2020 Toyota Sienna vs 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, part of its third generation, had been around since the 2011 model year. Despite a 2018 update that introduced 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 seemed to come from Toyota's 2010 parts bin, though its simplicity made the controls easy to use. The Sienna offered various trims, from the well-equipped base L to the luxurious Limited Premium, with features like leather seats, a JBL premium audio system, and a DVD entertainment system. The Nightshade Edition added dark accents and wheels for those prioritizing style.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, available in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, offered a bold and experimental design that might not appeal to everyone. The interior featured a dramatic dual-cowl dashboard and diamond-textured speaker grilles, with high-contrast color schemes in gray or beige. While the materials quality didn't match the high-style design, the build quality was exceptional, and the controls operated with refinement. The Santa Fe's interior was characterized by thoughtful attention to detail, with creative storage spaces and stain-resistant fabric in cloth-seat versions. The Limited trim included luxurious features like heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a massive panoramic sunroof.

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 front-wheel-drive (FWD) version returned 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while the all-wheel-drive (AWD) version 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.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a standard 185-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, but the 2.0T trim with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine was the preferred choice. The 2.0T engine produced 235 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, available between 1,450 and 3,500 rpm. The Santa Fe's eight-speed automatic transmission funneled power to the front wheels, with optional AWD available. The Santa Fe 2.0T had a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds and returned 23 mpg in combined driving, with our test model achieving 22.1 mpg. The Santa Fe offered a smooth ride, decent handling, and light-effort steering, making it a good daily driver. The Limited trim provided a quiet highway ride with laminated windshield and front window glass.

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 could be cumbersome with the bench seat. 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 those needing mobility conversions.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe provided thoughtful attention to detail, with creative storage spaces and stain-resistant fabric in cloth-seat versions. The Santa Fe's back seat was comfortable for adults, with air conditioning vents, rear side-window sunshades, and heated bottom cushions. However, the Santa Fe fell short in cargo space, offering 35.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat and a maximum of 71.3 cubic feet. The Santa Fe's hands-free "smart" liftgate was a convenient feature, sensing the key fob's proximity and opening automatically.

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 Driver Easy Speak intercom system allowed the driver to communicate with rear passengers without straining their voice.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe's infotainment system was a standout feature, with stereo control knobs, main menu shortcut buttons, and a programmable button. Every Santa Fe included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The SEL trim added SiriusXM satellite radio and Blue Link connected services with three free years of service. The Limited trim featured a larger 8-inch display, navigation, a surround-view camera, wireless smartphone charging, and a 12-speaker Infinity surround sound system. The head-up display provided valuable data within the driver's line of sight.

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

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe earned a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The SEL trim added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and a safe exit assist system. The SEL Convenience Package included an ultrasonic occupant alert system, while the Limited trim featured a Blind-Spot View Monitor.