2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Toyota Sienna

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was a striking presence on the road, with its bold design inspired by the Toyota Tundra pickup truck. The SUV's newly creased and kinked body gave it a more commanding presence compared to its predecessor. While the Sequoia's traditional grille and front bumper differentiated it from the Tundra's "manta ray on wheels" look, its appeal was subjective. Inside, the Sequoia shared an industrial theme with the Tundra, featuring upscale materials like leather, wood, and metallic finishes in the Capstone trim. The 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system dominated the dashboard, and the interior's cream white-over-black two-tone colour scheme added a touch of luxury. However, some interior materials reminded occupants of the SUV's pickup truck origins.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna aimed to shed its minivan image with a design reminiscent of a Japanese bullet train. Despite its minivan roots, the Sienna offered larger cargo capacity, easy access, and creative interior features, making it a smart choice for families. The Sienna's interior was thoughtfully designed, with ample storage solutions and a long shelf extending across the dashboard. The minivan's spaciousness was evident, with seating for seven or eight passengers and a deep cargo area. The second-row captain's chairs were functional and comfortable, with extending ottomans for added support. The Sienna's interior was easy to love, with high-quality materials and thoughtful design elements.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a powerful hybrid powertrain, featuring a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator, and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This setup delivered an impressive 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 583 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm. The Sequoia's towing capacity increased to 4,137 kilograms (9,120 pounds) in Canada, surpassing the previous model's 3,356 kilograms (7,400 pounds). Fuel efficiency improved, with a rating of 11.7 L/100 km in combined driving with 4WD. The Sequoia offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience. However, the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive, and the steering was slow, requiring effort in tight manoeuvres.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and two front-mounted electric motors, plus a third rear-mounted motor for AWD trims. This setup produced 245 net system horsepower, which was less impressive compared to competitors. The Sienna's acceleration was lacklustre, but its chassis and steering were commendable. The minivan was nimble and easy to drive around town, with a light steering feel that made city driving a breeze. The Sienna offered drive modes like EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport, but Normal mode was recommended for the best balance. While the Sienna's powertrain lacked excitement, its driving dynamics were surprisingly enjoyable for a minivan.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a comfortable cabin with soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium audio system, and a triple-zone climate control system. The Sequoia's interior featured power-deploying running boards, a panoramic glass moonroof, and captain's chairs in the second row. However, the third-row seat was less comfortable due to its high floor and low roof. Cargo space was limited, with 325 litres behind the third row, expandable to 631 litres by sliding the seat forward. The Sequoia's total cargo capacity was 2,460 litres, which was smaller than its predecessor and segment rivals.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna offered brilliant interior storage solutions, with ample space for bags and a long shelf across the dashboard. The minivan's three-zone climate control and numerous cupholders added to its practicality. The Sienna's cargo space was impressive, with 949 litres behind the third row and a total of 2,860 litres. While the middle row couldn't be removed or folded into the floor, the Sienna's second-row captain's chairs were functional and comfortable, with extending ottomans for added support. The Sienna's interior was spacious and well-designed, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with a 14-inch touchscreen in most trims. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the Intelligent Assistant responded to voice commands. However, the system had some quirks, such as glare on the display and issues with Bluetooth pairing. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system, enhancing the driving experience.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna used an older infotainment interface, with a 9-inch touchscreen and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system required a wired connection for smartphone integration and had some usability quirks. Despite its dated design, the Sienna's technology was reliable, and the 12-speaker JBL premium audio system provided good sound quality.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included features like forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Sequoia also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors with automatic braking. While crash test ratings were not available, the Sequoia's safety features were impressive.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna also offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS, highlighting its strong safety performance.