2020 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, in its third generation, had been around since the 2011 model year and received updates in 2018. Despite these updates, the 2020 version still felt somewhat dated, with occasional upscale touches. The front doors emitted a hollow "thud" when closed, indicating a lack of attention to fit and finish. The instrument panel appeared to be from Toyota's 2010 parts bin, though its simplicity made the controls user-friendly. The Sienna offered various trims, including CE, LE, SE, and XLE, each with distinct features. The base CE trim was well-equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay. The LE trim added family-friendly features like sliding dual power side doors and heated front seats. The SE trim included a power liftgate and leather upholstery, while the XLE added luxury touches like leather-trimmed seating and a power moonroof. The Nightshade Edition, available on the SE trim, added dark accents for a cooler look.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was designed as an electric vehicle from the ground up, showcasing a distinctive look compared to Volkswagen's gasoline models. It featured a streamlined profile with wheels pushed to the corners, departing from the straight lines and sharp angles of the Tiguan and Atlas crossovers. The ID.4 was part of VW's EV-specific MEB platform, following the European-market ID.3 hatchback. While it resembled the ID.3, the ID.4 aimed to appeal to North American crossover buyers. Its interior design combined Volkswagen's minimalism with a smartphone aesthetic, featuring piano black and matte plastic elements. The base ID.4 Pro came with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth seats, with leatherette upholstery available in the Statement Package. The ID.4's interior was spacious, with good front headroom, but rearward visibility was hindered by thick rear pillars and a small back window.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 296 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a Sport mode for livelier throttle and shift response, and a manual mode for towing up to 1,587 kilograms. The Sienna's powertrain sent power to the front wheels as standard, with AWD available on all trims except the base CE. AWD versions were limited to a 7-passenger configuration, a trade-off many buyers accepted for the added traction. The Sienna's FWD version delivered the best fuel efficiency, with 12.6 L/100 km in the city, 9.1 on the highway, and 11.0 combined. AWD versions returned 13.4 L/100 km city, 9.6 highway, and 11.7 combined. The Sienna handled surprisingly well for a minivan, with a low centre of gravity and broad base, though its steering response was twitchy at higher speeds.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered two powertrain configurations. The base RWD version featured a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, powered by an 82-kilowatt-hour battery pack. An AWD version added a second electric motor for a total output of 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The ID.4's RWD setup provided balanced handling, with the front wheels steering and the rear wheels driving. While not sporty, the ID.4 was tuned for comfort, with a smooth ride over bumps and potholes. The electric motor delivered ample power, and instantaneous torque made acceleration enjoyable. Unlike many EVs, the ID.4 did not offer aggressive regenerative braking for one-pedal driving, opting for a more traditional driving experience with friction brakes.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna excelled in cargo space, offering 4,247 litres, 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 Sienna's third-row seats folded seamlessly into the floor, but getting into the backseat could be challenging. Toyota also offered mobility access features, such as the Auto Access Seat, making it easier for those needing mobility conversions.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 felt spacious compared to other EVs, with more front and rear headroom than competitors, though legroom was average. It offered 858 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 1,818 litres with them folded, more than some EV rivals but less than gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The ID.4 lacked a "frunk" for extra storage, prioritizing cabin space instead. The interior felt roomy, with good forward visibility, though rearward visibility was limited. The ID.4 featured a unique twist-grip gear selector on the dashboard, freeing up space on the centre console, though storage was limited.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna's base CE trim came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, supporting Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth connectivity. Higher trims offered an 8-inch screen, navigation, and a JBL 10-speaker premium audio system. The XLE Limited trim included Driver Easy Speak, an intercom system for communicating with rear passengers.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 featured a standard 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with a 12-inch screen optional. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a 5.3-inch display screen serving as the instrument cluster. Haptic touchpads replaced traditional switchgear, though they were challenging to use without tactile feedback. The ID.4 included a natural-language voice-control system and ID.Light, a light strip communicating information to the driver. While some features felt gimmicky, the touchscreen was well-positioned with smart graphics and easy-to-navigate menus.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came standard with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P), including lane-departure alert, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, dynamic cruise control, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on SE models and above. The Sienna earned five stars from the NHTSA and a "Good" rating from the IIHS, with its driver-assistance features rated "Superior."

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA for RWD versions. It offered driver aids like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. New features included Travel Assist, adding automated lane centring, and Emergency Assist, stopping the car if the driver is incapacitated. Travel Assist performed well, smoothly following curves and responding to acceleration and deceleration.