2020 Toyota Sienna vs 2020 Toyota RAV4

The 2020 Toyota RAV4, following its 2019 redesign, showcased a bolder and more angular appearance, setting it apart from its traditionally cute ‘ute competitors like the Mazda CX-5 and Honda CR-V. The Adventure trim, introduced in the previous year, enhanced its off-roading capabilities with a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, multiple driving modes, and downhill assist control. The new TRD Off-Road trim for 2020 took these capabilities further with smaller, lighter matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels, all-terrain tires, and a special TRD suspension setup. The TRD Off-Road trim also featured unique interior touches like TRD logos, rubber floor mats, and a rubber cargo mat, contrasting with the otherwise high-quality cabin materials.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, part of its third generation introduced in 2011, felt somewhat dated despite a 2018 update that added newer infotainment tech. The instrument panel and the hollow “thud” of the front doors highlighted its age. The Sienna offered a range of trims from the base L to the Limited Premium, each adding various features like dual power sliding doors, leather upholstery, and a power rear liftgate. The SE trim, recommended by CarGurus, included sport instrumentation, heated front seats, and a power rear liftgate. The Limited trim added luxury touches like leather front seats, a JBL premium audio system, and a navigation system.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 came with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The RAV4 Hybrid variant offered 219 horsepower and up to 40 mpg in combined driving, though it wasn’t available in the TRD Off-Road trim. The 8-speed automatic transmission generally performed well, though it occasionally struggled with gear selection. The TRD Off-Road model featured a torque-vectoring AWD system with multiple terrain settings and 8.6 inches of ground clearance, making it capable on various surfaces. Despite its off-road focus, the RAV4 TRD Off-Road handled urban environments well, though its all-terrain tires weren’t ideal for fast mountain road driving. The test vehicle averaged 23.4 mpg, slightly below the EPA estimate of 27 mpg.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 296 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The Sienna offered both FWD and AWD options, with AWD available only in the 7-passenger configuration. The FWD Sienna achieved 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while the AWD version returned 18/24/20. In real-world driving, the Sienna averaged 18.3 mpg. The Sienna’s low center of gravity and broad base contributed to decent handling dynamics, though its twitchy steering required constant attention at higher speeds. The Sienna’s handling was better than some SUVs, providing a smooth ride and confidence in various driving scenarios.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 offered easy ingress and egress with well-placed seating hip points. The driver’s seat was 8-way adjustable, while the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment but still provided good support. The TRD Off-Road trim featured SofTex upholstery, which could trap sweat on hot days, but the optional Weather Package added heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The rear seat provided ample legroom for adults and children, with air conditioning vents and USB ports for added comfort. The RAV4 offered 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down. A robust roof rack and an optional hands-free power liftgate further enhanced its utility.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna excelled in cargo space, offering 150 cubic feet, surpassing competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey. However, accessing this space required removing the second-row seats, which was easier with captain’s chairs than with a bench seat. The third row folded seamlessly into the floor, but getting into the backseat could be challenging due to the awkward folding mechanism of the second-row seats. Toyota also offered mobility access features like the Auto Access Seat, making the Sienna a practical choice for those needing such accommodations.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 featured a user-friendly infotainment system with a 7- or 8-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim. The system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, and multiple connected services packages. A 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was available with a 3-month trial. The TRD Off-Road trim’s 8-inch system had some glare issues but was otherwise easy to use, with menu shortcut buttons and separate climate controls. The optional Technology Package added wireless smartphone charging, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and a digital rear-view mirror with adjustable camera settings.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna’s base L trim came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system supporting Amazon Alexa and Apple CarPlay. Standard tech features included Bluetooth, five USB ports, and a WiFi hotspot with a 6-month trial. Higher trims added features like navigation and a JBL 10-speaker premium audio system. The Limited trim included Driver Easy Speak, an intercom system that broadcasted the driver’s voice to the rear speakers, making it easier to communicate with rear passengers.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0), which included advanced safety features like Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, radar adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, front and rear parking assist with automated braking, and blind spot assist with rear cross-traffic alert. The RAV4 received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, but only for models with full LED, curve adaptive headlights. The RAV4 also included a free 1-year subscription to Safety Connect services, offering automatic collision notification, an SOS emergency assistance button, and enhanced roadside assistance.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came standard with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P), which included lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning and avoidance with pedestrian detection, dynamic cruise control, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring was optional on lower trims and standard on XLE and Limited trims. The Sienna earned five stars in NHTSA crash testing and top scores from the IIHS in several areas, including side crash, rollover crash, and moderate front overlap crash. Its standard driver-assistance features also received a Superior rating from the IIHS.