2024 Kia EV9 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's efforts to modernize the Sienna were evident in its front-end styling and the availability of larger wheels on certain trims. The Sienna offered a variety of trim levels, from the base LE to the luxurious Limited, with a special 25th Anniversary Special Edition trim introduced in 2023. Inside, the Sienna impressed with its high-quality materials, such as the brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents in the Platinum trim. The minivan provided seating for seven or eight passengers, with the latter configuration allowing for three-across car seats in the middle row, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2024 Kia EV9, on the other hand, presented a bold new direction for Kia's electric vehicles, while maintaining a distinctly Kia SUV design. Its exterior featured a blockier, digital clock-inspired look, with unique lighting signatures like the "Star Map" daytime running lights and the "Digital Tiger Face" grille. The EV9's top Land trim offered additional lighting options with the Digital Pattern Lighting Grille. The EV9's design was not just about aesthetics; it also incorporated functional elements like the octagonal wheel arches and sharply angled rear windows. The EV9's lighting and design elements set it apart as a forward-thinking electric SUV.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna was equipped with a hybrid powertrain, featuring a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with two front-mounted electric motors, and an additional rear-mounted motor for AWD trims. This setup delivered a combined 245 horsepower, which, while adequate, fell short of some competitors. The Sienna's CVT was not the most refined, often struggling to deliver smooth acceleration. However, the Sienna's chassis and steering were commendable, offering nimble handling and a surprisingly fun driving experience for a minivan. The Sienna's light steering made city driving easy, and its drive modes, including EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport, provided some flexibility, though Normal mode was recommended for the best balance.

The 2024 Kia EV9 offered a range of powertrain options, starting with the Light trim's single motor RWD setup, producing 215 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, with an electric range of 370 kilometres. The Wind model, with a larger 99.8-kWh battery, offered a slightly reduced 201 horsepower but extended the range to 489 kilometres. The top Land trim featured AWD with dual motors, delivering 379 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a range of up to 451 kilometres. The EV9's power delivery was smooth and refined, with good handling and minimal body roll. Its regenerative braking system was adjustable, offering a natural feel comparable to gas-powered vehicles. The EV9 also boasted fast charging capabilities, promising a quick charge from 10 to 80 percent in just 25 minutes.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior storage solutions, with ample cubbies, nooks, and bins. It featured a spacious open cubby below the centre console, a long dash shelf, and a large centre console bin. The Sienna's three-zone climate control was standard, with four-zone available on higher trims. Measuring 5,175 millimetres in length, the Sienna offered generous cargo space, with 949 litres behind the third row and up to 2,860 litres with seats folded. However, the middle row could not be removed or folded into the floor, limiting maximum cargo space compared to some competitors. The second-row captain's chairs were functional and comfortable, with extending ottomans and sliding tracks for added legroom.

The 2024 Kia EV9 stood out with its spacious third row, offering 1,004 millimetres of headroom, surpassing competitors like the Kia Telluride and BMW X7. The EV9 could seat up to seven passengers, with second-row captain's chairs available on higher trims. Cargo space was competitive, with 572 litres behind the third row, expandable to 2,313 litres with seats folded. The EV9's high and flat load floor made loading and unloading easier. Up front, the EV9 featured a "floating" centre console with limited flat surfaces but included a wireless charging pad and a large open compartment for storage. Second-row passengers in GT-Line trims enjoyed additional storage with a drawer and tray table.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna's technology was reliable but dated, featuring an older infotainment interface with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though both required a wired connection. The Sienna included a 9-inch touchscreen, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and an optional navigation system. Physical buttons were a practical feature, though the interface felt clunky and lacked dedicated access to Android Auto. The 12-speaker JBL premium audio system was available on higher trims, providing good sound quality.

The 2024 Kia EV9 took technology to the next level with a three-screen curved display, including a 12.3-inch driver information display, a 5-inch Climate Display, and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a wireless charging pad. Higher trims featured a 14-speaker Meridian Premium Audio system and a head-up display. The EV9's connectedness was a highlight, with over-the-air updates and the Kia Connect store offering additional features and upgrades. This future-proofing approach allowed owners to customize their vehicles over time, enhancing the EV9's appeal.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna impressed with its standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with steering assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. These features were part of the Toyota Safety Sense package, contributing to the Sienna's 5-star NHTSA rating and Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. While competitors like Honda and Chrysler offered similar safety ratings, Toyota's focus on essential safety features made the Sienna a reliable choice for families.

The 2024 Kia EV9 offered a comprehensive suite of standard ADAS, including adaptive cruise control with navigation-based machine learning, blind-spot collision avoidance, and forward collision avoidance. The Blind-spot View Monitor and reverse parking collision avoidance assist were available on higher trims. While the EV9 had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, it received the highest rating from Euro NCAP. Kia's focus on safety features ensured the EV9 was well-equipped to protect its occupants.