2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2023 Toyota Sienna

The 2023 Toyota Sienna aimed to redefine the minivan aesthetic, shedding its traditional image with a design that echoed the sleekness of a Japanese bullet train. Toyota offered a variety of trims, from the base LE to the luxurious Limited, with the 25th Anniversary Special Edition adding a touch of exclusivity. The Sienna's interior was a highlight, featuring high-quality materials and thoughtful design elements like wood-grain accents and brown leather upholstery. It accommodated seven or eight passengers, with the eight-seater option allowing for three-across car seats in the middle row, making it a practical choice for families.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 presented a modern take on the SUV, with subtle styling updates like gloss black trim on the front bumper and a squared-off rear bumper for improved aerodynamics. The ID.4's design was distinctively EV, lacking the traditional SUV profile but offering a spacious interior. Built on VW's MEB platform, it promised versatility and quality, with a minimalist interior design that carried over the best features from VW's gasoline models. The ID.4's interior was both functional and eco-friendly, featuring leatherette upholstery made partly from recycled fibres.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and electric motors, delivering a combined 245 horsepower. While this setup was less powerful than some competitors, the Sienna's chassis and steering impressed with their nimbleness and ease of handling. The Sienna offered various drive modes, but the EV mode was largely ineffective, and the Sport mode didn't significantly alter the driving experience. Despite its size, the Sienna was enjoyable to drive, particularly in urban settings, thanks to its light steering and tidy turning radius.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered two battery options: a new 62-kWh pack for the base model and an 82-kWh pack for the Pro model. The single-motor RWD models produced 201 horsepower, while the dual-motor AWD version delivered 295 horsepower, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The ID.4's smaller battery reduced weight, enhancing acceleration and handling. However, while the AWD model rivalled hot hatchbacks in acceleration, it lacked the handling finesse. The ID.4's regenerative braking system allowed for coasting but didn't support one-pedal driving, which might disappoint some EV enthusiasts.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior storage, with numerous cubbies, shelves, and bins. It offered 949 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,129 litres with the seats folded, and a total of 2,860 litres. However, the middle row couldn't be removed or folded into the floor, limiting maximum cargo space compared to competitors. The Sienna's second-row captain's chairs were highly functional, with features like extending ottomans and sliding tracks for added comfort and legroom. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard, with higher trims offering ventilated front seats and heated second-row seats.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 provided ample interior space, surpassing other affordable EVs in legroom and headroom. It offered 858 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,818 litres with them folded. While it fell short of gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V in terms of space, it was a practical choice among entry-level EVs. The ID.4 also offered towing capabilities, with RWD models towing up to 1,000 kilograms and AWD models up to 1,225 kilograms. Interior updates for 2023 included a conventional lid for the centre console and improved phone storage.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna featured an older infotainment system with a 9-inch touchscreen, offering standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though both required a wired connection. The system included physical buttons, which were increasingly rare in modern cars, but the interface felt outdated and clunky. Despite these drawbacks, the technology was reliable, and the 12-speaker JBL audio system provided good sound quality.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 12.0-inch touchscreen, featuring software updates for improved responsiveness. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a digital instrument cluster. The user interface included haptic touchpads, which lacked physical feedback and could be distracting, but the voice recognition system mitigated this issue. The ID.Light feature added a unique touch, providing visual cues for navigation and drive modes.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna boasted a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. It received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS, underscoring its commitment to safety.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 also earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with strong performance in crash tests. While IIHS ratings for the 2023 model weren't available, the 2022 model received a Top Safety Pick+ rating. The ID.4 included a robust set of driver-assist features, such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. New for 2023 were features like Park Assist Plus and a 360-degree camera system.