with options, had a sticker price of $55,890. The interior featured dual 10.25-inch screens, ambient lighting, and a mix of MB-Tex leatherette and Dinamica suede seats. The design blended high style with simplicity, though some metallic trim pieces revealed its more affordable status within the Mercedes lineup.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid aimed to redefine minivan aesthetics with a more SUV-like appearance. It featured a wide grille, sleek LED headlamp arrays, and an assertive stance. The sliding side doors were sculpted with a body line that bulged over the rear wheels, requiring re-engineered hinges and slides. Alloy wheels ranged from 17 to 20 inches, depending on the trim, and the rear design managed to look wide and low for a minivan. The exterior fit and finish were superb, reflecting Toyota's quality standards.

Inside, the Sienna emphasized width with horizontal lines. The seating position was higher than a sedan's but not quite as high as a full-size SUV's. The dashboard was simple and uncluttered, with controls clustered below the infotainment screen. The center console featured a gear selector, cupholders, and a large storage compartment. The second and third rows were comfortable for adults, with the second row sliding fore and aft for maximum utility. The materials and surfaces throughout the cabin had a good feel, and the leather-wrapped steering wheel was beefy and pleasant to hold.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB came in GLB 250 and GLB 250 4Matic specifications, both equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 221 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque between 1,800 and 4,000 rpm. Mercedes claimed a 0-60 mph time of 6.9 seconds, though it felt faster due to the engine's wide torque band and the snappy eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The DCT powered the front wheels unless the 4Matic AWD was optioned, which optimized grip and performance.

The test vehicle, equipped with an adaptive damping suspension and 20-inch AMG wheels, delivered a soft, pillowy ride in Comfort mode, ideal for city and highway driving. In Sport mode, the suspension provided greater road feel, and the turbo powertrain responded eagerly. The GLB's unusual driving position and large windows made it fun to drive on mountain roads, despite its modest engine specifications. However, the brakes faded prematurely during enthusiastic driving, cutting short an otherwise enjoyable experience. The fuel economy was 21.4 mpg, below the EPA's 26-mpg estimate.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, producing a combined 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on all trims. 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 smooth and efficient power delivery over throttle response.

The Sienna Hybrid's handling was significantly improved over the previous model, thanks to new front suspension and steering and an independent rear trailing arm suspension. Body roll was minimal, and the ride was comfortable and easy. The big news was the EPA fuel economy ratings: 36 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 36 mpg combined for FWD models, and 35/36/35 mpg for AWD models.

The Mercedes-Benz GLB offered generous interior dimensions, even larger than the more expensive GLC. It could be optioned with a third row of seats, a feature unavailable in other Mercedes SUVs except the GLS. The GLB comfortably accommodated four adults, with ample headroom, tall seating positions, and large windows. The second-row seat slid forward and back, allowing for extra space for third-row passengers or cargo.

The front seats offered power adjustment but lacked heating and ventilation unless optioned. The second-row seat could fit three people, but two was more comfortable due to the vehicle's narrow width. Cargo space measured 22 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 62 cubic feet with the seats folded down, thanks to the traditional SUV roofline.

The Toyota Sienna Hybrid excelled in convenience functions, with a standard third-row 60/40-split bench that stored away easily. The second row slid up to 25 inches, facilitating access to the third row. The cabin featured 16 cupholders (15 with the spare tire option) and ample storage cubbies. The Sienna could carry a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed, and 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 Sienna's hybrid battery was cleverly tucked under the front seats, preserving cargo space. Both side sliding doors and the rear tailgate were power-operated and responded to kick motions, a family-friendly feature. The Sienna could tow up to 3,500 pounds, adding to its versatility.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB's Premium Package, costing an extra $2,200, was highly recommended. It included a blind-spot warning system, keyless entry, and twin 10.25-inch displays with lush graphics and fast response. The MBUX infotainment system, standard on all models, featured natural voice recognition, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. The Multimedia Package added a navigation system with augmented video, using the forward-facing camera to provide a live video feed with turn-by-turn directions.

The Parking Assistance Package included a high-definition surround-view camera system and a semi-autonomous active parking assistance system. The 12-speaker Burmester premium sound system was a standout feature, offering excellent sound quality and stylish aluminum speaker grilles.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid 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 a year's trial of Safety Connect and Remote Connect, a ten-year trial of Service Connect, and a three-month trial of AT&T WiFi Connect. Bluetooth hands-free and audio streaming were standard, with Qi-compatible charging available on higher trims.

Audio systems ranged from a six-speaker stereo on the LE to a 12-speaker JBL system with Dynamic Navigation on higher trims. A rear-seat entertainment system was available, featuring an 11.6-inch 1080p display, a remote, and wireless headphones. The driver enjoyed a color multi-information display, with a 10-inch Head-Up Display available on Platinum models. The digital rearview mirror, available on Limited and Platinum trims, provided a clear view when the rear was obstructed.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB came standard with several safety features, including a driver monitoring system, backup camera, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and Pre-Safe front collision preparation. Optional features included second-row side-impact airbags and blind-spot monitoring with Exit Warning Assist. The Driver Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, evasive steering assistance, and an automatic emergency stop system. However, crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were not available at the time of publication.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including 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 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 and LATCH connectors, with a rear-seat reminder system and tire pressure monitoring system standard. Crash-test ratings for the 2021 model were not yet available, but the 2020 Sienna received high marks from IIHS and NHTSA.