2020 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Lexus GX

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 with 17-inch alloy wheels and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, to the Limited Premium with leather seats, a JBL premium audio system, and a DVD entertainment system. The Nightshade Edition added dark accents and wheels for those prioritizing a "cool" look.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460's styling was a product of its long market presence, retaining the same basic body shell from a decade ago with updates like the spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights. The 2021 model didn't get any styling changes, but silver 18-inch wheels became standard on the Premium trim. The GX's tough, aggressive look was distinctive, but the interior didn't meet modern luxury SUV standards. The wood trim felt like molded plastic, and there was plenty of actual plastic. Standard leather upholstery was a plus, with semi-aniline leather on the Luxury trim. The interior ergonomics, including the upright dashboard and high center console, left little legroom and made the steering wheel feel like driving a bus.

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 for livelier throttle and shift response. It also had a manual mode, useful for its 3,500-pound towing capacity. The Sienna's FWD version 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 required constant attention.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 featured a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX's 5,130 pounds made their presence felt at higher speeds, requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking. The ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, with low grip and body roll in corners. The GX excelled in off-road capability, with a Torsen center differential, standard 4WD system with a low range, and driver aids like hill-descent control and hill-start assist. The optional Off-Road Package added features like a transmission cooler, fuel-tank protector, and Crawl Control. The GX had a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.

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 Lexus GX's interior ergonomics showed its age, with an upright dashboard and high center console leaving little legroom. The steering wheel's odd angle and tall seating position felt like driving a bus. The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, but forward visibility was limited by the tall hood. The center-console storage bin, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders were small. The GX came standard with three rows and seating for seven, but the third row was best for children and difficult to access. The GX had 64.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded, less than the Land Rover Discovery's 73.0 cubic feet.

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. Higher trims like the Limited added navigation and a JBL 10-speaker premium audio system. The Driver Easy Speak intercom system allowed the driver to broadcast their voice to the rear speakers, making it easier to communicate with passengers.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, with standard Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functions. The touchscreen's primitive interface was offset by analog controls for nearly everything, including large shortcut buttons for the screen's menus. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system was 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 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 Lexus GX 460 came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, the GX lacked some safety features available in other Lexus and Toyota models, like traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist. NHTSA and IIHS crash-test ratings were not available for the 2021 GX.