2020 Audi Q7 vs 2020 Toyota Sienna

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, part of its third generation, had been around since 2011 and received a refresh in 2018. Despite these updates, the 2020 model still felt somewhat dated, with occasional upscale touches overshadowed by its overall aged appearance. The hollow "thud" of the front doors and the simplistic instrument panel, reminiscent of Toyota's 2010 parts, highlighted its age. However, this simplicity also made the controls user-friendly. The Sienna offered a range of trims, from the well-equipped base L to the luxurious Limited Premium, each adding features like power sliding doors, leather upholstery, and a power rear liftgate. The Nightshade Edition added a touch of style with dark accents and wheels, appealing to those who wanted a minivan with a bit of flair.

In contrast, the 2020 Audi Q7 presented a more modern and luxurious aesthetic. The Q7 55 TFSI, priced from $60,800, featured design updates that aligned it with the flagship Q8 model. The Prestige trim, tested with additional packages, showcased a sophisticated interior with Okapi Brown leather and Fine Grain Ash wood inlays. The cabin was high-tech, adopting the dashboard and instrumentation from the Q8, with three digital displays replacing most physical controls. The Q7's exterior updates, including new wheels and lighting elements, enhanced its visual appeal, while the interior offered a soothing ambiance with multi-color ambient lighting.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 296 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque through an 8-speed automatic transmission. It offered a Sport mode for enhanced throttle and shift response, and a manual mode for those who needed it. The Sienna's front-wheel-drive configuration provided the best fuel economy, with 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while the all-wheel-drive option, available on all trims except the base L, offered 18/24/20 mpg. The Sienna's handling was surprisingly decent for a minivan, with a low center of gravity and broad base contributing to its stability. However, its twitchy steering required constant attention at higher speeds.

The 2020 Audi Q7 55 TFSI introduced a new 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine, producing 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. It featured a 48-volt mild-hybrid system to conserve fuel, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel-drive. Audi Drive Select offered various driving modes, including Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, and Allroad, adjusting the drivetrain, steering, and suspension settings. The Q7 accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds and had a towing capacity of 7,700 pounds. It averaged 21 mpg during a road trip, with the adaptive air suspension providing a smooth ride. The Q7 excelled in both urban and off-road settings, with its quiet cabin enhancing the driving experience.

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 could be cumbersome with the bench option. The third row folded seamlessly into the floor, but accessing the backseat was challenging. Toyota also offered mobility access features, such as the Auto Access Seat, making the Sienna a practical choice for families needing additional accessibility.

The 2020 Audi Q7, while offering three rows of seats, was best suited for five passengers. The third row was cramped and suitable only for children, with limited cargo space when in use. Folding the third row expanded cargo capacity to 35.7 cubic feet, and folding both rows provided 69.6 cubic feet. The Q7's interior was comfortable for long trips, with heated and ventilated front seats and ample legroom in the second row. However, interior storage was limited, with the center console and dashboard screen occupying most available space.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Amazon Alexa, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth connectivity. It included five USB ports and a WiFi hotspot with a 6-month trial. The Limited trim added navigation and a JBL 10-speaker audio system. The Driver Easy Speak intercom system allowed the driver to communicate with rear passengers without raising their voice.

The 2020 Audi Q7 introduced MMI Touch Response technology, combining a 10.1-inch and an 8.6-inch touchscreen for system access. It supported natural voice recognition, handwriting recognition, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Prestige trim included a head-up display and a Bose premium sound system. The MMI system was generally intuitive, though dry fingertips occasionally caused unresponsiveness. The Q7's 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was useful for remote learning and work during trips.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came standard with the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) suite, including lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and dynamic cruise control. It earned five stars from the NHTSA and top ratings from the IIHS, with optional blind-spot monitoring on lower trims and standard on XLE and Limited trims.

The 2020 Audi Q7 featured HD Matrix LED headlights, rated "poor" by the IIHS for glare but praised for their illumination. It offered advanced driving-assistance systems, including Emergency Assist, Turn Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Assist. However, the traffic-sign recognition system occasionally misread signs, leading to unexpected braking. The Q7 received high ratings from the IIHS, with the headlight assessment preventing a "Top Safety Pick+" designation.