2021 Buick Envision 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 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 a power rear liftgate, which was crucial for families. The Nightshade Edition added dark accents and wheels for those who wanted a cooler look.

The 2021 Buick Envision underwent a redesign after two consecutive years of facelifts. This two-row compact crossover, sold in China and North America, was lower and wider than its predecessor, giving it a more planted appearance. The Envision's three trims—Preferred, Essence, and Avenir—offered distinct looks, with the Avenir being the most premium. The Avenir trim added a Black Ice Chrome mesh grille, 20-inch wheels, and a unique interior trim pattern. The Envision's cabin featured a driver-centric design, with the infotainment screen and climate controls angled toward the driver. However, the abundance of piano black plastic on the dashboard and center console attracted dust, detracting from its premium feel.

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 seldom used but could help with 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 surprisingly decent handling dynamics, though its twitchy steering response required constant attention at higher speeds. Standard safety tech, including lane-departure warning and lane-keep assist, helped mitigate this issue.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Despite a power downgrade from the previous model, the Envision's weight reduction of 200 to 300 pounds improved its fuel efficiency. The FWD version achieved 24 mpg city, 31 highway, and 26 combined, while the AWD version returned 22/29/25. The Envision's drivability was more akin to a Lincoln, providing comfortable cruising without sporty driving dynamics. The typical GM drive mode selector allowed for a noticeable change in revs in Sport mode, but the engine and road noise permeated the cabin, making it less premium than it looked.

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 was easier with captain’s chairs than a bench. The third row folded seamlessly into the floor, but getting into the backseat could be challenging. Toyota also offered mobility access features, such as the Auto Access Seat, making it easier for those needing mobility conversions.

The 2021 Buick Envision, despite a longer wheelbase, had less headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in the front row compared to its predecessor. Rear-seat passengers lost two inches of legroom and nearly six inches of hip room. The Envision's cargo capacity was also reduced, with 25.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 53.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The driver-centric cockpit limited the front seat passenger's access to climate controls and the infotainment screen. Small-item storage was typical for the compact SUV segment, and the Envision offered standard comfort features like heated seats and a heated steering wheel.

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 added 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 2021 Buick Envision's standout tech feature was its standard 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, which was responsive and cleanly displayed necessary functionalities. The driver could see station and song title information faster on the available 8.0-inch driver information display. Standard features included USB ports, dual-zone automatic climate control, a rearview camera, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Available features included navigation, driver massage, HD Radio, a surround-view camera, a head-up display, and wireless device charging.

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 higher trims. The Sienna earned five stars in crash testing by the NHTSA and top scores from the IIHS, including a Superior rating for its driver-assistance features.

The 2021 Buick Envision had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included a following distance indicator, forward-collision alert, front and rear park assist, lane change alert with blind-spot alert, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rear park assist, rear-seat alert, automatic emergency braking, and teen-driver monitoring. Adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic park assist were available on Avenir models. The Envision also featured the Buckle to Drive system, ensuring the driver was latched in before shifting from park to drive.