2021 Land Rover Defender vs 2020 Toyota Sienna

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, part of its third generation, had been around since the 2011 model year. Despite a 2018 update that incorporated newer infotainment tech and minor changes, the 2020 version still felt dated. The front doors emitted a hollow "thud" when slammed, indicating a lack of attention to fit and finish. The instrument panel looked like it came from Toyota's 2010 parts bin, though its simplicity made the controls easy to use. The Sienna offered various trims, from the base L to the Limited Premium, each adding more features and luxury touches. The SE trim, recommended by CarGurus, included 19-inch alloy wheels, a mesh grille, and a power rear liftgate, which was crucial for family use.

In contrast, the 2021 Land Rover Defender aimed to echo the vibe of its predecessors while bringing the SUV into the modern era. It featured half-round LED headlights, a structural-looking grille, and flat-topped fenders with composite cladding. The spare tire was mounted on the side-hinged tailgate, and the SUV had short overhangs that made it look capable of tackling any obstacle. Inside, the Defender's exposed structure theme was prominent, with a dash held between horizontal beams and exposed Allen-head bolts securing the door panels. The leather-upholstered seating was both tough and luxurious, and the digital instrument panel and center touchscreen interface were crisp and clean.

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 Sienna offered stout acceleration in normal Drive mode, with a Sport mode available for livelier throttle and shift response. It also had a manual mode, which was seldom used but could help with its 3,500-pound towing capacity. The Sienna routed power to the front wheels, with an AWD option available for 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 surprisingly well for a minivan, with a low center of gravity and broad base, though its twitchy steering response at higher speeds was a concern.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender offered two powertrains in the U.S.: a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder engine producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder mild-hybrid setup producing 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. All Defender models used an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD with low range and Terrain Response. The Defender's off-road capabilities were impressive, with a 30.1-degree approach angle, 37.6-degree departure angle, and a maximum wading depth of 35.4 inches. On the road, the Defender was quick for its weight, with the 2.0-liter model going from 0-60 mph in 7.7 seconds and the 3.0-liter model in 5.8 seconds. The Defender also had a maximum towing capacity of 8,200 pounds and a payload capacity of over 1,700 pounds.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna excelled in cargo space, offering 150 cubic feet, more than its 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. 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 good option for those needing mobility conversions.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender, built on a unibody platform, used four-wheel independent multi-link air suspension to enhance both on-road and off-road performance. The Defender offered flexible interior configurations, including an optional jump seat between the front seats and a third-row seat in the long-wheelbase 110 model. The Defender 110 provided 34-34.6 cubic feet of luggage space behind the second row and 78.8 cubic feet behind the first row. The three-door model, Defender 90, had 15.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 58.3 cubic feet behind the front seats.

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 Sienna also featured Driver Easy Speak, an intercom system that broadcasted the driver’s voice to the rear speakers.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender used Land Rover's Electronic Vehicle Architecture 2.0, allowing for remote software updates. The Defender featured the new Pivi Pro system with a 10-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. Standard tech included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Defender also offered multiple camera views, including a "transparent hood" view using the 3D surround-camera system. The audio system could be upgraded to a Meridian sound system with up to 14 speakers and a subwoofer. A full-color head-up display and a ClearSight rear-view mirror were also available.

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 higher trims like the XLE and Limited. The Sienna earned five stars in crash testing by the NHTSA and top scores from the IIHS.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. However, it came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including a perimeter alarm, front airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, electronic traction control, dynamic stability control, roll stability control, emergency braking, anti-lock braking, emergency brake assist, cruise control speed limiter, blind spot assist, lane-keep assist, driver condition monitor, traffic sign recognition, rear traffic monitor, clear exit monitor, and a 360-degree parking aid. The Defender also underwent extensive durability testing during its development.