2024 Kia Sorento vs 2023 Toyota Sienna

The 2023 Toyota Sienna aimed to redefine the minivan aesthetic, shedding its traditional image with a design reminiscent of a Japanese bullet train. Toyota offered a variety of trims, including the base LE, XLE, sporty XSE, and the luxurious Limited, with a special 25th Anniversary Edition also available. The Sienna's interior was praised for its high-quality materials, such as the brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents in the Platinum trim. It provided seating for seven or eight passengers, with the eight-seater option supporting three-across car seats in the middle row. The Sienna's design focused on practicality, with features like power-sliding doors and a power liftgate, making it a smart choice for families.

The 2024 Kia Sorento received its first major visual update since 2021, aligning its design more closely with Kia's other SUVs like the Telluride. The Sorento featured a bold new front end, updated taillights, and a more upscale cockpit. The trims included LX, EX, X-Line, X-Line Limited, and the new X-Pro, each offering unique styling elements. Inside, the Sorento boasted a redesigned dashboard with a single-pane display for the gauge cluster and infotainment system. The cabin materials were upgraded, with faux open-pore wood grain and quality stitching on the leather-wrapped steering wheel and seats. The Sorento's interior was described as solidly assembled and more upscale than some competitors.

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 was considered less impressive compared to competitors. The Sienna's CVT was noted for its less-than-ideal sound and lackluster acceleration. However, the Sienna excelled in handling, with a nimble chassis and light steering, making it easy to drive in urban settings. The Sienna offered various drive modes, but the Normal mode was recommended for the best balance of performance and efficiency.

The 2024 Kia Sorento retained its mechanical components, with the base engine being a 2.5-litre four-cylinder producing 191 horsepower. This engine was deemed underpowered for the Sorento's size. Higher trims featured a turbocharged 2.5-litre engine with 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with a dual-clutch eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged models offered lively performance and ample passing power. All Sorentos in Canada came with AWD, and the X-Line and X-Pro trims provided increased ground clearance. The Sorento's handling was confident, with well-weighted steering and effective brakes. The X-Pro trim excelled in off-road conditions, offering a smoother ride and improved towing capacity.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna was a master of interior storage, with numerous cubbies, shelves, and bins. It featured a spacious open cubby below the centre console and a long shelf across the dashboard. The Sienna offered ample cargo space, with 949 litres behind the third row and up to 2,860 litres with all seats folded. However, the middle row could not be removed or folded into the floor, limiting maximum cargo capacity compared to competitors. The second-row captain's chairs were highly functional, with extending ottomans and sliding capabilities for added comfort. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard, with ventilated front seats available on higher trims.

The 2024 Kia Sorento's cabin was described as upscale and modern, with comfortable seating in the first two rows. The third row was tighter, offering 752 mm of legroom, but it was suitable for occasional use by children. The Sorento provided 1,052 mm of legroom in the front and 1,060 mm in the second row, surpassing many two-row SUVs. The optional captain's chairs in the second row allowed for easy access to the third row. Cargo space was limited with the third row in use, offering 357 litres, but expanded to 2,139 litres with all seats folded. The Sorento's controls were ergonomic, and it offered ample small-item storage.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna featured an older infotainment system with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Bluetooth connectivity. The system included physical buttons, which were appreciated for their ease of use. However, the interface felt outdated and required a wired connection for smartphone integration. The 9-inch touchscreen was adequate, and the 12-speaker JBL audio system provided good sound quality.

The 2024 Kia Sorento introduced a new infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen on all trims. The system, called "Connected Car Navigation Cockpit" (CCnC), prioritized popular features on the home screen and offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sorento's system could receive over-the-air updates, ensuring long-term usability. The top trims featured a Bose 12-speaker audio system, and the X-Line Limited and X-Pro offered Digital Key 2.0 for keyless access and driving.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna came standard with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. It received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. While competitors offered similar safety features, the Sienna lacked some of the more innovative options found in other family vehicles.

The 2024 Kia Sorento boasted an extensive array of standard and optional safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The Sorento's systems were enhanced with additional sensors and machine-learning capabilities. Optional features included surround-view cameras and a rear-view camera mirror. The Sorento received "Good" ratings in several IIHS tests, but its LATCH system was rated "Acceptable." The NHTSA had not yet evaluated the 2024 model.