2020 Ford Expedition vs 2020 Toyota Sienna

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 looked like it came from Toyota's 2010 parts bin, though its simplicity made the controls easy to use. The Sienna offered various trims, from the base L to the Limited Premium, each adding more features and luxury. The SE trim, recommended by CarGurus, included a power rear liftgate, which was crucial for families. The Nightshade Edition added dark accents and wheels for those who prioritized style.

The 2020 Ford Expedition, last redesigned for the 2018 model year, was a cleanly styled full-size SUV. While some might have found the design boring, its clean lines aged well. The King Ranch trim featured 22-inch aluminum wheels, a mesh grille insert, LED headlights, and exclusive gray-painted lower exterior trim. Inside, the King Ranch had special Del Rio leather in Mesa over Ebony, with numerous King Ranch cattle-brand logos. Despite the luxurious cabin, there was quite a bit of hard plastic, especially in the lower-level XLT trim. Spending upwards of $75,000 on a King Ranch or Platinum trim made the hard plastic less acceptable, making the Lincoln Navigator a more luxurious alternative.

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 dash-mounted shifter had a Sport mode that enhanced throttle and shift response. The Sienna offered stout acceleration in normal Drive mode, with a manual mode available for its 3,500-pound towing capacity. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, but all trims except the base L had an all-wheel-drive (AWD) option. 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, though its twitchy steering response required constant attention at higher speeds.

The 2020 Ford Expedition featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 375 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 470 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm. A 10-speed automatic transmission sent power to the rear wheels, with an optional four-wheel-drive (4WD) system available. The Expedition had a ground clearance of 9.8 inches, except for the MAX 4WD, which had 9.7 inches. The standard Expedition could tow 9,300 pounds with rear-drive and 9,200 pounds with 4WD, while the MAX versions could tow 9,000 pounds. The Expedition's adaptive damping suspension, standard on the King Ranch, provided a smooth ride, though the oversized 22-inch wheels and 285/45 tires sometimes made the ride busy on imperfect pavement. The independent rear suspension design improved ride and handling, conserving interior space for passengers and cargo. The King Ranch with rear-wheel drive (RWD) averaged 17.7 mpg, slightly below the official EPA rating of 19 mpg.

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 a bench. The third row folded seamlessly into the floor, but getting into the backseat could be challenging. Toyota also offered mobility access features, like the Auto Access Seat, making the Sienna a practical choice for those needing mobility conversions.

The 2020 Ford Expedition was designed to tow, carry cargo, and haul people. The King Ranch trim featured power running boards for easy access, with comfortable and accommodating seats throughout. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with a heated steering wheel. The second-row captain’s chairs were also heated, providing first-class accommodations. The third-row bench was genuinely comfortable for adults, thanks to the independent rear suspension design. The standard-length Expedition offered 19.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, while the long-wheelbase MAX offered 34.3 cubic feet. Folding the third row provided 57.5 cubic feet (73.3 with the MAX), and folding the second row created 104.6 cubic feet (121.5 with the MAX).

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 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 Ford Expedition featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 3, which was easy to use but sometimes slow to respond. It supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing users to bypass some of Sync 3’s shortcomings. Other highlights included FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, a navigation system, an available Bang & Olufsen premium sound system, a rear-seat entertainment system with dual screens, and Pro Trailer Backup Assist. The trailer technology was especially helpful for frequent towing, providing a knob on the dashboard to control the trailer’s direction.

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 but standard on XLE and Limited trims. The Sienna earned five stars in crash testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and top scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2020 Ford Expedition came with Ford Co-Pilot360, a collection of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), as standard equipment. These included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Expedition earned 5-star ratings in every NHTSA test and a 4-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS had not tested the Expedition at the time of the review.