2020 Toyota Sienna vs 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

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 Sienna 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 base L to the 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 cool with dark accents and wheels.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite being a decade old, maintained a design that looked just right. Traditional Jeep styling cues like the 7-slot grille and trapezoidal fenders gave it a balanced appearance suitable for both rugged trails and upscale venues. Prices ranged from $32,150 for the Laredo to $52,495 for the Summit, with high-performance SRT and Trackhawk versions available. The Limited X trim, priced at $53,275, featured a ventilated hood, sport-themed front bumper, and 20-inch aluminum wheels. However, the interior materials, especially in models priced over $50,000, were disappointing, with hard plastics detracting from the overall feel.

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 available for livelier throttle and shift response. It also had a manual mode, which was rarely used but could assist with its 3,500-pound towing capacity. The Sienna primarily routed power to the front wheels, but AWD was 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, though its twitchy steering at higher speeds required constant attention.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured a standard 295-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6 engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission, offering satisfying acceleration and an EPA-rated 21 mpg in combined driving. For those seeking more power, three V8 engines were available, including a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 360 hp, a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 in the SRT with 475 hp, and a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the Trackhawk with 707 hp. The Grand Cherokee offered both RWD and multiple 4WD systems, with the Limited X trim featuring Quadra-Trac II 4WD. On pavement, the Grand Cherokee's driving dynamics were mixed, with impressive grip but excessive suspension movements. The steering and brakes were average, attempting to balance daily driving and off-roading capabilities.

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 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 such capabilities.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee provided seating for five and 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the backseat, expanding to 68.3 cubic feet with the backseat folded down. The Limited X trim featured heated and 8-way power-adjustable front seats, though ventilated seats were not available. The thick, leather-wrapped steering wheel and padded armrests added comfort. Rear passengers enjoyed adequate legroom, rear air conditioning vents, and USB ports. Interior storage was decent, with a handy tray in the center console and sizable door-panel bins, though the glovebox and center armrest bin were small.

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. Higher trims added features like navigation and a JBL 10-speaker premium audio system. The Limited trim also included Driver Easy Speak, an intercom system that broadcasted the driver’s voice to the rear speakers.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee's Uconnect infotainment system featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen display, navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, and SiriusXM Guardian connected services. A 4G LTE WiFi data plan supported up to eight devices. The Limited X trim included a 9-speaker Alpine premium sound system, though higher trims offered a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system. Unique to Jeep’s Uconnect was the Off-Road Pages app, providing information related to off-roading excursions.

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 ratings from the IIHS in several areas, including a Superior rating for its driver-assistance features.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered three collections of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). ProTech I included a reversing camera, parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. ProTech II added low-speed forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Advanced ProTech II included full-speed forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, semi-autonomous parking assist, and rain-sensing wipers. The Grand Cherokee received a 4-star overall rating from NHTSA and mixed ratings from the IIHS, with Marginal and Poor ratings in some crash tests.