2020 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Kia Seltos

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 The interior occasionally felt upscale but was generally perceived as outdated. The hollow "thud" when slamming the front doors was a clear indicator of its aging design. The instrument panel, reminiscent of Toyota's 2010 parts bin, was simple and easy to use, but it lacked modern flair.

The Sienna offered a range of trims, from the base L to the luxurious Limited Premium. The base L trim came well-equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, three-zone climate control, five USB ports, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay. The mid-range SE trim, recommended by CarGurus, featured 19-inch alloy wheels, a mesh grille, and a power rear liftgate. The Limited trim added leather seats, a JBL premium audio system, and a navigation system. For those wanting a sportier look, the Nightshade Edition provided dark accents and wheels.

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being classified as a subcompact SUV, had a big-car feel with an upright layout and a commanding view of the road. The headlight design, though busy, flowed well into the grille styling. The lower front bumper had an aggressive approach angle, hinting at off-road capabilities. The two-tone roof design and red circles around the wheel centers added to its on-road driving dynamics. The interior boasted a straightforward design with clean lines and seamlessly integrated tech features, reminiscent of more upscale brands like Audi.

The Seltos offered five trims: LX, S, EX, S Turbo, and SX Turbo. The base LX trim included 17-inch alloy wheels, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and manually adjustable front seats. The S trim added LED daytime running lights, leatherette-and-cloth upholstery, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The EX trim provided a sunroof, full leatherette upholstery, and a wireless charging pad. The S Turbo and SX Turbo trims featured a more powerful engine, 18-inch alloy wheels, and additional driver assistance features.

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 dash-mounted shifter had a Sport mode that enhanced throttle and shift response. In normal Drive mode, the Sienna offered strong acceleration, and Sport mode was useful for highway overtaking. The Sienna also had a manual mode, which was rarely used but could assist with its 3,500-pound towing capacity.

The Sienna's power was routed to the front wheels, with an option for AWD on all trims except the base L. AWD versions were available only with a 7-passenger configuration. The FWD Sienna returned 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while AWD versions returned 18/24/20. In a week of combined driving, the observed fuel economy was 18.3 mpg. The Sienna had a low center of gravity and broad base, providing decent handling dynamics and a smooth ride. However, its twitchy steering response at higher speeds required constant attention to keep the van moving straight on the highway.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The LX, S, and EX trims came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. AWD was standard on LX and EX and optional on the S. The base engine was adequate for city driving but lacked power at higher speeds. The S Turbo and SX Turbo trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard AWD.

The turbocharged engine provided ample power for highway driving and passing maneuvers. The Seltos had a Drive Mode dial with Normal, Sport, and Smart modes. Sport mode enhanced throttle response and shift mapping, while Smart mode adjusted systems based on driving style. Despite its upright layout and 7.3 inches of ground clearance, the Seltos showed little body roll in turns and provided a smooth ride over bumps. It handled better than expected for a small crossover.

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 with 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, such as the Auto Access Seat, making the Sienna a practical choice for those needing mobility conversions.

The 2021 Kia Seltos provided 26.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 62.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This made it one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs on the market. The SX Turbo trim included a hard cargo cover that doubled as a tray for small items. The Seltos had plenty of cubbies and compartments for storage, and the rear seats offered impressive head- and legroom, a rarity among subcompact SUVs.

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 Kia Seltos' base S trim included a 3.5-inch TFT digital screen in the instrument panel and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The SX Turbo trim featured a Bose premium sound system, a 7-inch digital display screen, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This large screen could display Apple CarPlay/Android Auto while showing additional data on the right third of the screen. However, plugging in a smartphone via USB defaulted the audio to the phone’s output, which could be frustrating. Despite these quirks, Kia’s infotainment system was straightforward and intuitive, thanks to helpful home buttons and hard buttons below the touchscreen.

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 Kia Seltos came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and child-seat anchor latches. All trims except the base LX included a suite of driver-assistance features, such as forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. The EX trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the SX trim included adaptive cruise control with idle stop-and-go and cyclist detection. The SX also had a feature that alerted the driver if it was safe to exit the vehicle when parallel parking.