2020 Toyota Sienna vs 2020 Buick Encore GX

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, part of its third generation, had been around since the 2011 model year. Despite a 2018 update that incorporated newer infotainment tech and minor changes, the 2020 version still felt dated. The front doors emitted a hollow “thud” when slammed, indicating a lack of attention to fit and finish. The instrument panel appeared to be from Toyota's 2010 parts bin, though its simplicity made the controls easy to use. The Sienna offered various trims, from the base L with 17-inch alloy wheels and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, to the Limited Premium with leather seats, a JBL premium audio system, and a DVD entertainment system. The SE trim, recommended by CarGurus, featured 19-inch alloy wheels, a mesh grille, and a power rear liftgate, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX was slightly larger than the standard Encore, with a more mature and complete appearance. It featured a larger grille, revised headlights, and a reworked rear end. The cabin, while similar to the smaller Encore at first glance, revealed a higher level of care, style, and fit and finish upon closer inspection. The Encore GX came in three trims: Preferred, Select, and Essence. The Preferred trim included 18-inch aluminum wheels, LED daytime running lights, and a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Select trim added roof rails, heated front seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The top-tier Essence trim featured leather seating, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a 120-volt power outlet. The Essence test vehicle also had the ST package, which included a unique grille, sporty lower front spoiler, and red accents.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 296 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The Sienna offered stout acceleration in normal Drive mode, with a Sport mode for livelier throttle and shift response. It also had a manual mode, useful for its 3,500-pound towing capacity. The Sienna's power was routed to the front wheels, with an optional AWD available for all trims except the base L. The FWD Sienna returned 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while AWD versions returned 18/24/20. The Sienna handled surprisingly well for a minivan, with a low center of gravity and broad base providing decent handling dynamics. However, its twitchy steering response at higher speeds required constant attention to keep the van moving straight on the highway.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX came standard with a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The test model featured a 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque, sent through a CVT to the front wheels. The AWD version, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, dropped torque to 162 pound-feet. The 1.3-liter engine provided solid power for its size, though it felt underwhelming on the low-end. Despite occasional vibrations from the engine, the overall driving experience was smooth, with responsive and well-weighted steering. The suspension soaked up bumps nicely, and the Encore GX handled corners with confidence, living up to Buick's "near-luxury" label.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna excelled in cargo space, offering 150 cubic feet, more than 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. Toyota also offered mobility access features, such as the Auto Access Seat, making the Sienna a practical choice for those needing mobility conversions.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX provided added space in the rear seats and cargo area. It offered 23.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 50.2 cubic feet with them folded, more than the standard Encore but slightly less than the Buick Envision. The rear legroom allowed the rear seats to fold down without moving the front seats. The rear load floor could be lowered to open up more space. The Encore GX's interior featured additional trays and cubby space, with deep in-door cubbies and cup holders designed for large water bottles. The center console compartment was deep, and the space ahead of it, created by moving the shift column, was useful for everyday driving.

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

The 2020 Buick Encore GX came standard with GM’s latest touchscreen infotainment system, featuring an intuitive layout, crisp graphics, and responsive performance. It supported Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Options included a wireless charging pad, navigation, and a rear camera mirror. The test car featured a head-up display (HUD) projected via a small plastic display from the dash. This cost-cutting measure avoided the need for a special windshield but felt clunky and took a moment to deploy.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came standard with the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) suite, including lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning 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 in many IIHS crash tests, with its standard driver-assistance features earning a Superior rating.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX came standard with forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, pedestrian detection, and a following distance indicator. It also featured the Teen Driver System, allowing speed and volume limitations for secondary keys. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring with lane change alert and rear cross-traffic alert. The test model also had a surround-view camera system, providing clear, high-quality images and helpful for parking.