2020 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Kia Sportage

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 Sienna still felt dated. The front doors emitted a hollow "thud" when slammed, indicating a lack of attention to fit and finish. The instrument panel seemed to come from Toyota's 2010 parts bin, though its simplicity made the controls easy to use. The Sienna offered various trims, from the well-equipped base L to the luxurious Limited Premium, with features like a power rear liftgate, leather upholstery, and a DVD entertainment system.

In contrast, the 2021 Kia Sportage featured a design described by Kia as "Euro-focused," with a tiger-nose grille and bulbous headlights. The two-row crossover SUV had a short wheelbase and overhangs, making it ideal for city driving. The interior boasted an 8-inch touchscreen display, flanked by air vents and physical buttons for tuning and volume. The cabin, while not the most tech-forward, was still pleasant. The Sportage offered trims like LX, EX, and SX Turbo, with features such as a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated and ventilated seats, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 296 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It offered stout acceleration in normal Drive mode, with a Sport mode for livelier throttle and shift response. The Sienna had a 3,500-pound towing capacity and offered AWD on all trims except the base L. The FWD Sienna returned 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while AWD versions returned 18/24/20. The Sienna handled well for a minivan, with a low center of gravity and broad base, though its twitchy steering required constant attention at higher speeds.

The 2021 Kia Sportage offered a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine for the LX and EX trims, producing 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. The SX Turbo trim featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. All Sportages had a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy for the FWD 2.4-liter engine was 23 mpg city, 30 highway, and 26 combined, while AWD versions returned 21/25/23. The turbocharged engine returned 20/28/23 in FWD and 19/24/21 in AWD. The Sportage had a smooth ride with its McPherson-strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension, though its steering and tire grip left something to be desired.

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 a bench. The third row folded seamlessly into the floor, but getting into the backseat could be challenging. Toyota also offered mobility access features like the Auto Access Seat, making it easier for those needing mobility conversions.

The 2021 Kia Sportage, while smaller, provided good interior space for passengers. The SX Turbo trim offered a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and 8-way power adjustment for the passenger, with heated and ventilated seats. Rear legroom and headroom were good, but cargo space was limited to 30.7 cubic feet behind the second row and 60.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded, which was not competitive with other compact crossovers.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna's base L trim came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system supporting Amazon Alexa and Apple CarPlay. Standard tech features included Bluetooth connectivity, five USB ports, and a WiFi hotspot with a 6-month trial. Higher trims like the Limited offered navigation and a JBL 10-speaker premium audio system. The Driver Easy Speak intercom system allowed the driver to communicate with rear passengers without straining their voice.

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured an 8-inch touchscreen interface with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB ports as standard. Most trims also included Kia’s UVO Link connected services. The SX Turbo trim added wireless charging and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. The technology was user-friendly, with logical menus, physical buttons, and handy knobs.

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

The 2021 Kia Sportage offered a robust list of standard ADAS, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and a driver-monitoring system. The SX Turbo trim added adaptive cruise control. The Sportage earned Top Safety Pick status from the IIHS and performed well in NHTSA crash tests.