2020 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

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 seemed to come 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 Toyota RAV4 featured a rugged-looking exterior, with boxy fender flares, chiseled taillights, and a scowling front end, contrasting sharply with previous generations and most compact crossovers. Underneath, it was based on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, shared with other Toyota models. The RAV4 Adventure model added a retro look with an Ice Edge roof and orange interior accents, while the TRD Off-Road featured matte black 18-inch wheels and red interior accents. The interior had large rubberized knobs and door handles, with SofTex upholstery in the TRD Off-Road model. However, material quality did not elevate with higher trims, and real leather was not available, even on the range-topping Limited trim.

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 with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), the latter only in 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 handled surprisingly well for a minivan, with a low center of gravity and broad base, though its twitchy steering response required constant attention at higher speeds.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 featured a "Dynamic Force" 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The engine achieved 40% thermal efficiency, a level usually found in racing engines, and loved to rev, with power peaking at 6,600 rpm. However, the transmission hesitated to shift, and the steering lacked feel, making for a videogame-like experience. The RAV4 offered a Sport mode, but it only added weight to the steering. On the highway, the RAV4 was more comfortable, with low cabin noise and a suspension that soaked up road imperfections. The Adventure and TRD Off-Road models had a torque-vectoring rear axle and 8.6 inches of ground clearance, with a 3,500-pound towing capacity, but lacked traditional off-roading features like a two-speed transfer case.

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 the Sienna a good choice for those needing mobility conversions.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 had a tall, upright roof providing good headroom and outward visibility. However, legroom in both rows was a bit behind competitors. The front seats were comfortable, but the rear seats had flat, hard cushions. The RAV4 offered 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place, above average but behind the Honda CR-V. The oversized knobs and steering-wheel controls were easy to use, even with gloves on, but the center-console storage seemed to squeeze out space on the console itself. The RAV4’s styling emulated old school SUVs, but lacked large cupholders or a place for loose change.

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

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 offered standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Most trims had a 7-inch touchscreen, with the Limited getting an 8-inch screen and the RAV4 Prime a 9-inch screen. Up to five USB ports were available, and a JBL premium audio system was an option. The infotainment system was easy to use, with well-positioned graphics and shortcut buttons, but it wasn’t very flashy. The gasoline RAV4 didn’t get the head-up display available on the RAV4 Prime.

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 from the NHTSA and top scores from the IIHS, including a Superior rating for its driver-assistance features.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 received a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests and a Superior rating for front-crash prevention tech. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating. The standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 bundle included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams, road-sign recognition, and Lane Tracing Assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic emergency braking, and park assist. A 360-degree camera system was available in certain packages.