2021 Ford Explorer vs 2020 Toyota Sienna

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, in 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 19-inch alloy wheels, a mesh grille, and a power rear liftgate, which was crucial for families. 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 those who wanted a cooler look.

The 2021 Ford Explorer had a family resemblance to other Ford SUVs, with a sporty, raked beltline and distinctive grille options depending on the trim. It offered six trims, from the base model to the luxurious Platinum, with prices ranging from $32,925 to $52,730. Inside, the Explorer provided three rows of seats as standard, with cloth upholstery on the base model. The dash was clean, featuring an 8-inch LCD touchscreen and large knobs and buttons for the audio system and climate controls. The XLT trim, the most popular, offered better equipment like a power front passenger seat and nicer finishes. Leather upholstery was standard on higher trims like the Limited, ST, Platinum, Timberline, and King Ranch models.

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 Sienna offered stout acceleration in normal Drive mode, with a Sport mode for livelier throttle and shift response. It also had a manual mode, which was rarely used, and a 3,500-pound towing capacity. The Sienna's front-wheel-drive (FWD) version returned 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while the all-wheel-drive (AWD) version returned 18/24/20. The Sienna's low center of gravity and broad base provided surprisingly decent handling dynamics, though its twitchy steering response at higher speeds required constant attention. The Sienna's safety tech, including lane-departure warning and lane-keep assist, helped mitigate this issue.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, weighing 4,345 pounds at its lightest, featured a base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The Limited Hybrid trim offered a V6 hybrid drivetrain with 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims featured a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, delivering 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, while the sport-oriented Explorer ST offered 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. All trims came with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Explorer's towing capacity ranged from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the trim and engine, making it suitable for towing an 18-foot dual axle Airstream. However, it was not exceptional in this class, with competitors like the Subaru Ascent and Chevrolet Tahoe offering similar or higher towing capacities.

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 good choice for those needing mobility conversions.

The 2021 Ford Explorer provided seating for seven in the base trim, with captain’s chairs in the second row for other trims, reducing capacity to six. It offered 39 inches of legroom for second-row passengers, ahead of some competitors but behind others like the Kia Telluride. With the third row deployed, the Explorer had 21 cubic feet of cargo space, but overall cargo volume with the rear seats folded was 81 cubic feet, putting it in competition with smaller SUVs.

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 like the Limited added navigation and a JBL 10-speaker premium audio system. The Driver Easy Speak intercom system, available on the Limited trim, allowed the driver to communicate with rear passengers without straining their voice.

The 2021 Ford Explorer's base trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen with AM/FM radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system, and a six-speaker audio system. The Limited trim added a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and HD radio, while higher trims offered a 10.1-inch touchscreen and up to 14 speakers. The Explorer also provided multiple charging options, including two USB ports in the center console and five 12-volt power points, with a 110-volt AC power outlet available on higher trims.

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 the XLE and Limited trims. The Sienna earned five stars in crash testing by the NHTSA and top scores from the IIHS, including a Superior rating for its driver-assistance features.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top scores on all crash tests and an Acceptable rating for adaptive headlights. The base Explorer came with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including auto high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist and alert, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and dynamic brake support. Higher trims offered additional features like adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and speed sign recognition.