2024 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Toyota Sienna

The 2023 Toyota Sienna was a minivan that defied traditional expectations. While minivans often struggled with their image, the Sienna aimed to change perceptions with its sleek design, reminiscent of a Japanese bullet train. The Sienna offered a variety of trims, including the base LE, XLE, sporty XSE, Limited, and top-tier Platinum, with a special 25th Anniversary Edition also available. The interior was a highlight, especially in the Platinum trim, featuring high-quality brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents. With seating for seven or eight passengers, the Sienna provided flexibility, although the eight-passenger configuration was limited to the LE and XLE trims. The middle row could accommodate three car seats, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared its platform with the Tundra pickup, boasting a robust design with hexagonal grilles and muscular stances. The exterior color significantly influenced its appearance, with options like Celestial Silver and Solar Octane orange. Inside, the Sequoia mirrored the Tundra's blocky, geometric layout, featuring physical dials and buttons for climate control. The Capstone trim offered semi-aniline leather upholstery, while other trims had fabric or SofTex options. The Sequoia's seating was highly adjustable, with power-adjustable front seats across the lineup. A power-tilt and -slide moonroof was standard, enhancing the interior's appeal.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna was powered by a hybrid system, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with electric motors, delivering a combined 245 horsepower. While this power output was modest compared to competitors, the Sienna's chassis and steering impressed with nimble handling. The Sienna offered various drive modes, but the Normal mode was recommended for the best balance. The Sienna's light steering made city driving a breeze, and its turning radius was notably tight for a minivan. However, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) and lackluster acceleration left some drivers wanting more.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia, on the other hand, featured the iForce MAX hybrid powertrain, combining a twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor, producing 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. This marked a significant improvement over its predecessor, with better fuel economy at 20 mpg combined for 4WD models. The Sequoia's 10-speed automatic transmission operated smoothly, and its on-road handling was adequate for its class. The TRD Pro trim offered off-road capabilities with features like all-terrain tires and an electronic locking rear differential. The Sequoia's towing capacity increased to 9,520 pounds, making it a strong contender for those needing to tow heavy loads.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior storage, with clever solutions like a large cubby below the center console and a long shelf on the dash. It offered ample cargo space, with 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 101 cubic feet with seats folded. However, the middle row couldn't be removed or folded into the floor, limiting maximum cargo space compared to competitors. The second-row captain's chairs were functional, with extending ottomans and sliding capabilities for added comfort.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia provided 86.9 cubic feet of cargo space with seats folded, but the third-row seats didn't create a flat load floor due to the hybrid powertrain's battery pack. This affected headroom and legroom, with the third row offering 28.1 to 33.7 inches of legroom. The second-row captain's chairs were available in higher trims, but they lacked bolstering for added support. The Sequoia's automatic power-deploying running boards were a convenient feature, though they required some adjustment to avoid shin bumps.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna featured an older infotainment interface with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though both required a wired connection. The 9-inch touchscreen was functional, and the 12-speaker JBL audio system delivered good sound quality. However, the interface felt outdated and had some quirks, such as the lack of a dedicated button for Android Auto.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia offered a more advanced infotainment system, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The SR5 trim had an 8-inch touchscreen, while other trims boasted a 14-inch screen. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system prioritized functionality, and the driver-information display was a full-color 12.3-inch unit. The Sequoia also included a Panoramic View monitor and a 10-inch color head-up display in higher trims, enhancing convenience and safety.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna impressed with its standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. It received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and was expected to earn a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. While competitors offered additional features like intercom systems and rear-seat cameras, the Sienna focused on essential safety technologies.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia came with the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.5 suite, offering features like a pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, and adaptive cruise control. It also included front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring with Trailer Merge Warning. The Tow Technology Package added a digital rearview mirror and trailer backup guide. While the Sequoia hadn't been rated by safety organizations, the similar Tundra earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation.