2021 Nissan Murano 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 introduced 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 was available in multiple trims, from the base L to the Limited Premium, each offering various features like 17-inch alloy wheels, three-zone climate control, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay. The SE trim, recommended by CarGurus, included a power rear liftgate, 19-inch alloy wheels, and leather upholstery. The Limited trim added leather seats, a JBL premium audio system, and a navigation system.

The 2021 Nissan Murano, once a cutting-edge design, had become more mainstream with its L-shaped LED headlights and contoured front end. Its interior and dash design remained conservative, focusing on comfort and ease of use. The Murano was available in four trims: S, SV, SL, and Platinum. The base S trim included 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, and an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SV trim added power-adjustable front seats and adaptive cruise control. The SL trim featured 20-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, and a Bose premium stereo system. The top-tier Platinum trim offered a dual-panel panoramic moonroof and semi-aniline premium leather seats.

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 was available in front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations, with AWD versions limited to a 7-passenger setup. The FWD Sienna returned 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while AWD versions achieved 18/24/20. The Sienna's low center of gravity and broad base provided decent handling dynamics, though its twitchy steering response required constant attention at higher speeds.

The 2021 Nissan Murano featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque, mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Murano offered strong low-speed acceleration, but the CVT dulled its power at higher speeds. The Murano prioritized comfort, with refined driving characteristics that allowed it to take corners evenly and absorb road bumps. It had a 1,500-pound towing capacity, one of the lowest among midsize SUVs. The Murano's ride quality made it an ideal vehicle for commutes and road trips.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna excelled in cargo space, offering 150 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed. This was more than competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey. However, accessing this space required removing the second-row seats, which could be cumbersome. The third row folded seamlessly into the floor, but getting into 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 those needing mobility conversions.

The 2021 Nissan Murano provided up to 67 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 32.1 cubic feet with the seats in use. This was less than competitors like the Hyundai Santa Fe and Honda Passport. However, the Murano made up for it with ease of use, featuring a center console loaded with trays and cubbies. The Murano's focus on two rows of seating provided ample headroom and legroom, with the second-row seats offering partial reclining functionality.

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, making it easier to communicate with rear passengers.

The 2021 Nissan Murano came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring a sensible menu layout and hard buttons for easy navigation. It supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Available tech features included an 11-speaker Bose premium stereo system and navigation. The Murano's infotainment system was user-friendly, with buttons and toggles making it easy to switch between connected smartphone apps.

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 but standard on XLE and Limited trims. The Sienna earned five stars in crash testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and received top scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2021 Nissan Murano featured Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included reverse automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. Additional standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, and driver drowsiness monitoring. Optional features included a surround-view parking monitor, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and front-and-rear parking sensors.