2020 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, part of its third generation, had been around since the 2011 model year. Despite a 2018 update that incorporated newer infotainment tech and minor changes, the 2020 version 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 offered various trims, from the base L to the Limited Premium, each adding more features and luxury touches. The SE trim, recommended by CarGurus, included 19-inch alloy wheels, a mesh grille, and a power rear liftgate, which was crucial for family use.

In contrast, the 2021 BMW X5 showcased high-quality craftsmanship typical of BMW. The X5's design, from the kidney grille to the body shape, was unmistakably BMW, though it could blend in with other BMWs in a parking lot. The X5 featured full adaptive LED headlights and various trim levels, including the sporty M Sport styling. The interior, while sharing many elements with other BMW models, was not shoddy. It had an abundance of leather and soft-touch materials, though the black plastic parts easily collected dust. The M Sport models had unique styling elements like an M sports steering wheel and M-specific pedals.

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, which was rarely used but could help with its 3,500-pound towing capacity. The Sienna's FWD version returned 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while the AWD version returned 18/24/20. The Sienna handled surprisingly well for a minivan, with a low center of gravity and broad base, though its twitchy steering required constant attention at higher speeds.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered multiple powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base X5 sDrive40i/xDrive40i had a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine delivering 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. The X5 M50i featured a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 with 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, while the X5 M offered 600 hp, increasing to 617 hp with the Competition Package. The X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid achieved 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque from its 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine and a 24-kilowatt-hour battery, offering up to 30 miles of all-electric range. The X5's steering dynamics were less impressive, with a tendency to wobble at higher speeds and a Lincoln-like drive experience. The X5 M was the least fuel-efficient, achieving 15 mpg combined, while the X5 xDrive45e was rated at 50 MPGe when using both electricity and gas.

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 it easier for those needing mobility conversions.

The 2021 BMW X5 made good use of space, with cupholders at the front of the center console and a wireless phone charging pad. The seating was spacious and comfortable for short trips, though the front seats felt hard after a few hours. The rear seats were comfortable for kids and two adults, with an available third row. The X5's split liftgate was easy to operate, and the vehicle height adjustment button on the lower liftgate helped with loading cargo. The X5 xDrive45e offered slightly less cargo space than the traditional X5, but the difference was negligible for most buyers. However, moving children and cargo in and out of the second-row seats was not easy due to the narrow door opening.

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

The 2021 BMW X5 had a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The standard features included a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, proximity key, and a panoramic moonroof. Optional features included remote start, a head-up display, quad-zone automatic climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, massaging seats, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system, a 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, rear sunshades, and a dual-panel panoramic roof. The BMW iDrive system required some getting used to but was easy to navigate once familiar.

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.

The 2021 BMW X5 included standard safety features like blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, fatigue and focus alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, the Driving Assistance Professional Package had issues with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems, especially in sunlight and light rain. The X5 received nearly all Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.