2020 Honda Passport vs 2020 Toyota Sienna

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, as part of its third generation, had been around since 2011 and received updates in 2018. Despite these updates, the 2020 model still felt somewhat dated, with an occasionally upscale yet consistently old-fashioned vibe. The hollow "thud" of the front doors when closed was a minor but telling detail of its aging design. The instrument panel, reminiscent of Toyota's 2010 parts bin, was simple and user-friendly, though it lacked modern flair. The Sienna offered a range of trims, from the well-equipped base L to the luxurious Limited Premium, each adding features like power sliding doors, leather upholstery, and a power rear liftgate. The Nightshade Edition aimed to add a touch of style with dark accents and wheels.

The 2020 Honda Passport followed Honda's traditional design approach, offering a practical and reliable choice for buyers. Its exterior suggested a rugged and athletic demeanor, positioned between the Honda Pilot and CR-V in terms of size and capability. The Passport came in four trims: Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite, with the Elite trim being particularly well-equipped. It featured a scratch-resistant matte black grille, 20-inch black alloy wheels, and increased ground clearance, enhancing its off-road potential. Inside, the Passport's cabin was sophisticated, with a mix of durable and soft materials, and it shared many design elements with the Honda Pilot. The Elite trim boasted heated and ventilated front seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, and a spacious interior, making it a comfortable choice for families.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 296 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque through 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 (FWD) configuration provided the best fuel economy, with 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while all-wheel-drive (AWD) versions returned slightly lower figures. The Sienna's low center of gravity and broad base contributed to decent handling dynamics, though its steering response could feel twitchy at higher speeds.

The 2020 Honda Passport featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. While its fuel economy was not its strong suit, the Passport achieved 20 mpg city, 25 highway, and 22 combined with FWD, and slightly lower figures with AWD. The Passport excelled in various driving conditions, from flat roads to mountainous terrain, and its torque-vectoring AWD system provided stability and confidence on challenging routes. It offered Snow, Sand, and Mud drive modes, enhancing its off-road capabilities, and could tow up to 5,000 pounds with the available towing package.

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 configuration. 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 it a practical choice for those needing accessibility options.

The 2020 Honda Passport was praised for its practicality, with a right-sized design that provided good visibility and spacious seating for four adults. It lacked a third row but offered height-adjustable seatbelts and three full LATCH connections for child safety seats. The Passport's seats were comfortable, similar to those in the Honda Pilot and Odyssey, and it featured tri-zone automatic climate control and second-row sunshades. With 41.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and ample under-floor storage, the Passport was well-suited for family trips. Its interior design emphasized functionality, with thoughtful storage solutions and easy-to-clean surfaces.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, supporting Amazon Alexa and Apple CarPlay. It 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 Driver Easy Speak feature allowed the driver to communicate with rear passengers through the speakers, a handy innovation for families.

The 2020 Honda Passport's base Sport model featured a 5.0-inch display, while higher trims received an 8.0-inch Display Audio infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The system was user-friendly, with pinch, swipe, and tap functionality. Standard features included Bluetooth, a USB port, and a seven-speaker audio system, with higher trims offering additional features like a 10-speaker audio system, satellite radio, and a WiFi hotspot. The Passport's dashboard design, borrowed from the Pilot, was functional but slightly outdated.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) suite, including lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and dynamic cruise control. It earned five stars from the NHTSA and top scores from the IIHS, with optional blind-spot monitoring available on lower trims and standard on higher trims.

The 2020 Honda Passport prioritized safety, earning good scores from the IIHS and NHTSA and being named an IIHS Top Safety Pick. It featured the Honda Sensing suite, including collision mitigation braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims offered additional safety features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic detection.