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2020 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Toyota Sienna

2020 Toyota Sienna
2020 Toyota Sienna
$29,715MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Toyota Sienna
2021 Toyota Sienna
$34,460MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Toyota Sienna
$29,715MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Toyota Sienna
$34,460MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 Toyota Sienna is 7.8 out of 10, while the 2021 Toyota Sienna scores 8.3 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the recommendation leans towards the 2021 Sienna. It not only introduces significant upgrades in terms of style, fuel efficiency, and technology but also advances the vehicle in line with modern consumer expectations, making it the more desirable choice between the two.

Choose the 2021 Toyota Sienna if:

Shop Now
8.3of 10overall
  • Fuel efficiency and hybrid technology are top priorities.
  • You appreciate advanced safety features and technological enhancements.
  • Modern style and SUV-like aesthetics are preferred for a minivan.

Choose the 2020 Toyota Sienna if:

Shop Now
7.8of 10overall
  • You prefer a traditional V6 engine with more horsepower for robust driving.
  • You require maximum cargo space that outstrips most competitors.
  • You value a tried-and-tested vehicle with established track records.
Overview

MSRP

$29,715

MSRP

$34,460

Average price

$32,178

Average price

$39,597

Listings

459

Listings

627
Ratings & Reviews
User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

7.8 out of 10

Expert reviews

8.3 out of 10
Pros
  • Great handling
  • Plenty of cargo space
  • Standard advanced safety features
Cons
  • Poor ergonomic design
  • Twitchy steering
Pros
  • Fuel-efficient
  • Great ride quality
  • Spacious
Cons
  • Stereo is lacking
  • Uninspired styling

2020 Toyota Sienna Reviews Summary

Since the second half of the 20th century, each decade has had a hot-topic family car, and, as we’ve noted in a number of reviews this year, the crossover is our current darling vehicle. Before the crossover, there were big, truck-based SUVs. Before that, there were station wagons.

And for the past 35 years, there's always been the minivan.

The Dodge Caravan has been widely considered the Patient Zero of the minivan segment. From there, seemingly everyone joined the party, including Toyota, Nissan, Ford, Chevy, GMC, Volkswagen, Oldsmobile, Ford, and more. Heck, even Mercury had a “Nautica Edition” version of the Villager.

The minivan was king once, the crossover is king now, and some other type of vehicle will likely dominate in the near future. But in all this, the 7- and 8-passenger minivans will always represent the ultimate in versatility. The crossover is an image-forward fad with a dash of usability, but the minivan continues to prove itself as the pinnacle of practicality.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna is neither the newest nor flashiest minivan out there, but when you absolutely need space for people and gear, there’s nothing better. Additionally, the Sienna is the only minivan to offer all-wheel drive (AWD), which is something specifically desired by many car buyers.

2021 Toyota Sienna Reviews Summary

Toyota’s minivan got a major makeover for 2021, now entering its fourth generation of production since debuting as a 1997 model. For the first time, the Sienna gets a hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain, and not only that—it’s standard equipment. The Sienna Hybrid is built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA-K) platform, shared with the Highlander and other current Toyota models.
Popular Features & Specs

Engine

3.5L 296 hp V6

Engine

2.5L 245 hp I4 Hybrid

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

FWD

Seating Capacity

2

Seating Capacity

8

Horsepower

296 hp @ 6200 rpm

Horsepower

EV Battery Capacity

EV Battery Capacity

1.9 kWh

MPG City

19

MPG City

36

MPG Highway

26

MPG Highway

36
2020 Toyota Sienna
2020 Toyota Sienna
$29,715MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Toyota Sienna
2021 Toyota Sienna
$34,460MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Toyota Sienna
$29,715MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Toyota Sienna
$34,460MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 Toyota Sienna is 7.8 out of 10, while the 2021 Toyota Sienna scores 8.3 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the recommendation leans towards the 2021 Sienna. It not only introduces significant upgrades in terms of style, fuel efficiency, and technology but also advances the vehicle in line with modern consumer expectations, making it the more desirable choice between the two.

Choose the 2021 Toyota Sienna if:

Shop Now
8.3of 10overall
  • Fuel efficiency and hybrid technology are top priorities.
  • You appreciate advanced safety features and technological enhancements.
  • Modern style and SUV-like aesthetics are preferred for a minivan.

Choose the 2020 Toyota Sienna if:

Shop Now
7.8of 10overall
  • You prefer a traditional V6 engine with more horsepower for robust driving.
  • You require maximum cargo space that outstrips most competitors.
  • You value a tried-and-tested vehicle with established track records.
Overview
MSRP
$29,715
$34,460
Average price
$32,178
$39,597
Listings
459
Shop all listings
627
Shop all listings
Ratings & Reviews
User reviews
4.9
4.4
Expert reviews

7.8 out of 10

Read full review

8.3 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Great handling
  • Plenty of cargo space
  • Standard advanced safety features
Cons
  • Poor ergonomic design
  • Twitchy steering
Pros
  • Fuel-efficient
  • Great ride quality
  • Spacious
Cons
  • Stereo is lacking
  • Uninspired styling
Summary

Since the second half of the 20th century, each decade has had a hot-topic family car, and, as we’ve noted in a number of reviews this year, the crossover is our current darling vehicle. Before the crossover, there were big, truck-based SUVs. Before that, there were station wagons.

And for the past 35 years, there's always been the minivan.

The Dodge Caravan has been widely considered the Patient Zero of the minivan segment. From there, seemingly everyone joined the party, including Toyota, Nissan, Ford, Chevy, GMC, Volkswagen, Oldsmobile, Ford, and more. Heck, even Mercury had a “Nautica Edition” version of the Villager.

The minivan was king once, the crossover is king now, and some other type of vehicle will likely dominate in the near future. But in all this, the 7- and 8-passenger minivans will always represent the ultimate in versatility. The crossover is an image-forward fad with a dash of usability, but the minivan continues to prove itself as the pinnacle of practicality.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna is neither the newest nor flashiest minivan out there, but when you absolutely need space for people and gear, there’s nothing better. Additionally, the Sienna is the only minivan to offer all-wheel drive (AWD), which is something specifically desired by many car buyers.

Toyota’s minivan got a major makeover for 2021, now entering its fourth generation of production since debuting as a 1997 model. For the first time, the Sienna gets a hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain, and not only that—it’s standard equipment. The Sienna Hybrid is built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA-K) platform, shared with the Highlander and other current Toyota models.
Video
Popular Features & Specs
Engine
3.5L 296 hp V6
2.5L 245 hp I4 Hybrid
Drive Train
FWD
FWD
Seating Capacity
2
8
Horsepower
296 hp @ 6200 rpm
EV Battery Capacity
1.9 kWh
MPG City
19
36
MPG Highway
26
36
Look and feel
2020 Toyota Sienna
6/10
2021 Toyota Sienna
9/10
The 2020 Toyota Sienna, as part of the third generation that debuted in 2011, emanated a somewhat dated aura despite modest updates in 2018. Its exterior and interior elements, such as the hollow-sounding front doors and the instrumentation that could have been mistaken for designs from a decade ago, underscored a vehicle that struggled to shake off its older aesthetic sensibilities. The range of trims like L, LE, SE, and XLE presented varying degrees of luxury, with features spanning from basic infotainment options to more luxurious touches like leather-trimmed heated seats and woodgrain accents in the higher trims. In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Sienna premiered a redesigned outlook aiming to resemble more of an SUV than a typical minivan. The redesigned model featured a wide grille and sleek LED headlights integrated into a horizontal panel, making a strong visual statement. The sliding side doors received a new design, curving upward at the back for a more dynamic profile. The interior also adopted a fresher, more horizontal layout, aiming to elevate the passenger experience closer to that of SUVs, but without compromising the spaciousness and visibility inherent to minivans.
Performance
2020 Toyota Sienna
7/10
2021 Toyota Sienna
8/10
Under the hood, the 2020 Sienna was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 296 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It offered configurations in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, the latter option a rare find in the minivan market. In terms of fuel economy, the front-wheel-drive model offered the best efficiency with 19 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 21 combined. Despite its size, the 2020 Sienna managed a commendable balance between a smooth ride and competent, albeit not sporty, handling. Transitioning to 2021, Toyota opted for a hybrid approach, equipping the Sienna with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors that collectively provided 243 horsepower. This powertrain was linked to a continuously variable transmission and was available in both front-wheel and all-wheel-drive configurations. While the 2021 model might not have thrilled with rapid acceleration, it excelled in fuel economy, marking a significant improvement with estimated figures reaching up to 36 mpg both in city and highway driving.
Form and function
2020 Toyota Sienna
9/10
2021 Toyota Sienna
9/10
Reviewing their practicality, the 2020 Toyota Sienna offered remarkable cargo space, measuring up to 150 cubic feet. However, achieving this required removing the second-row seats. It featured a third-row that folded into the floor, enhancing its versatility despite the manual labor involved in maximizing cargo space. It also included features such as Auto Access Seat for easier mobility inside the vehicle. The 2021 Sienna, though slightly reduced in cargo space to 101 cubic feet behind the first row, brought enhanced functionality with a sliding second row, improving ease of access and flexible cargo arrangement. The inclusion of a hybrid battery did not diminish the available space, thanks to intelligent interior design. Moreover, power-operated doors and a kick-motion tailgate ushered additional convenience suited for family use.
Technology
2020 Toyota Sienna
9/10
2021 Toyota Sienna
9/10
Technologically, the 2020 Sienna's base model was equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring compatibility with Apple CarPlay. Upper trims included enhancements like a JBL audio system and navigation. The Sienna's tech suite was functional but did not break new ground in in-car technology. On the other hand, the 2021 model saw significant advancements with a standard 9-inch touchscreen and added functionalities including Android Auto and a suite of connectivity services. The higher trims offered luxury tech amenities such as a 12-speaker JBL audio system, wireless charging, and a rear entertainment system, reflecting a considerable tech upgrade over its predecessor.
Safety
2020 Toyota Sienna
9/10
2021 Toyota Sienna
7/10
Both models emphasized safety, with the 2020 Sienna featuring Toyota's Safety Sense suite that included lane-keeping assist and collision avoidance, and notable ratings from safety administrations. The 2021 Sienna introduced Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, upgrading its safety offerings with features like road sign assist and enhanced pedestrian detection, maintaining its commitment to passenger safety across all trims.
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By: CarGurus + AI

This car comparison has been created with using generative AI. It is based entirely on CarGurus expert review content, ratings and data, and leverages our extensive library of hands-on product tests to create thousands of unique comparisons to help shoppers choose the right car.

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