2020 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Ford Escape

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, as 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 Despite these updates, the 2020 model still felt somewhat outdated. The vehicle occasionally offered an upscale feel, but the hollow sound of the front doors when closed suggested a lack of refinement. The instrument panel, reminiscent of Toyota's 2010 designs, was simple and user-friendly, though it contributed to the dated feel. The Sienna was available in multiple trims, from the well-equipped base L to the luxurious Limited Premium. Each trim offered a variety of features, such as the SE's power rear liftgate and the Limited's premium audio system. The Nightshade Edition added a touch of style with its dark accents and wheels, appealing to those who wanted a minivan with a bit of flair.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Escape presented a modern design that blurred the lines between SUV and hatchback. Its sleek exterior, reminiscent of a larger Ford Focus, offered a less rugged appearance compared to competitors like the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester. The Escape's interior, however, lacked the cohesive design of its exterior, with some materials feeling subpar. The 2021 model introduced new appearance packages for various trims, enhancing its visual appeal. Despite its stylish exterior, the interior design choices and material quality left room for improvement, especially when compared to other vehicles in its class.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna was powered by a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 296 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque through an 8-speed automatic transmission. This setup provided strong acceleration, with a Sport mode available for more spirited driving. The Sienna offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options, with the latter available on all trims except the base L. The AWD configuration, however, was limited to a 7-passenger setup. Fuel economy for the FWD Sienna was rated at 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while AWD models achieved slightly lower figures. The Sienna's handling was surprisingly competent for a minivan, though its steering response could feel twitchy at higher speeds, requiring constant attention.

The 2021 Ford Escape offered a range of powertrains, including two gasoline engines and hybrid options. The base engine was a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder, producing 181 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. An optional 2.0-liter turbo-four engine increased output to 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, available only with AWD. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid models combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric assist, generating 200 horsepower. The plug-in hybrid's larger battery allowed for extended electric-only driving. Despite the variety of powertrains, the Escape's chassis tuning left much to be desired, with suspension and steering that felt less refined than competitors.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna excelled in cargo space, offering a class-leading 150 cubic feet. However, accessing this space required removing the second-row seats, which could be cumbersome with the bench seat option. The third row folded easily into the floor, but entering 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 such accommodations.

The 2021 Ford Escape, despite its car-like styling, provided competitive interior space for a compact SUV. It featured a sliding rear seat that allowed for adjustable legroom or cargo space. Non-hybrid models offered 40.7 inches of rear legroom, while hybrid models sacrificed some space due to battery placement. Cargo capacity varied, with gasoline models offering up to 65.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. However, competitors like the Nissan Rogue and Subaru Forester offered more cargo space, highlighting a limitation in the Escape's design.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, supporting Amazon Alexa and Apple CarPlay. Despite the delayed inclusion of Apple CarPlay, it was a welcome addition. The Sienna also featured Bluetooth connectivity, five USB ports, and a WiFi hotspot with a trial period. Higher trims, like the Limited, included navigation and a JBL premium audio system. The Driver Easy Speak system allowed the driver to communicate with rear passengers via the vehicle's speakers, a useful feature for families.

The 2021 Ford Escape utilized the older Sync 3 infotainment system, with the base S model featuring a 4.2-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot were standard. Upgrading to the SE trim provided an 8-inch touchscreen and SiriusXM radio, while the Titanium trim added a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a Bang & Olufsen sound system. Although Sync 3 was user-friendly, the Escape lacked some of the advanced tech features found in competitors, such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna was equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) suite, which included lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and dynamic cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring was optional on lower trims but standard on higher ones. The Sienna received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and high scores from the IIHS, making it a safe choice for families.

The 2021 Ford Escape earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, with high scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention. However, its headlights received mixed ratings. The NHTSA awarded the Escape a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included in the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite were comprehensive, with options for additional features like adaptive cruise control and park assist.