2021 Cadillac XT5 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 touches. The SE trim, recommended by CarGurus, included 19-inch alloy wheels, a mesh grille, and a power rear liftgate, which was crucial for family use. The Limited trim added leather seats, a JBL premium audio system, and a navigation system, while the Nightshade Edition offered dark accents and wheels for a cooler look.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 showcased Cadillac's efforts to reclaim its status as a refined vehicle brand. Updated for the 2020 model year with 40 upgrades, including a new engine option, revised styling, and enhanced technology, these changes carried over to the 2021 model. The XT5 featured standard LED lights and 20-inch wheels, giving it a stylish and sophisticated look. Inside, the Premium Luxury trim exuded elegance with cut-and-sewn leather, natural wood, and carbon fiber accents. The interior design was more upscale than its GM sibling, the Chevrolet Blazer, with sweeping horizontal lines and straightforward materials. The XT5 aimed to offer a level of finery that Cadillac shoppers had missed for much of the last decade.

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 that enhanced throttle and shift response, providing stout acceleration in normal Drive mode and extra power for highway overtaking. The Sienna offered both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options, with AWD available only in the 7-passenger configuration. The FWD Sienna returned 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while AWD versions achieved 18/24/20 mpg. The Sienna's low center of gravity and broad base contributed to surprisingly decent handling dynamics, though its twitchy steering response at higher speeds required constant attention.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trim levels. The Luxury and Premium Luxury trims came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The Premium Luxury trim could be upgraded to a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 237 pound-feet of torque, which was standard on the Sport trim. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 provided immediate throttle response but could benefit from additional low-end torque. The XT5 achieved about 25 mpg with AWD during a 2,000-mile test drive, better than the EPA-estimated 21 mpg combined for the V6. The base engine achieved 23 mpg combined with FWD and 21 mpg with AWD. The XT5 handled the road with ease, though the transmission was smoother when upshifting than downshifting.

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 seat. The third row 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 the Sienna a practical choice for families needing these capabilities.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 provided enough room for four adults in two rows, though it technically seated five. The back seat offered good legroom but limited headroom for tall occupants. The front seats, despite their appearance, were not comfortable for extended road trips due to a hard bottom cushion. The XT5 had 30 cubic feet of cargo space, less than competitors like the Nissan Murano and Lincoln Nautilus, but benefited from a deep rear cargo area. The cargo-management system allowed for dividing and securing loose items, and a hands-free programmable height liftgate was available. Small-item storage was limited, with no good place for a smartphone within eyesight and small map pockets.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna's base L trim came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system supporting Amazon Alexa and Apple CarPlay. Other 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, making it easier to communicate with rear passengers.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 featured a streamlined infotainment system and center stack with haptic feedback via hidden-button functionality. The tri-zone automatic climate control system had a chrome toggle switch for temperature adjustments, though it often ran colder than displayed. The XT5 offered a heated steering wheel, heated outboard rear seats, and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. The standard 8-inch infotainment touchscreen housed numerous functionalities, including the automatic start-stop engine on/off switch. The XT5 included one-touch phone pairing, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, AUX port, Bluetooth, wireless charging, and USB-A and USB-C ports. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series sound system available. A rear camera mirror and a head-up display (HUD) were also available.

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 avoidance 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 in NHTSA crash testing and top scores from the IIHS, including a Superior rating for its driver-assistance features.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered front automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change alert with side blind-zone alert. Not all features were available on all trims. The XT5 also included a rear-seat reminder and a rearview camera. Cadillac’s Night Vision technology enhanced nighttime drivability, allowing large wildlife and hazards to be seen at a distance. General Motors’ Teen Driver software was standard, allowing parents to limit certain vehicle features and view a report card of driving habits.