2023 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2023 Toyota Sienna

Many car shoppers found the minivan aesthetic a tough sell. Memories of childhood road trips in boxy minivans with sliding doors might have influenced this sentiment. The arrival of the 1990’s body-on-frame SUVs eclipsed the minivan's social status, but these were later replaced by car-based crossovers, resembling high-riding minivans without the sliding doors. Toyota worked hard to rid the Sienna of its minivan style. The front-end styling resembled a Japanese bullet train, and some trims featured 20-inch wheels. Trim levels ranged from the base LE to the top-shelf Platinum, along with a new 25th Anniversary Special Edition. The XLE trim, favored for its LED fog lights, power-sliding doors, and power liftgate, appealed to value-conscious shoppers. Inside, the Platinum trim boasted high-quality brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents. The Sienna was available with seating for seven or eight passengers, with LATCH anchors supporting three-across car seats in the middle row for larger families.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox may not have boasted the space-age design of a Kia Sportage or the rugged looks of a Toyota RAV4, but it was undoubtedly an attractive crossover. The chunky front end and restrained bodywork gave it a balanced look, with the Bowtie emblem adding character depending on the paint color. Offered in four trims—LS, LT, RS, and Premier—the Equinox could be configured with FWD or AWD. With a thick C-pillar and large windows, it conveyed an impression of spaciousness. Inside, the Premier trim featured handsome two-tone leather upholstery and standard heated front seats. Despite its dated interior compared to competitors, the Equinox’s practical design and simple controls made it user-friendly. The Confidence and Convenience II package added noteworthy amenities like lumbar adjustments, ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats, at a price.

In terms of performance, the Sienna featured a hybrid-only powertrain since its fourth generation release in 2020. Toyota combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two front-mounted electric motors and an additional rear-mounted motor for AWD trims, delivering 245 horsepower—a bit underwhelming compared to rivals. The Sienna's CVT lacked sufficient power for its size, making its acceleration lackluster. However, the chassis and steering were top-notch. Despite being a large minivan, it was nimble and enjoyable to drive, especially in the city with its light steering and tidy turning radius. Various driving modes were available, but the Normal mode proved most practical.

The Equinox’s sole powertrain was a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, generating 175 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque, yielding a modest improvement from previous models. While sufficient for city driving, the engine struggled above 30 mph, and the older six-speed automatic transmission exacerbated the noise during acceleration. The AWD system required manual engagement, which some found quirky, albeit not overly problematic. The new electronically assisted brake-by-wire system improved braking performance. Overall, the Equinox’s chassis dynamics were impressive, with tight, accurate steering making it fun to drive.

The Sienna excelled in storage solutions with cubbies, nooks, and bins. A large cubby below the center console, a long dashboard shelf, and numerous cupholders catered to families. At over 200 inches long with a 120.5-inch wheelbase, it offered substantial cargo space. Behind the third row, it provided 33.5 cubic feet, expanding to 75.2 cubic feet with the seat folded, and 101 cubic feet total. Although short of some competitors due to its permanent middle row, the Sienna accommodated adult passengers comfortably, especially with adjustable middle-row captain's chairs that included extending ottomans.

The Equinox, although not as spacious as the CR-V, offered 29.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 63.9 cubic feet with them folded—less than most major competitors. Despite this, passenger space was ample, with plenty of head- and legroom for a six-foot-tall driver and rear passenger. The interior featured higher-quality plastic components compared to older GM models, numerous cupholders, a decent center console bin, and good door pockets. The Premier trim’s standard power liftgate operated quietly, adding convenience.

The 2023 Sienna’s technology lagged behind newer Toyota models. It housed an older infotainment interface with core features like SiriusXM, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, accessible via a 9-inch touchscreen. Physical buttons facilitated ease of use. However, the interface felt dated and somewhat clunky, requiring wired connections for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Despite its age, the system was reliable, and the optional 12-speaker JBL audio system delivered good sound quality.

In contrast, the Equinox's technology emphasized simplicity. While its touchscreen interface was modest in size (7 inches in lower trims, 8 inches in Premier), it was crisp, clear, and responsive. The infotainment system featured customizable icons, quick-access hard buttons, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. The Premier trim included a wireless charging pad, enhancing convenience despite the basic driver-information display.

The 2023 Sienna excelled in safety, equipped with standard ADAS such as automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. It earned a 5-star rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS. Although it lacked some family-friendly tech features found in competitors, its safety credentials were top-tier.

The Equinox also featured standard ADAS, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keeping and departure assistance, and automatic high beams. However, it lacked advanced autonomous driving tech. It received a 5-star rating from NHTSA but didn't fare as well with IIHS, scoring poorly in moderate overlap front and marginal in side-impact crash tests.