2020 Acura RDX vs 2020 Toyota Sienna
Overview | |
MSRP$29,715 | MSRP$37,800 |
Listings436 | Listings417 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews7.8 out of 10 | Expert reviews8.5 out of 10 |
Pros
Cons
| Pros
Cons
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2020 Toyota Sienna Reviews SummarySince the second half of the 20th century, each decade has had a hot-topic family car, and, as we’ve noted in a number of reviews this year, the crossover is our current darling vehicle. Before the crossover, there were big, truck-based SUVs. Before that, there were station wagons. And for the past 35 years, there's always been the minivan. The Dodge Caravan has been widely considered the Patient Zero of the minivan segment. From there, seemingly everyone joined the party, including Toyota, Nissan, Ford, Chevy, GMC, Volkswagen, Oldsmobile, Ford, and more. Heck, even Mercury had a “Nautica Edition” version of the Villager. The minivan was king once, the crossover is king now, and some other type of vehicle will likely dominate in the near future. But in all this, the 7- and 8-passenger minivans will always represent the ultimate in versatility. The crossover is an image-forward fad with a dash of usability, but the minivan continues to prove itself as the pinnacle of practicality. The 2020 Toyota Sienna is neither the newest nor flashiest minivan out there, but when you absolutely need space for people and gear, there’s nothing better. Additionally, the Sienna is the only minivan to offer all-wheel drive (AWD), which is something specifically desired by many car buyers. | |
2020 Acura RDX Reviews SummaryIt should no longer be breaking news that, to new-car buyers, crossovers are king. Within that market, the small luxury crossover segment has been growing at an incredible rate. Every automaker wants to get a piece, but Acura has long been an early adopter with its 2-row, 5-passenger RDX. The Acura RDX, built at Honda's Marysville, Ohio, assembly plant, was first introduced for the 2007 model year. It’s a crossover built in America for American shoppers. From the start, the RDX enjoyed great success. It entered its third generation with the 2019 model year, and it offers plenty of space, creature comforts, and safety tech. That 2019 model carries over to the 2020 vehicle we tested. The RDX competes with the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, Audi Q5, and BMW X3, and it holds its own against all three. It offers more content at a lower price, and in some cases, it has better safety technology. It also competes with the Lexus NX, Jaguar F-PACE, and Lincoln MKC. We reviewed the 2019 RDX and came away with a very favorable conclusion. But seeing as this is one of the best selling small luxury SUVs—and Acura’s best selling vehicle—it seemed like a good time to take a closer look and unpack more of what we like and dislike about the RDX. We’ll also determine which trim of the RDX provides the best value to shoppers. | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine3.5L 296 hp V6 | Engine2.0L 272 hp I4 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity2 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower296 hp @ 6200 rpm | Horsepower272 hp @ 6500 rpm |
MPG City19 | MPG City22 |
MPG Highway26 | MPG Highway28 |
Engine | |
Engine Name3.5L 296 hp V6 | Engine Name2.0L 272 hp I4 |
Torque263 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm | Torque280 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm |
Horsepower296 hp @ 6200 rpm | Horsepower272 hp @ 6500 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City19 | MPG City22 |
MPG Highway26 | MPG Highway28 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity2 | Seating Capacity5 |
Key Features | |
Sunroof/Moonroof | Sunroof/MoonroofStandard |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall4 | Front Crash Overall4 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space | Cargo Space29.5 cu ft |
Curb Weight4375 lbs | Curb Weight3783 lbs |
Height68.9 in | Height65.7 in |
Length200.2 in | Length186.8 in |
Width78.1 in | Width74.8 in |
Wheelbase119.3 in | Wheelbase108.3 in |
Maximum Payload | Maximum Payload1001 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity | Maximum Towing Capacity1500 lbs |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $29,715 | $37,800 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | ||
Expert reviews | 7.8 out of 10Read full review | 8.5 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
Cons
| Pros
Cons
|
Summary | Since the second half of the 20th century, each decade has had a hot-topic family car, and, as we’ve noted in a number of reviews this year, the crossover is our current darling vehicle. Before the crossover, there were big, truck-based SUVs. Before that, there were station wagons. And for the past 35 years, there's always been the minivan. The Dodge Caravan has been widely considered the Patient Zero of the minivan segment. From there, seemingly everyone joined the party, including Toyota, Nissan, Ford, Chevy, GMC, Volkswagen, Oldsmobile, Ford, and more. Heck, even Mercury had a “Nautica Edition” version of the Villager. The minivan was king once, the crossover is king now, and some other type of vehicle will likely dominate in the near future. But in all this, the 7- and 8-passenger minivans will always represent the ultimate in versatility. The crossover is an image-forward fad with a dash of usability, but the minivan continues to prove itself as the pinnacle of practicality. The 2020 Toyota Sienna is neither the newest nor flashiest minivan out there, but when you absolutely need space for people and gear, there’s nothing better. Additionally, the Sienna is the only minivan to offer all-wheel drive (AWD), which is something specifically desired by many car buyers. | It should no longer be breaking news that, to new-car buyers, crossovers are king. Within that market, the small luxury crossover segment has been growing at an incredible rate. Every automaker wants to get a piece, but Acura has long been an early adopter with its 2-row, 5-passenger RDX. The Acura RDX, built at Honda's Marysville, Ohio, assembly plant, was first introduced for the 2007 model year. It’s a crossover built in America for American shoppers. From the start, the RDX enjoyed great success. It entered its third generation with the 2019 model year, and it offers plenty of space, creature comforts, and safety tech. That 2019 model carries over to the 2020 vehicle we tested. The RDX competes with the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, Audi Q5, and BMW X3, and it holds its own against all three. It offers more content at a lower price, and in some cases, it has better safety technology. It also competes with the Lexus NX, Jaguar F-PACE, and Lincoln MKC. We reviewed the 2019 RDX and came away with a very favorable conclusion. But seeing as this is one of the best selling small luxury SUVs—and Acura’s best selling vehicle—it seemed like a good time to take a closer look and unpack more of what we like and dislike about the RDX. We’ll also determine which trim of the RDX provides the best value to shoppers. |
Video | ||
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 3.5L 296 hp V6 | 2.0L 272 hp I4 |
Drive Train | FWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 2 | 5 |
Horsepower | 296 hp @ 6200 rpm | 272 hp @ 6500 rpm |
MPG City | 19 | 22 |
MPG Highway | 26 | 28 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 3.5L 296 hp V6 | 2.0L 272 hp I4 |
Torque | 263 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm | 280 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm |
Horsepower | 296 hp @ 6200 rpm | 272 hp @ 6500 rpm |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 19 | 22 |
MPG Highway | 26 | 28 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 2 | 5 |
Key Features | ||
Sunroof/Moonroof | Standard | |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 4 | 4 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 29.5 cu ft | |
Curb Weight | 4375 lbs | 3783 lbs |
Height | 68.9 in | 65.7 in |
Length | 200.2 in | 186.8 in |
Width | 78.1 in | 74.8 in |
Wheelbase | 119.3 in | 108.3 in |
Maximum Payload | 1001 lbs | |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity | 1500 lbs | |
CarGurus experts rate the 2020 Toyota Sienna as 6 out of 10 and the 2020 Acura RDX as 9 out of 10 for look and feel.
The 2020 Toyota Sienna, in its third generation, feels dated but occasionally upscale. It offers trims including L, LE, SE, SE Premium, XLE, XLE Premium, Limited, and Limited Premium. The base L comes well-equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, while the LE adds dual power sliding doors and easy-clean upholstery. The SE trim is recommended for its sporty features and power rear liftgate. The XLE and Limited trims offer additional luxury features, and the Nightshade Edition adds a cool, dark aesthetic.
The 2020 Acura RDX boasts a sleek and modern design, earning a 9 out of 10 rating. It features a spacious and stylish cabin with comfortable red leather upholstery. The RDX offers trims including the base model, Technology Package, A-Spec Package, and Advance Package. The A-Spec model adds visual upgrades and ventilated front seats, while the Advance Package includes premium features like a 10.5-inch head-up display.
















CarGurus experts rate the 2020 Toyota Sienna 7 out of 10 and the 2020 Acura RDX 9 out of 10 for performance.
The Sienna is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 296 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, offering stout acceleration and a 3,500-pound towing capacity. It provides the option of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, with the latter being a unique selling point in its class. The Sienna offers decent handling dynamics but has twitchy steering at higher speeds.
The 2020 Acura RDX is equipped with a turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. It offers solid acceleration and precise handling, with the option of front-wheel drive or Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD). The RDX provides great fuel economy and a comfortable driving experience.
CarGurus experts rate both the 2020 Toyota Sienna and the 2020 Acura RDX 9 out of 10 for form and function.
The Sienna, with its spacious cargo area of 150 cubic feet, offers class-leading versatility. However, accessing the full cargo space requires removing the second-row seats. The Sienna also offers mobility access features, making it a practical choice for families with specific needs.
The RDX provides a spacious and comfortable cabin with 29.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 58.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. It offers convenient storage features and a well-designed interior layout.
CarGurus experts rate the 2020 Toyota Sienna 9 out of 10 and the 2020 Acura RDX 6 out of 10 for technology.
The Sienna receives is equipped with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth connectivity, and a WiFi hotspot. The Limited trim offers additional features such as navigation and a JBL premium audio system, along with the innovative Driver Easy Speak intercom system.
The RDX features a vivid widescreen infotainment system but is operated via a touchpad, which may be a drawback for some users. It offers standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, WiFi hotspot, and a 9-speaker audio system. The Technology Package and A-Spec model add further tech enhancements, including a premium ELS audio system.
Both the 2020 Toyota Sienna and the 2020 Acura RDX receive a 9 out of 10 safety rating from CarGurus experts.
The Sienna comes standard with a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, including lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, dynamic cruise control, and automatic high beams. It also earns top ratings in crash testing by the NHTSA and the IIHS.
The RDX offers a full complement of driver-assistance features, including lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control. The Technology Package and Advance Package add additional safety technologies, such as blind-spot monitoring and a 360-degree surround-view camera.
CarGurus highlights

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for 2020 Toyota Sienna is 7.8 out of 10, while the 2020 Acura RDX scores 8.5 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2020 Acura RDX emerges as the top choice, offering a compelling combination of performance, technology, safety, and cost-effectiveness in the luxury compact SUV segment. With its spacious and comfortable interior, advanced infotainment system, and strong safety features, the Acura RDX provides an excellent value proposition for consumers seeking a versatile and refined vehicle.
Choose the 2020 Acura RDX if:
- You seek a spacious and comfortable luxury SUV with a well-designed interior and premium features, as the RDX offers a stylish and modern cabin with advanced technology.
- You value a strong balance of performance, fuel efficiency, and safety features, as the RDX provides solid acceleration, precise handling, and a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance technologies.
- You are looking for a cost-effective luxury compact SUV with a fantastic value proposition, as the RDX offers a competitive starting price and a range of trims with premium amenities.
Choose the 2020 Toyota Sienna if:
- You prioritize versatile cargo space and practicality, as the Sienna offers class-leading 150 cubic feet of cargo area.
- Mobility access features are essential for your family's specific needs, as the Sienna offers the Auto Access Seat as an affordable option.
- You prefer a minivan with a range of trims and features, catering to various preferences and requirements.
CarGurus highlights

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for 2020 Toyota Sienna is 7.8 out of 10, while the 2020 Acura RDX scores 8.5 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2020 Acura RDX emerges as the top choice, offering a compelling combination of performance, technology, safety, and cost-effectiveness in the luxury compact SUV segment. With its spacious and comfortable interior, advanced infotainment system, and strong safety features, the Acura RDX provides an excellent value proposition for consumers seeking a versatile and refined vehicle.
Choose the 2020 Acura RDX if:
Shop Now- You seek a spacious and comfortable luxury SUV with a well-designed interior and premium features, as the RDX offers a stylish and modern cabin with advanced technology.
- You value a strong balance of performance, fuel efficiency, and safety features, as the RDX provides solid acceleration, precise handling, and a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance technologies.
- You are looking for a cost-effective luxury compact SUV with a fantastic value proposition, as the RDX offers a competitive starting price and a range of trims with premium amenities.
Choose the 2020 Toyota Sienna if:
Shop Now- You prioritize versatile cargo space and practicality, as the Sienna offers class-leading 150 cubic feet of cargo area.
- Mobility access features are essential for your family's specific needs, as the Sienna offers the Auto Access Seat as an affordable option.
- You prefer a minivan with a range of trims and features, catering to various preferences and requirements.

By: CarGurus + AI
At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.








































