2020 Toyota Sienna vs 2020 Cadillac XT4

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, part of its third generation, had been around since 2011 and received a refresh in 2018. Despite these updates, the 2020 model still felt somewhat dated, with occasional upscale touches. The front doors emitted a hollow "thud" when closed, a detail that many automakers typically refine. The instrument panel appeared to be from Toyota's 2010 parts bin, but its simplicity made the controls user-friendly. The Sienna offered a range of trims, from the well-equipped base L to the luxurious Limited Premium. Each trim added features like power sliding doors, leather upholstery, and a power rear liftgate, catering to various family needs. The Nightshade Edition provided a stylish option for those prioritizing aesthetics.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 employed a "Y" trim level strategy, starting with the standard Luxury trim and offering upgrades to Premium Luxury or Sport. The test vehicle, in Premium Luxury trim, featured front-wheel drive, 20-inch aluminum wheels, and a host of option packages, totaling $45,660. The XT4 boasted crisp, tailored styling, though the front overhang was a bit excessive. Inside, Cadillac used competitive materials, but some areas, like the plain black trim around the power window controls, fell short of luxury expectations. Despite these minor missteps, the XT4 remained visually appealing, especially with its 20-inch wheels.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 296 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It offered a Sport mode for enhanced throttle and shift response, and a manual mode for towing up to 3,500 pounds. The Sienna's front-wheel-drive configuration provided the best fuel economy, with 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while the all-wheel-drive option returned slightly lower figures. The Sienna's low center of gravity and broad base contributed to decent handling dynamics, though its steering response was twitchy at higher speeds, requiring constant attention.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automatic transmission powered either the front or all four wheels. The XT4's lively driving character was attributed to its fat band of torque, but the optional twin-clutch all-wheel-drive system was recommended to limit front-wheel slip and torque steer. The transmission provided smooth shifts, though it hesitated to downshift in Tour mode. The XT4's ride and handling were mixed, with good steering effort in Tour mode but an artificially heavy sensation in Sport mode. The oversized wheels offered impressive grip, and the brakes performed well, but the suspension struggled with speed humps and smaller bumps.

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 could be cumbersome with the bench option. The third row folded seamlessly into the floor, but getting into the backseat was challenging. Toyota also offered mobility access features, such as the Auto Access Seat, making the Sienna a practical choice for families with specific needs.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 provided a comfortable interior for the driver and front passenger, with soft leather, padded armrests, and heated, ventilated, and massaging seats. The rear passenger compartment felt roomier than many small SUVs, though the rear seat cushion lacked support. The XT4's air conditioning system was notably effective, quickly cooling the interior during a heatwave. The cabin offered ample storage space, including umbrella holders and an angled wireless smartphone charger. However, the XT4's cargo space was limited, with 22.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 48.9 cubic feet with the seat folded.

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 connectivity, five USB ports, and a WiFi hotspot with a 6-month trial. The Limited trim added navigation and a JBL 10-speaker premium audio system. The Sienna also featured Driver Easy Speak, an intercom system that broadcasted the driver's voice to the rear speakers, aiding communication with rear passengers.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4's latest Cadillac User Experience (CUE) system was user-friendly, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, and Bluetooth pairing for two devices. The 8-inch display was a touchscreen, with intuitive controls on the center console and steering wheel, and a voice-recognition system. However, the screen size could be larger, and integrating the climate system into the voice-recognition system would be beneficial. The optional 13-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround audio system provided a satisfying listening experience, though the test car lacked features like a head-up display or rear camera mirror.

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 from the NHTSA and Good ratings from the IIHS in various crash tests, with its driver-assistance features receiving a Superior rating.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 added forward-collision warning, front pedestrian braking, low-speed automatic emergency braking, and the Safety Alert Seat system to its standard equipment. Premium Luxury and Sport trims included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and lane-change warning systems. The Driver Awareness Package added automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a following-distance indicator. The XT4 received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA, though the IIHS had not completed all testing.