2020 Toyota Sienna vs 2020 Subaru Outback

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, part of its third generation, had been around since 2011 and received an update in 2018. Despite these updates, the 2020 model still felt dated. The front doors emitted a hollow "thud" when slammed, indicating a lack of attention to fit and finish. The instrument panel looked like it came from Toyota's 2010 parts bin, though its simplicity made the controls easy to use. The Sienna was available in multiple trims, from the base L to the luxurious Limited Premium, each offering various features like 17-inch alloy wheels, three-zone climate control, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay.

The 2020 Subaru Outback aimed for incremental improvements while maintaining its winning formula of utility, safety, and performance. Built on Subaru’s Global Platform, it boasted a 70% increase in structural rigidity. The base 2.5-liter engine, with 90% new parts, delivered 182 horsepower and improved fuel efficiency. Higher trims featured a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine with 260 horsepower. The Outback's exterior changes were subtle, but the interior saw significant upgrades, including an 11.6-inch touchscreen and innovative DriverFocus technology for monitoring driver alertness.

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. It offered stout acceleration and a Sport mode for livelier throttle and shift response. The Sienna had a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds and was available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. The FWD version returned 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while the AWD version returned 18/24/20. The Sienna handled well for a minivan, though its twitchy steering required constant attention at higher speeds.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured two engine options: a 2.5-liter engine with 182 horsepower and a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine with 260 horsepower. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) tuned to mimic a traditional automatic transmission. The 2.5-liter engine offered 26 mpg city and 33 highway, while the turbocharged engine provided quicker acceleration, reaching 60 mph in around 7 seconds. Subaru's symmetrical AWD system ensured consistent power delivery and better handling, both on and off-road. The Outback also boasted 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making it capable of handling various terrains.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna excelled in cargo space, offering 150 cubic feet, more than its competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey. However, accessing this space required removing the second-row seats, which could be cumbersome. The third row folded seamlessly into the floor, but getting into the backseat was challenging due to the awkward folding mechanism of the second-row seats. 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 Subaru Outback provided 32.5 cubic feet of trunk space, expandable to 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The rear seats could be easily folded via handles in the trunk. The Outback's interior was spacious, with ample legroom and headroom, even for taller passengers. Its design prioritized visibility, offering great sightlines in nearly every direction, though the rear quarters had a significant blind spot. The Outback's proportions contributed to better handling and less chance of rollover compared to SUVs.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna's base L trim featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system supporting Amazon Alexa and Apple CarPlay. Other standard tech included Bluetooth connectivity, five USB ports, and a WiFi hotspot with a 6-month trial. Higher trims offered additional features like navigation and a JBL 10-speaker premium audio system. The Limited trim included Driver Easy Speak, an intercom system that broadcasted the driver's voice to the rear speakers, making it easier to communicate with passengers in the back.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen on all but the base trim, which had dual 7-inch screens. The large screen was visually appealing and mostly easy to navigate, though some climate-control functions were buried. The system suffered from lag, affecting navigation, app switching, and even volume control. The camera resolution was also subpar, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the Outback's tech had potential if Subaru addressed the lag and camera quality.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came standard with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P), which included 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 but standard on XLE and Limited trims. The Sienna earned five stars in NHTSA crash testing and top scores from the IIHS in several categories, including a Superior rating for its driver-assistance features.

The 2020 Subaru Outback's safety suite included Subaru’s EyeSight system, which provided adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and pre-collision braking. However, the optical system could be obstructed by weather conditions, causing it to turn off. The DriverFocus system, designed to alert distracted drivers, was overly sensitive and often issued false alerts. Despite these issues, the Outback's standard AWD system and overall safety features made it a reliable choice.