2023 Genesis GV80 vs 2024 Toyota Sienna

The 2023 Genesis GV80 presented a sophisticated and graceful exterior with its quad-lamp headlights and bold grille, embodying a stately presence as a midsize SUV. The standard 19-inch wheels were upgraded to 22-inch alloy wheels in the Prestige trim, enhancing its elegant appearance. The rear design mirrored the front with four-part taillamps above the dual exhaust, and the hands-free liftgate maintained a boxy shape, which did not detract from its overall elegance. The matte Brunswick Green paint added a touch of refinement, which continued inside with quilted leather seats in a matching dark green. The interior featured a split dash with thin horizontal air vents, complemented by metal and matte wood trim. The center console was highlighted by three large dials for infotainment, transmission, and drive modes, while the unique two-spoke steering wheel set it apart from other luxury brands. The spacious and luxurious interior was slightly marred by the 14.5-inch infotainment screen, which seemed awkwardly placed atop the dash.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna, available in multiple trims including LE, XLE, XSE, Woodland Edition, Limited, and Platinum, maintained a distinctive look reminiscent of its "swagger wagon" days. Competing with the Kia Carnival for style points, the Sienna featured sleek front and rear fascias and was available in vibrant colors like deep blue, red, or green. Standard LED lighting was enhanced in upper trims with Bi-LED projector headlamps. The XSE trim, considered the sporty option, boasted a black metallic mesh front grille, black heated side mirrors, and 20-inch dark wheels. The Woodland Edition, designed for off-road readiness, offered exclusive colors and features like roof rails, a tow hitch, and increased ground clearance. The Sienna's interior, while not luxurious, was practical and family-friendly, with options like leather-trimmed heated and cooled front seats, captain’s chairs in the second row, and a leather-trimmed power steering wheel with ADAS controls. The horizontal design lines contributed to a sense of spaciousness, and the fixed center console with satin accents provided easy access to cup holders and the shifter. Upper trims even offered a built-in vacuum cleaner, ideal for maintaining cleanliness in a family vehicle.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 was available exclusively with all-wheel drive, offering a choice between a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, or a turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Despite its power, the GV80 was not particularly athletic or nimble, taking about five and a half seconds to reach sixty miles per hour, which was slower than some competitors. While it handled turns adequately, it lacked the precision of its German rivals. However, the GV80 excelled in highway driving, with smooth power delivery and shifts, and an electronically controlled suspension that adjusted to road conditions using a forward-facing camera. Combined with active noise cancellation, the GV80 provided a serene and comfortable highway experience.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna, a hybrid minivan, combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors for front-wheel drive, or an additional motor for all-wheel drive, producing a total of 245 horsepower. Despite the sport-tuned suspension and Sport mode, the Sienna's performance was not particularly exciting, feeling sluggish off the line with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that contributed to a slow and sometimes noisy ride. While acceleration was smooth, it was not particularly quick, especially when merging onto highways or climbing hills. Around town, the Sienna offered a pleasant, if unremarkable, driving experience, with Normal or Eco mode being the most suitable. The brakes were occasionally grabby, but the steering was light and accurate, and visibility was excellent. For those seeking more driving pleasure, alternatives like the Honda Odyssey, Kia Carnival, or Chrysler Pacifica offered stronger V6 engines.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 compensated for its lack of driving excitement with a wealth of features and luxury touches. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard in most trims, with our tester featuring ventilated front and rear seats adjustable in multiple ways. The Ergo Motion driver’s seat, with its seven inflatable pockets, helped reduce fatigue. The Nappa leather seats were sumptuous, and while a third row was available, its limited legroom made it suitable only for children. The GV80 offered convenience features like Genesis puddle lamps, a proximity key, and a digital key. The tri-zone climate control system ensured comfort for all passengers, and the optional 21-speaker stereo system catered to audiophiles. The suede headliner and panoramic glass roof added a touch of luxury. The GV80 also boasted significant utility, with 34.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expandable to 84 cubic feet with the seats folded. It had a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds with trailer brakes.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna excelled in practicality, though some seating features were complex. The front offered a lower storage pass-through for bulkier items, four cupholders, and a shelf above the glovebox with a wireless charging pad. The powered side doors could be closed from the second row, where captain’s chairs offered up to 40 inches of legroom. Upper trims included an ottoman for added comfort, though the slide function was complicated, and the seats were not removable, limiting cargo space. The third row was accessible for adults and offered 39 inches of legroom when the second row was moved forward. The Sienna featured tri-zone climate control, with an additional zone for the front passenger in the XSE trim. The rear liftgate, activated by a kick motion, revealed 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 101 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, accompanied by a 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster. While the 3D effects were somewhat gimmicky, the head-up display projected information into the driver’s field of view. The infotainment screen was slightly out of reach for touch use, and the dial control, though tactile, was cumbersome. The system had a steep learning curve, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, albeit not wirelessly. The GV80 included wireless charging, multiple USB ports, and a 110-volt outlet. The remote smart parking assist allowed the vehicle to maneuver in and out of parking spaces without the driver inside, a unique and convenient feature.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna retained Toyota’s older infotainment technology, featuring a nine-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the newer system offered better graphics and features, the physical buttons for common menus were appreciated. The backup camera was grainy, and the analog gauges included a 7-inch digital display for essential information. The Sienna offered a standard Wi-Fi hotspot, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an optional 12-speaker JBL stereo system. An available rear-camera mirror provided a wide-angle video feed, though our tester lacked this feature. The Sienna included numerous USB ports and a 1500-watt inverter with a 120-volt outlet, though these required activation via a button near the driver’s seat. Optional features included an 11.6-inch rear-seat entertainment system and a 10-inch head-up display.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard advanced driver’s aids, including forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. A standout feature was the video feed of the car’s blind spot displayed in the digital gauge cluster, providing a clear view without requiring the driver to turn their head. The GV80 also featured Highway Drive Assist, which used various systems to provide a hands-on/eyes-up driving aid on approved highways. While effective, it struggled with lane-keeping when facing into the sun. The GV80 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a "Good" rating for crashworthiness from the IIHS, though its headlights and LATCH system were rated as "Acceptable."

The 2024 Toyota Sienna came standard with the Toyota Safety Sense suite, including lane departure alert, automatic emergency braking, road sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. While most systems performed well, the lane-keeping assist caused some side-to-side movement. The Sienna featured numerous airbags, including side curtain airbags for all rows, and reminders for rear passengers and cargo. The NHTSA rated the Sienna with four stars for frontal crash and rollover protection and five stars for side crash protection. The IIHS awarded it a "Good" rating for crashworthiness, though its front crash prevention was rated as "Average."