2020 Audi Q7 vs 2020 Toyota Sienna

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, part of its third generation, had been around since 2011 and received updates in 2018. Despite these updates, the 2020 model 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 a power moonroof and leather-trimmed seating. The XLE Limited offered premium leather seats, a JBL audio system, and HID headlights. For those prioritizing style, the Nightshade Edition added dark accents and 19-inch wheels.

The 2020 Audi Q7 offered multiple variations, including the 45 TFSI with a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine and the 55 TFSI with a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-litre V6. The performance-tuned Audi SQ7 featured a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8. The Q7 55 TFSI, starting at $75,000 Canadian, featured design changes that improved its front and rear styling, aligning it with the flagship Q8 model. The interior adopted the high-tech dashboard and instrumentation from the Q8, replacing physical controls with digital displays. The Virtual Cockpit panel offered various themes and configurations, while two touch-sensing screens handled infotainment functions. The cabin, decked out in Okapi Brown leather and Gray/Brown Fine Grain Ash wood inlays, exuded an upscale and high-tech vibe. The Technik trim's standard multi-colour ambient lighting added a soothing ambiance at night.

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. The Sienna offered a Sport mode for livelier throttle and shift response, and a manual mode for its 1,587-kilogram towing capacity. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available on trims other than 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 fuel efficiency varied, with the FWD model achieving 12.6 L/100 km in the city and 9.1 on the highway, while AWD versions returned 13.4 L/100 km city and 9.6 highway. The Sienna's low centre of gravity and broad base contributed to decent handling dynamics, though its twitchy steering required constant attention at higher speeds.

The 2020 Audi Q7 55 TFSI introduced a new 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine, generating 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 AWD. Audi Drive Select offered various driving modes, including Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, and Allroad, adjusting drivetrain, steering, and suspension settings. The Q7 accelerated from zero to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds, with a maximum tow rating of just under 3,500 kilograms. Fuel efficiency was rated at 12.0 L/100 km combined, with observed consumption of 11.2 L/100 km during a road trip. The Technik trim included an adaptive air suspension, enhancing ride quality and off-road capability. The Q7's mild-hybrid technology operated seamlessly, maintaining climate control even during extended engine stop/start periods. The SUV's agility, athleticism, and quiet cabin made it enjoyable to drive.

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 third-row seats folded seamlessly into the floor, though accessing the backseat could be challenging. Toyota offered mobility access features, including a built-in rotating lift seat, making the Sienna an affordable option for those needing mobility conversions.

The 2020 Audi Q7, with three rows and seven-passenger capacity, was best suited for five passengers. The third-row seat was suitable only for young children, requiring the second-row seats to slide forward. With the third row in use, cargo space was limited to 402 litres, expandable to 1,010 litres with the third row folded, and 1,970 litres with both rows down. The Q7 provided comfort for a family of four, with eight-way power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats. The second-row seats offered ample legroom and thigh support, with features like four-zone climate control and a panoramic sunroof enhancing comfort. However, interior storage was limited, with the centre console and dashboard screen occupying most space.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna's base CE trim featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth connectivity, and five USB ports. Higher trims offered an 8-inch screen, navigation, and a JBL 10-speaker audio system. The XLE Limited trim included Driver Easy Speak, an intercom system broadcasting the driver's voice to rear speakers, aiding communication with rear passengers.

The 2020 Audi Q7 introduced MMI Touch Response technology, combining a 10.1-inch upper touchscreen with an 8.6-inch lower touchscreen. The system included natural voice recognition, handwriting recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay, navigation, and Audi Connect services. While intuitive, the system's virtual buttons were sometimes unresponsive due to dry fingertips. The Technik trim featured a full-colour head-up display, though it was invisible with polarized sunglasses. The test vehicle's Bose premium sound system delivered quality audio, though Audi planned to replace it with a Bang & Olufsen system for 2021.

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 in various crash tests, with its driver-assistance features rated "Superior."

The 2020 Audi Q7 featured HD Matrix LED headlights, rated "poor" by the IIHS for excessive glare but praised for their illumination on winding roads. The Q7 included advanced driving-assistance systems, with optional features like Emergency Assist, Turn Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Assist. However, the traffic-sign recognition system occasionally misread signs, leading to unexpected braking. The Q7 received the highest IIHS ratings for collision protection, with the headlight assessment preventing a "Top Safety Pick+" designation.