2023 Ford Escape vs 2024 Toyota Sienna

The 2023 Ford Escape showcased a departure from its earlier rugged, boxy design, embracing a more European aesthetic. This shift was evident in the refreshed front end, which replaced the previous grille with a more traditional look, featuring the Ford blue oval logo and a stylish LED light bar. Despite its smaller size in Ford's SUV lineup, the Escape managed to present an upscale appearance, especially in the ST-Line Elite trim, with its 19-inch wheels and sleek body-colour accents. Inside, the Escape's diamond-stitched leather upholstery, although visually appealing, felt somewhat hard and plasticky. The interior was dominated by plastic materials, some of which felt cost-cutting, but the seats were comfortable and supportive, making it a pleasant vehicle for long drives.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna, available in various trims, offered a distinctive look with sleek front and rear fascias and a range of vibrant colours. The XSE trim, in particular, stood out with its sporty features like a black metallic mesh grille and 20-inch dark wheels. Inside, the Sienna provided a spacious and practical environment, with features like a lower storage pass-through and multiple cupholders. The second-row captain's chairs offered ample legroom, although their slide function was somewhat complicated. The third row was accessible and provided generous legroom when the second row was adjusted. The Sienna's interior was equipped with tri-zone climate control, ensuring comfort for all passengers, and the rear liftgate revealed substantial cargo space, making it a versatile choice for families.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered a range of powertrain options, including a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque. This engine could be paired with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive, providing competitive performance within its segment. Higher trims like the ST-Line Elite featured a more powerful 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, exclusively with all-wheel drive. While the Escape's suspension was soft and compliant, making it comfortable for everyday driving, it lacked the precision of a performance crossover. The brakes were predictable and linear, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness found in some competitors.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna, as a hybrid minivan, combined a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, producing a total of 245 horsepower. While the Sienna featured a sport-tuned suspension and a Sport mode, it felt sluggish off the line, and the continuously variable transmission (CVT) contributed to a less engaging driving experience. However, the Sienna excelled in urban environments, offering smooth acceleration and light, accurate steering. The brakes were somewhat grabby, but visibility was excellent. The Sienna's hybrid system provided an Eco mode for efficient driving and an EV mode for low-speed areas, enhancing its practicality for everyday use.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided a comfortable interior with supportive seats and excellent ergonomics. The steering wheel, although plain in appearance, was pleasant to hold, and the armrests were well-positioned. The Escape's cargo space, with up to 1,061 litres behind the second row and 1,851 litres with the second row folded, was adequate for daily use but fell short compared to some competitors. Rear-seat legroom was slightly less than rivals, but headroom was impressive, and the front-seat backs were designed to maximize space for rear passengers.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior space and functionality, with a lower storage pass-through and multiple cupholders. The second-row captain's chairs offered up to 101.5 centimetres of legroom, although their slide function was complex, and they couldn't be removed, limiting maximum cargo space. The third row was accessible and provided ample legroom, with seats that tilted for added comfort. The Sienna's tri-zone climate control ensured a comfortable environment for all passengers, and the rear liftgate revealed 949 litres of cargo space, expandable to 2,860 litres with the second row folded.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 infotainment system, featuring a large 13.2-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system was well-organized, with easy navigation between features like Android Auto and the native navigation system. A wi-fi hotspot was available with a subscription, and the audio system could be upgraded to a Bang & Olufsen setup. While Sync 4 was slightly slow to respond, its overall feature set and ease of use were commendable.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna, however, was equipped with an older infotainment system, featuring a nine-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the system included physical buttons for common menus, the backup camera's grainy view was disappointing. The Sienna offered available SiriusXM satellite radio and a 12-speaker JBL stereo system, along with a rear-camera mirror for improved visibility. USB ports were plentiful, and a 1500-watt inverter with a 120-volt outlet was available for added convenience.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with top scores in frontal and side-crash tests. However, the IIHS did not award it a Top Safety Pick designation due to a Marginal score in the updated side-impact test. The Escape came standard with Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite, including features like forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The optional Co-Pilot360 2.0 added advanced features like adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna featured the Toyota Safety Sense suite, including lane departure alert, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. While most systems performed well, the lane-keeping assist exhibited some side-to-side movement. The Sienna was equipped with numerous airbags, including side curtain airbags for all rows, and received a four-star rating from the NHTSA for frontal crash and rollover protection. The IIHS rated it "Good" in crashworthiness but "Average" in front crash prevention.