2020 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, part of its third generation, had been around since the 2011 model year. Despite a 2018 update that introduced newer infotainment tech and minor changes, the 2020 version still felt dated. The interior occasionally felt upscale but was often overshadowed by a sense of being outdated. The hollow "thud" of the front doors when slammed was a minor but telling detail of its aging design. The instrument panel, reminiscent of Toyota's 2010 parts bin, was simple and user-friendly but lacked modern flair.

The Sienna offered a range of trims, from the base L to the Limited Premium. The base L trim was well-equipped with features like 17-inch alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, three-zone climate control, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay. Higher trims added more amenities, such as dual power sliding doors, leather upholstery, and a power rear liftgate. The SE trim, recommended by CarGurus, included 19-inch alloy wheels, sport instrumentation, and heated front seats. The Limited trim added luxury touches like leather seats, a JBL premium audio system, and a navigation system.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, a smaller sibling to the resurrected Bronco, captured some of the rugged styling cues of its big brother but was designed as a more suburban-friendly crossover. Its modern retro look, short front overhang, and tall fender wells were designed for trail driving. The front grille and tailgate featured bold "BRONCO" lettering, with a smaller "SPORT" postscript. The wheels varied by trim, with options ranging from 17-inch Sparkle Silver wheels on the Base model to 18-inch machined-face aluminum Ebony Black-painted wheels on the Outer Banks trim.

The Bronco Sport's interior was tastefully rugged, with an uncluttered design and convenient storage cubbies. The center stack featured an 8-inch infotainment screen, and the rotary gear selector was located in the center console. Interior trim levels ranged from cloth seats to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats. The First Edition model featured Navy Pier Leather power front seats and rubberized flooring, catering to the needs of active buyers.

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. 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 be helpful for towing up to 3,500 pounds. The Sienna's power was routed to the front wheels, with an optional AWD available for all trims except the base L. The AWD versions were limited to a 7-passenger configuration.

The Sienna's fuel economy was best with FWD, returning 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined. AWD versions returned 18/24/20. In combined city and highway driving, the observed fuel economy was 18.3 mpg. The Sienna's low center of gravity and broad base contributed to surprisingly decent handling dynamics, providing a smooth ride and confident cornering. However, its twitchy steering response at higher speeds required constant attention to keep the van moving straight on the highway.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices tied to trim levels. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims featured a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands and First Edition trims came with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. All Bronco Sport models had an eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD, along with a terrain management system with up to seven G.O.A.T. modes.

The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, generous suspension travel, and decent ground clearance. On-road, the 2.0-liter engine felt better suited to the Bronco Sport's character, while the 1.5-liter engine could sound strained when pressed hard. The Bronco Sport's good manners on pavement made it a versatile choice for commuting, family hauling, and weekend adventures.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna excelled in cargo space, offering 150 cubic feet, more than competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica, Honda Odyssey, Dodge Caravan, and Kia Sedona. However, accessing this space required removing the second-row seats, which was easier with captain's chairs than with a bench seat. The third row folded seamlessly into the floor, but getting into the backseat could be 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 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with features like cargo space designed to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. Ford offered a catalog of over 100 factory and aftermarket accessories for transporting gear like kayaks, surfboards, and camping equipment. The roof could hold up to 150 pounds (100 with a moonroof), and the 2.0-liter engine could tow up to 2,200 pounds, while the 1.5-liter engine could tow 2,000 pounds. The cargo hold featured a flip-up rear glass, an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table, a 400-watt inverter, and liftgate floodlamps.

The Bronco Sport's front cabin had ample storage compartments, including big door pockets, multiple cubbies, and covered storage. However, taller drivers might find outward visibility challenging due to the roof overhang and hood bulges. The driving position could be improved for better trail visibility, but overall, the Bronco Sport's interior was well-designed for sorting gadgets and tools.

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 Ford Bronco Sport featured the latest versions of Ford's infotainment systems, with an 8-inch touchscreen connecting to SYNC 3. It was compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Ford+Alexa, and SiriusXM. FordConnect with 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was standard. The base audio system was an AM/FM stereo with six speakers, while a Bang & Olufsen sound system was available on higher trims. The Bronco Sport's terrain management system included up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, with additional off-road tech like trail control for navigating challenging terrain.

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 scores from the IIHS, including a Superior rating for its driver-assistance features.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, auto high-beam headlamps, and a reversing camera. The optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, navigation, and road-sign recognition. Trailer sway control was included in the tow package. AWD and the terrain management system with G.O.A.T. modes enhanced the Bronco Sport's safety.