2020 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Nissan Armada

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, in 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, reminiscent of Toyota's 2010 parts bin, was simple and easy to use but added to the dated feel. The Sienna was available in multiple trims, from the base L to the Limited Premium, each offering various features like alloy wheels, climate control, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Armada underwent a significant facelift, aligning its looks with Nissan's new signature exterior design. The redesigned exterior featured a new grille, front fenders, bumpers, and LED headlights and taillights, giving it a modern yet beefy appearance. The Armada was available in S, SV, SL, and Platinum grades, with the Midnight Edition Package exclusive to the SL trim. The Platinum trim, which we tested, showcased body-color over fenders, dark-painted roof rails, and an acoustic windshield and front side windows. The Armada's new logo was prominently displayed on the grille, rear, steering wheel, and wheel caps.

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, which was seldom used but could assist with its 3,500-pound towing capacity. The Sienna was available in front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations, with AWD versions offering a 7-passenger configuration. The FWD Sienna returned 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while AWD versions returned 18/24/20. The Sienna's low center of gravity and broad base provided decent handling dynamics, although its twitchy steering response at higher speeds required constant attention.

The 2021 Nissan Armada was powered by a 5.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque when running on premium fuel, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. The Armada came standard with rear-wheel drive (RWD) and offered automatic four-wheel drive (4WD). Despite its weight, maxing out over 6,000 pounds, the Armada was a capable off-roader with a skid plate, double-wishbone suspension, and Hitachi twin-tube shock absorbers. The Armada's fuel economy was on the low end, with RWD models getting 14 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined, and 4WD models getting 13/18/15. The Armada's handling had improved over the years, but its turning radius and maneuverability in parking lots remained challenging.

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 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 Nissan Armada, as a full-size SUV, offered practicality and functionality for families. The interior featured a new 12.3-inch touchscreen, but the broad dashboard made some controls hard to reach. The first and second rows provided comfortable seating, with power-adjustable front seats and optional captain’s chairs in the second row. The third row was less comfortable for adults due to limited legroom. The Armada offered 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 49.9 cubic feet behind the second row, and 95.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. However, the high load floor made loading and unloading challenging, especially for petite individuals. Small-item storage was limited, with the center console storage bin being the exception.

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 Nissan Armada saw significant tech upgrades, including a class-leading 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. Standard features included navigation, a six-speaker stereo system, satellite radio, Bluetooth, USB Type-A and Type-C ports, a WiFi hotspot, NissanConnect Services, keyless entry with push-button start, Android Auto, and wireless Apple CarPlay. Available features included a wireless device charging pad, a 13-speaker Bose audio system, a rearview camera mirror, and a second-row entertainment system. The Platinum trim came with all these features as standard.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came standard with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P), which included 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 in various categories, including a Superior rating for its driver-assistance features.

The 2021 Nissan Armada had not been fully rated by the IIHS and NHTSA, except for a three-star rollover rating. Every Armada came with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and rear automatic braking. Additional standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear door alert. Advanced driving assist technologies like Nissan ProPilot Assist were not available.