2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB vs 2020 Toyota Sienna

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, part of its third generation, had been around since 2011 and received a refresh 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 and the instrument panel's simplistic design, reminiscent of Toyota's 2010 parts, highlighted its age. However, this simplicity also made the controls 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 a power rear liftgate, catering to various family needs.

In contrast, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB was a fresh addition to the Mercedes SUV lineup, introduced in 2020. It slotted between the GLA and GLC in size, offering a distinctive yet familiar Mercedes design. The GLB boasted an athletic stance with 7.9 inches of ground clearance, making it suitable for soft roads and urban environments. Inside, the GLB impressed with its modern design, featuring round shapes across the dash, polished metal HVAC vents, and a single panel housing the virtual instrument cluster and infotainment screen. The cabin's fit and finish were exemplary, with a comfortable and supportive driving experience enhanced by a beefy steering wheel with perforated leather grips.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna was powered by a 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, providing robust acceleration and a 3,500-pound towing capacity. The Sienna's front-wheel-drive (FWD) configuration returned the best fuel economy, with 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while the all-wheel-drive (AWD) option, available on all trims except the base L, offered 18/24/20 mpg. Despite its size, the Sienna handled well, with a low center of gravity and broad base, though its twitchy steering required constant attention at higher speeds.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine, producing 221 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It offered a 0-60 mph time of 6.9 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph. The GLB's FWD platform could be upgraded to 4MATIC AWD for $2,000, enhancing handling and driving feel. The AWD version included the Off-Road Engineering Package, providing features like hill-start assist and downhill speed regulation. The GLB's fuel economy was rated at 23 mpg city, 30 highway, and 26 combined for FWD, with similar figures for AWD.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna excelled in cargo space, offering 150 cubic feet, surpassing competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey. However, accessing this space required removing the second-row seats, which could be cumbersome with the bench option. The third row folded seamlessly into the floor, but accessing the backseat was 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 families needing accessibility options.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB offered a choice between two and three-row configurations. The five-passenger version provided 27.0 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 62.0 cubic feet with the second row folded. The seven-passenger model offered 5.1 cubic feet behind the third row, 24.0 cubic feet behind the second, and 56.7 cubic feet with the second row folded. The third row was best suited for children or short trips due to limited legroom and headroom. The GLB's cabin was well-appointed, with comfortable front seats featuring eight-way power adjustment and available heated and ventilated options.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, supporting Amazon Alexa and Apple CarPlay. It 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 allowed the driver to communicate with rear passengers through the speakers, enhancing convenience for families.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB was equipped with the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, featuring voice control and natural language understanding. It included a 7-inch digital instrument cluster and touchscreen multimedia display, with options to upgrade to 10.25 inches. Standard features included smartphone integration, keyless start, and a power liftgate. The Premium Package added keyless go and a Burmester Surround Sound System, while the Multimedia Package offered navigation with augmented reality and traffic-sign assist. Additional options included adaptive damping, ambient lighting, and a head-up display.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna featured the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) suite, including lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and dynamic cruise control. 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, with a Superior rating for its driver-assistance features.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB included standard safety features like active brake assist, adaptive braking technology, and crosswind assist. The Driver Assistance Package added advanced features such as active distance assist, active steering assist, and Pre-Safe Plus with Pre-Safe Sound. The GLB had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS.