2021 Volvo XC60 vs 2020 Toyota Sienna

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, in its third generation, had been around since 2011 and received updates in 2018. Despite these updates, the 2020 model still felt somewhat dated, with occasional upscale touches. The front doors emitted a hollow "thud" when closed, a detail that many automakers typically refine. The instrument panel appeared to be from Toyota's 2010 parts bin, though its simplicity made the controls user-friendly. The Sienna offered a range of trims, from the well-equipped base L to the luxurious Limited Premium. The base L featured 17-inch alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay. The LE trim added family-friendly features like dual power sliding doors and easy-clean upholstery. 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 navigation. For those prioritizing style, the Nightshade Edition offered dark accents and wheels.

The 2021 Volvo XC60, positioned between the XC40 and XC90, was built on Volvo's SPA platform, shared with other 60-series and 90-series vehicles. The XC60 boasted an elegant, tailored design with short overhangs and crisp details, giving it an agile appearance. The front grille featured Volvo's iron mark logo, and the headlights had a distinctive Thor's hammer LED design. The paint quality, chrome, and trim were beautifully executed, with alloy wheels up to 21 inches on top trims. Inside, the XC60's cabin exuded Scandinavian style with clean lines and authentic materials. The 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen was user-friendly, and the HVAC vents impressed with their elegant design. The cabin's textures and colors were harmonious, making it a pleasant place to spend time.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna was 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 had a manual mode, rarely used, that could assist with its 3,500-pound towing capacity. The Sienna primarily routed power to the front wheels, but AWD was available for all trims except the base L, albeit with a 7-passenger configuration. The FWD Sienna achieved 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 contributed to decent handling dynamics, though its steering response felt twitchy at higher speeds, requiring constant attention.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. T5 models offered FWD or AWD, while T6 and T8 models had AWD only. The T5 produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the T6 delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8, a plug-in hybrid, combined a gasoline engine with an 87-hp electric motor, achieving 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Polestar Engineered model increased output to 415 hp and 472 lb-ft. The XC60's AWD system and torque vectoring provided smooth cornering, and the cabin remained quiet with a comfortable suspension. EPA fuel economy ranged from 22 mpg city/29 highway/25 combined for the T5 FWD to 27 mpg combined for the T8 PHEV, with 57 MPGe in electric-only mode.

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 offered mobility access features, such as the Auto Access Seat, making it easier for those needing mobility conversions.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was designed for comfort and style, with seats praised for adjustability, especially in the front row. The heating system performed well in sub-freezing temperatures, and the heated seats and glass heater effectively managed ice and snow. The cabin featured smart storage solutions, with intuitive controls for passengers. The XC60 provided 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 63.6 cubic feet behind the first row. Each model was rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna's base L trim came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, supporting Amazon Alexa and Apple CarPlay. It also 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.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 featured the Sensus infotainment system, with a tablet-style touchpad interface. It offered smartphone integration with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot with a three-month trial. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system on the test model was exceptional. The Sensus system required a learning curve but was intuitive once familiar.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna included the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) suite, featuring lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, 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 a Good rating from the IIHS, with a Superior rating for its driver-assistance features.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA for T5/T5 AWD and T6 AWD models. It included standard safety features like LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, collision avoidance, and lane-keeping aid. Volvo's semi-autonomous Pilot Assist system was available, integrating adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The XC60's top speed was limited to 112 mph for safety.