2021 Hyundai Tucson vs 2020 Toyota Sienna

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, as part of its third generation, had been around since 2011 and received an update in 2018. Despite these updates, the 2020 model still felt somewhat dated, with occasional upscale touches overshadowed by its overall aged design. The hollow "thud" of the front doors when closed was a subtle indicator of its fit and finish, a detail many automakers strive to refine. The instrument panel, reminiscent of Toyota's 2010 parts bin, was simple yet user-friendly. The Sienna offered a range of trims, from the well-equipped base L to the luxurious Limited Premium, each adding features like power sliding doors, leather upholstery, and advanced infotainment systems. The Nightshade Edition aimed to add a touch of style with dark accents and wheels, appealing to those who wanted a minivan with a bit of flair.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Tucson presented a more conventional design, appealing to those who preferred a small crossover with a traditional look. Its upright layout provided a commanding view of the road, while the interior boasted a modern and attractive dash design. The tech features were seamlessly integrated, with buttons and dials easy to locate. The Tucson offered six trims, starting with the base SE, which included essentials like a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. As you moved up the trims, features like LED headlights, power-adjustable seats, and premium audio systems were added, culminating in the Ultimate trim with a panoramic sunroof and advanced safety features.

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. It offered a Sport mode for enhanced throttle and shift response, making it capable of stout acceleration and confident highway overtaking. The Sienna's towing capacity was 3,500 pounds, and it offered both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options, with the latter available only in a 7-passenger configuration. The FWD Sienna achieved fuel economy ratings of 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while AWD versions returned slightly lower figures. Despite its size, the Sienna handled surprisingly well, with a low center of gravity and broad base contributing to decent cornering dynamics. However, its steering response was twitchy at higher speeds, requiring constant attention to maintain a straight path.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered two engine options: a base 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 161 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, and a more powerful 2.4-liter engine producing 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and came with standard FWD or optional AWD. The base engine felt underwhelming, especially at highway speeds, while the 2.4-liter engine provided a livelier experience around town. The Tucson's ride was comfortable and refined, striking a balance between softness and athleticism. Its towing capacity ranged from 1,500 pounds with the base engine to 2,000 pounds with the 2.4-liter engine.

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 configuration. The third row folded seamlessly into the floor, but getting into the backseat was a bit 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 Hyundai Tucson provided 31 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 61.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. While this was on the lower side for the compact SUV segment, it was sufficient for most needs. The Tucson's front seats offered solid headroom and legroom, with comfortable and supportive seating for long trips. The rear seats were less spacious but still accommodating for adults. The interior featured numerous cubbies and compartments, providing ample storage for small items.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, supporting Amazon Alexa and Apple CarPlay. It also included Bluetooth connectivity, five USB ports, and a WiFi hotspot with a 6-month trial. The Limited trim added navigation and a JBL 10-speaker premium audio system. The Driver Easy Speak feature acted as a one-way intercom, allowing the driver to communicate with rear passengers without raising their voice.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson also featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ultimate trim offered an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen, which was optional on other trims. The system was user-friendly, with logical menu layouts and hard buttons for convenience. Additional features included navigation, satellite radio, and wireless device charging.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) suite, 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 and standard on XLE and Limited trims. The Sienna earned five stars from the NHTSA and a "Good" rating from the IIHS in several crash tests, with its driver-assistance features receiving a "Superior" rating.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered a solid array of standard driver-assistance features, such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver drowsiness monitoring. Higher trims added features like adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, and a 360-degree parking monitor. The Tucson received five stars from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS.