2020 Jeep Wrangler 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 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, reminiscent of Toyota's 2010 parts bin, was simple but easy to use. The Sienna offered various trims, from the base L with 17-inch alloy wheels and a 7-inch touchscreen to the Limited Premium with leather seats, a JBL audio system, and a DVD entertainment system. The SE trim, recommended by CarGurus, featured 19-inch alloy wheels, a mesh grille, and a power rear liftgate, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited was unmistakable on the road with its circular headlights, seven-slat grille, and boxy styling. The exposed hinges and bolts, fold-down windshield, and removable doors gave it an industrial look. Inside, Jeep maintained a retro design with circular climate vents and gauges, emphasizing utility over style. The Wrangler Unlimited came in trims like Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon. The Sport was basic with a 5-inch touchscreen and manual windows, while the Sport S added power windows and air conditioning. The Sahara offered more upscale features, and the Rubicon was the off-road king with mud-terrain tires and a lifted suspension. Special editions like the Willys and Black and Tan added unique visual and functional upgrades.

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's low center of gravity and broad base provided decent handling dynamics, though its twitchy steering required constant attention at higher speeds. Standard safety tech helped mitigate this issue.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited offered a base 3.6-liter V6 engine with 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission. A turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque was also available. New for 2020 was a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque, providing excellent low-speed performance. The diesel engine returned 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined. The Wrangler's off-road capabilities were unmatched, with features like locking front and rear differentials and a disconnecting front sway bar. However, it had a rough ride and significant road noise on the highway.

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 like the Auto Access Seat, making the Sienna a practical choice for families needing extra space and accessibility.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, available in two-door and four-door versions, featured removable doors and a fold-down windshield. The most popular feature was the droppable and removable roof, available in soft and hardtop versions. The Wrangler Unlimited offered about 72 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear bench lowered flat, less than many less-capable SUVs. Despite its limited cargo space and comfort, the Wrangler's unique features and off-road capabilities made it a standout choice for adventure seekers.

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. 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 raising their voice, a useful feature for families.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler's Sport and Sport S trims featured a basic 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth and USB connectivity. The Rubicon and Sahara came with a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, available as an option on the Sport S. The Sahara and Rubicon could also be equipped with an 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system, adding navigation, HD Radio, real-time traffic and weather updates, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and an Alpine premium audio system.

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 scores from the IIHS, including a Superior rating for its driver-assistance features.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited's standard safety equipment included airbags, electronic roll mitigation, and a backup camera. Optional safety packages added rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, adaptive cruise control, and full-speed forward-collision warning. These features were particularly helpful given the Wrangler's awkward sightlines and off-road capabilities.