2020 Toyota Sienna vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, 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 instrument panel reminiscent of Toyota's 2010 parts bin. The Sienna's design occasionally appeared upscale, but the hollow "thud" of its doors suggested otherwise. However, the simplicity of its controls made them user-friendly. 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 added a touch of style with dark accents and wheels.

In contrast, the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar struck a balance between the sleek Evoque and the boxy Range Rover. Its low roof and steeply-raked windshield gave it a unique profile, while its broad front end maintained the intimidating presence typical of Land Rovers. The Velar's short overhangs improved off-road capabilities, and its optional air suspension provided up to 9.8 inches of ground clearance. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sporty styling elements, including larger air intakes and quad exhaust tips. Inside, the Velar featured high-quality leather and metal trim, creating a cockpit-like feel that was both luxurious and slightly cramped.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 296 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It offered stout acceleration, with a Sport mode for livelier throttle response. The Sienna's front-wheel-drive version delivered the best fuel economy, achieving 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while the all-wheel-drive option provided added traction in inclement conditions. Despite its size, the Sienna handled surprisingly well, though its twitchy steering required constant attention at higher speeds.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar introduced a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine in the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, generating 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This allowed the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of 177 mph. The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid and refined feel, while its retuned four-wheel drive and air-suspension logic enhanced performance. However, the Velar felt large on tight roads, and its chassis wasn't as sharp as other performance SUVs. The rest of the Velar's powertrain lineup included a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four and a 3.0-liter supercharged V6, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive.

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. The Sienna's 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 it a practical choice for those needing accessibility options.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, positioned between small and midsize luxury SUVs, offered 15.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. Its avant-garde styling limited headroom and created a claustrophobic feel inside. The Velar's cockpit-like front seating area was cramped, with limited legroom. However, it had a respectable towing capacity, with the V6 and SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition models capable of towing up to 5,511 pounds.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Amazon Alexa and Apple CarPlay compatibility. It also included Bluetooth connectivity, five USB ports, and a WiFi hotspot. The Limited trim 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.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar utilized the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, featuring dual 10.0-inch touchscreens, a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The upper screen handled smartphone and media functions, while the lower screen managed vehicle settings and climate control. The Velar also included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls, though the system's slow responses were a drawback.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came standard 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 in NHTSA crash testing and received top ratings from the IIHS for its driver-assistance features.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and front and rear parking aids. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available as part of an option package. However, Land Rover's driver-assist offerings were less sophisticated compared to competitors.