2023 Toyota RAV4 vs 2024 Toyota Sienna

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 was available in Canada in four trim levels, ranging from the RAV4 LE at just over $35,000 to the RAV4 Limited, which exceeded $45,000. The design remained consistent with the 2019 model, particularly in the Trail trim, which featured a distinctive two-part face. The Trail trim, tested in the US, showcased a more aggressive grille, blacked-out wheels, and additional black cladding, giving it a rugged appearance. However, it was more of a style statement than a true off-road performer. Inside, the Trail trim added orange accents, contrast stitching, and a frameless rearview mirror, offering a touch of premium feel. The RAV4's interior varied by trim, with options for fabric or synthetic leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, and dual-zone climate control.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna, available in LE, XLE, XSE, and Limited trims, offered a distinctive look with sleek front and rear fascias and a range of colours like deep blue, red, or bronze. The XSE trim, tested in the US, featured a sporty design with a black metallic mesh grille, black heated side mirrors, and 20-inch dark wheels. The Sienna's interior included cloth seats, three-zone climate control, and room for eight passengers. The XSE trim replaced the second-row bench with captain's chairs and added leatherette-trimmed sport seats. The interior design emphasized spaciousness with horizontal lines and satin accents. While not luxurious, it was practical for families. The Sienna's fixed centre console and easy-to-reach cup holders added convenience, making it a suitable choice for family adventures.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came with standard all-wheel drive (AWD) across all trims, featuring a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the RAV4's performance was more "unobjectionable" than "exciting," with a noticeable engine noise. The Trail trim, with its 19-inch wheels and all-season tires, shared the same suspension setup as other RAV4 models, offering a comfortable ride but lacking in off-road prowess.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna was a hybrid minivan, combining a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, delivering a total of 245 horsepower. AWD models added an electric motor for the rear wheels. While the Sienna featured a sport-tuned suspension and a Sport mode, its performance was sluggish, especially during highway merging or uphill climbs. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) contributed to a smooth but slow acceleration, and the CVT's noise was noticeable. Around town, the Sienna provided a pleasant driving experience, with light steering and excellent visibility. However, the brakes were a bit grabby, and the minivan's performance was overshadowed by competitors like the Honda Odyssey and Kia Carnival.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 was designed to seat five passengers, offering 958 millimetres of headroom in the front row and 1,001 mm in the back seats. While it provided more rear headroom than competitors like the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester, it fell short in front-row legroom. The RAV4's interior featured convenient storage options, including a shelf above the glove compartment and generous door pockets. Cargo space was competitive, with 1,059 litres behind the second row and 1,977 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior space, with a lower storage pass-through for bulkier items and multiple cupholders. The second-row captain's chairs could slide fore and aft, providing up to 101.5 centimetres of legroom. However, the slide function was complex, and the seats couldn't be removed, limiting cargo space. The third row offered ample legroom, and the seats tilted for added comfort. The Sienna featured tri-zone climate control, with an additional zone for the front passenger in the XSE trim. The rear liftgate revealed 949 litres of cargo space, expandable to 2,860 litres with the second row folded.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 introduced a new infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen, upgraded to a 10.5-inch screen in the Limited trim. The system supported over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The RAV4 Trail trim, however, did not receive the upgraded multimedia system. The Limited trim featured an 11-speaker JBL Premium audio system, while a 7-inch driver-information display was standard, with a 12.3-inch version in the Limited trim.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna retained Toyota's older infotainment technology, 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. USB ports were scattered throughout the cabin, and a 1500-watt inverter with a 120-volt outlet was available for the second row and rear cargo area.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came with standard safety features, including lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The updated Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite included Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. The RAV4 received a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), with top scores in crash-testing.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna featured the Toyota Safety Sense suite, including lane departure alert, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. While most systems worked well, the lane-keeping assist showed some side-to-side movement. The Sienna had plenty of airbags, including side curtain airbags for all three rows. It received a four-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for frontal crash and rollover protection and a five-star rating for side crash protection. The IIHS rated the Sienna "Good" in crashworthiness but "Average" in front crash prevention.