2023 Toyota Sienna vs 2024 Lexus TX

The 2023 Toyota Sienna was a minivan that defied traditional expectations with its sleek design and practical features. Toyota worked hard to shed the typical minivan image, giving the Sienna a front-end styling reminiscent of a Japanese bullet train. The Sienna offered a variety of trim levels, including the base LE, XLE, sporty XSE, and the luxurious Limited. The 25th Anniversary Special Edition trim added a touch of exclusivity. Inside, the Sienna impressed with its high-quality materials, such as the brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents in the Platinum trim. It accommodated seven or eight passengers, with the eight-seater option allowing for three-across car seats in the middle row.

The 2024 Lexus TX, based on the Toyota Grand Highlander, presented itself as a luxury SUV with a distinct identity. It featured upscale styling, with 22-inch wheels enhancing its appearance. The TX's design was more conservative compared to other Lexus models, appealing to those who preferred a subtler look. The TX came in various model series, including the TX 350, TX 500h F Sport Performance, and TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid. The TX 350, likely the most popular version, offered a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and standard all-wheel drive. Inside, the TX boasted premium materials, such as semi-aniline leather upholstery, and a range of comfort features, including heated and ventilated seats. The third-row seat was notably spacious, accommodating adults comfortably.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna was equipped with a hybrid powertrain, featuring a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with electric motors. This setup delivered a combined 245 horsepower, which was somewhat underwhelming for a vehicle of its size. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) contributed to a less-than-ideal driving experience, with the engine revving noticeably. Despite this, the Sienna's chassis and steering were commendable, offering nimble handling and a surprisingly fun driving experience for a minivan. The Sienna featured multiple drive modes, but the Normal mode was recommended for the best balance of performance and efficiency.

The 2024 Lexus TX 350 was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided adequate performance, with a 0-100 km/h time of around eight seconds. The TX 350's fuel economy was rated at 10.3 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, though real-world testing showed higher consumption. The TX 350's suspension struck a balance between firmness and comfort, offering a smooth ride and precise steering. However, the brake pedal in the test vehicle felt too soft, though it was easy to modulate for smooth stops.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior space and storage solutions. It featured numerous cubbies, shelves, and bins, including a large open cubby below the centre console and a long shelf on the dashboard. 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 ample cargo space, with 949 litres behind the third row and up to 2,860 litres with seats folded. The second-row captain's chairs were functional and comfortable, with extending ottomans for added support. The Sienna's third-row seats provided genuine legroom for adults.

The 2024 Lexus TX addressed previous shortcomings in Lexus's three-row SUVs. It offered a comfortable and spacious interior, with premium materials like semi-aniline leather and artificial suede upholstery. The TX's second-row seats were available as a bench or captain's chairs, with heated and ventilated options. The third-row seat was notably accommodating for adults, with a stadium-style bottom cushion providing leg support. The TX offered 572 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,746 litres with seats folded. However, the second-row legroom was limited, affecting comfort when accommodating third-row passengers.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna featured an older infotainment interface, lacking some of the advanced technology found in other Toyota models. It included core features like SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The interface relied on physical buttons, which some users appreciated for ease of use. However, the system felt outdated and required wired connections for smartphone integration. The 9-inch touchscreen was adequate, and the 12-speaker JBL premium audio system provided good sound quality.

The 2024 Lexus TX offered a more advanced technology suite, with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14-inch touchscreen display. The Lexus Interface infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a cloud-based navigation system and a digital assistant with natural voice recognition. The TX also featured a head-up display, though its controls were criticized for being distracting. The optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system delivered impressive sound quality, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna came equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) as part of the Toyota Safety Sense package. These included 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. The Sienna received a 5-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2024 Lexus TX was equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 (LSS+ 3.0), which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and more. Proactive Drive Assist was also part of LSS+ 3.0, providing braking and steering assistance. The TX featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a safe exit assist system. Optional safety features included front and rear parking sensors, front cross-traffic alert, and traffic jam assist. The LSS+ 3.0 system was generally smooth and effective, though it could be overly cautious in certain situations.