2020 INFINITI QX80 vs 2020 Toyota Sienna

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 looked like it came from Toyota's 2010 parts bin, though its simplicity made the controls easy to use. The Sienna offered various trims, from the base L to the Limited Premium, each adding more features and luxury. The SE trim, recommended by CarGurus, included a power rear liftgate, which was crucial for families. The Nightshade Edition added dark accents and wheels for those who wanted a cooler look.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80, the flagship SUV in Infiniti’s lineup, was substantially larger than its siblings, the QX50 and QX60. For 2020, it was available in two trims: Luxe and Limited. The exterior, refreshed in 2018, featured modern details like welcome lights, power-folding mirrors, LED fog lights, and adaptive front lighting. The QX80's cabin had improved materials, though some trim pieces lagged behind competitors. The infotainment system was updated to a sleeker, more modern display. The upscale cabin was filled with soft-touch materials, but the center stack's piano-black plastic was prone to fingerprints. The 2020 Infiniti QX80 Edition 30 was our tester.

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 dash-mounted shifter had a Sport mode for livelier throttle and shift response. The Sienna offered stout acceleration in normal Drive mode and had a manual mode for its 3,500-pound towing capacity. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, but all trims except the base L had an all-wheel drive (AWD) option. 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, though its twitchy steering at higher speeds required constant attention.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 was powered by a 5.6-liter V8 engine, shared with the Nissan Armada, producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission with a manual-shift mode. The QX80's powertrain handled its heavy load well, though the transmission was clunky when downshifting. Fuel efficiency was a weak point, with the RWD version getting 14 mpg city, 20 highway, and 16 combined, while the 4WD version got 13/19/15. The QX80 Luxe offered both RWD and 4WD, while the Limited came standard with 4WD. The QX80 was capable off-road, with Normal, Snow, and Mud drive modes. Steering was light at low speeds but required constant attention at higher speeds. The optional Hydraulic Body Motion Control system and standard rear auto-leveling suspension provided a smooth ride and kept the SUV level when towing.

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 was challenging. Toyota also offered mobility access features, like the Auto Access Seat, making it easier for those with mobility issues.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 provided plush, spacious seating in the first two rows, but the third row had limited legroom, best for small children or pets. Standard seating for seven included captain’s chairs in the second row, with an optional 60/40 split-folding bench. The leather-appointed seats were available in perforated semi-aniline leather or Alcantara with quilting. The driver’s seat was 10-way power-adjustable, and the passenger’s seat was eight-way power-adjustable, both with lumbar support. Heated and climate-controlled front seats were standard, with heated outboard second-row seats available. The QX80 offered 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 49.6 cubic feet behind the second row, and 95.1 cubic feet with both rows folded. A power liftgate was standard.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna's base L trim came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system supporting Amazon Alexa and Apple CarPlay. Standard tech features included Bluetooth connectivity, five USB ports, and a WiFi hotspot with a 6-month trial. Higher trims added features like navigation and a JBL 10-speaker premium audio system. The Limited trim included Driver Easy Speak, an intercom system that broadcasted the driver’s voice to the rear speakers.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 featured an 8-inch upper infotainment touch screen and a 7.0-inch lower touch screen, allowing for split functionality. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, satellite radio, Bluetooth, keyless entry, remote start, tri-zone climate control, a moonroof, a CD player, a 12-volt outlet, and four USB ports. Upgrades included two 8.0-inch displays, a rear-seat entertainment system, and a WiFi hotspot. A 13-speaker Bose stereo was standard, with a 17-speaker system available. SiriusXM services came with a four-year trial period.

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 2020 INFINITI QX80, though older, had a good roster of standard and available safety features. Standard features included automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and automatic collision notification. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, distance-control assist, and lane-keep assist. The QX80 earned "good" scores in moderate overlap front and side crash tests from the IIHS and had a moderate risk of rollover according to the NHTSA.