2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB vs 2020 Toyota Sienna

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, part of its third generation, had been around since 2011 and received a refresh in 2018. Despite these updates, the 2020 model still felt somewhat dated, with occasional upscale touches overshadowed by its overall aged design. The hollow "thud" of the front doors and the instrument panel's simplistic design, reminiscent of Toyota's 2010 parts bin, highlighted its age. However, this simplicity made the controls 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, appealing to those who wanted a minivan with a cool factor.

In contrast, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB presented a boxy and tall design, maximizing interior space on a compact footprint. It featured a long, flat hood, upright windshield, and nearly vertical rear liftgate, emphasizing function over form. The GLB's interior was spacious, with generous headroom and seating comfort, enhanced by options like a panoramic sunroof. The test vehicle, equipped with the AMG Line design package and 20-inch AMG wheels, exuded style and attitude. The GLB's interior combined high style with simplicity, though some metallic trim pieces revealed its more affordable status within the Mercedes lineup. Despite this, the GLB's cabin was a delightful place to spend time, offering a blend of comfort and elegance.

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, providing stout acceleration. The Sienna's towing capacity was 3,500 pounds, and it came with front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available on all trims except the base L. The AWD option, however, limited seating to seven passengers. The Sienna's fuel economy was 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined for FWD models, while AWD versions returned 18/24/20. Despite its size, the Sienna handled well, offering a smooth ride and decent cornering abilities, though its steering response was twitchy at higher speeds.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 221 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. It accelerated to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds, aided by a wide torque band and an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The GLB offered 4Matic AWD, with an Off-Road mode for maximum traction. Equipped with an adaptive damping suspension and 20-inch AMG wheels, the GLB provided a soft ride in Comfort mode and a more engaging experience in Sport mode. Despite its modest engine specs, the GLB delivered a remarkable driving experience, though its brakes faded prematurely during spirited driving. The GLB's fuel economy was 21.4 mpg, slightly below the EPA's 26-mpg estimate.

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 was easier with captain’s chairs than a bench. The third row folded seamlessly into the floor, but accessing 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 Mercedes-Benz GLB, despite its compact size, offered generous interior dimensions, even accommodating an optional third row. It comfortably seated four adults, with ample headroom and visibility. The second-row seat slid for added flexibility, and the front seats provided power adjustment. Cargo space was 22 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 62 cubic feet with the seats folded. The GLB's traditional SUV roofline maximized space, making it a practical choice for those needing versatility.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna's base L trim featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Amazon Alexa and Apple CarPlay, a long-awaited addition. It included Bluetooth, five USB ports, and a WiFi hotspot. The Limited trim added navigation and a JBL 10-speaker audio system. The Driver Easy Speak intercom system allowed the driver to communicate with rear passengers without raising their voice, showcasing Toyota's focus on family-friendly features.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB's Premium Package, a $2,200 upgrade, replaced standard 7-inch screens with twin 10.25-inch displays, offering lush graphics and customization. The MBUX infotainment system included Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and natural voice recognition. The Multimedia Package added navigation with augmented video, while the Parking Assistance Package offered a surround-view camera and semi-autonomous parking. The 12-speaker Burmester sound system provided excellent audio quality, enhancing the GLB's tech appeal.

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. Blind-spot monitoring was optional on lower trims and standard on XLE and Limited trims. The Sienna earned five stars from the NHTSA and a Good rating from the IIHS, with its driver-assistance features rated Superior.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB included standard safety features like a driver monitoring system, backup camera, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The optional Driver Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, and evasive steering assistance. While crash-test ratings were unavailable, the GLB's safety systems operated with accuracy and refinement, encouraging their use.