2023 Toyota Sienna vs 2024 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. Despite the stigma surrounding minivans, the Sienna offered a compelling package with its spacious interior, easy access, and innovative features. The model came in various trims, including the base LE, XLE, sporty XSE, luxurious Limited, and top-tier Platinum, with the 25th Anniversary Special Edition adding a unique touch. The XLE trim was particularly appealing to value-conscious buyers, offering standard LED fog lights, power-sliding doors, and a power liftgate. Inside, the Sienna impressed with 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 latter configuration allowing for three-across car seats in the middle row.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna continued to offer a distinctive look with trims like LE, XLE, XSE, Woodland Edition, Limited, and Platinum. The model maintained its stylish appeal with sleek front and rear fascias and vibrant color options. The XSE trim stood out with its sporty features, including a black metallic mesh front grille and 20-inch dark wheels. The Woodland Edition catered to those seeking a bit more off-road capability, featuring roof rails, a tow hitch, and increased ground clearance. The interior boasted a horizontal design that enhanced the sense of space, with a fixed center console and satin accents. While not luxurious, the interior was practical for families, with features like a built-in vacuum cleaner in upper trims. The Sienna offered seating for eight, with the XSE trim providing captain’s chairs and leather-trimmed heated and cooled front seats.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two front-mounted electric motors, delivering a total of 245 horsepower. All-wheel-drive models included a third electric motor for the rear wheels. While the power output seemed modest compared to competitors, the Sienna's chassis and steering offered a surprisingly nimble and enjoyable driving experience. The light steering was particularly advantageous for city driving, and the minivan's turning radius was commendable. The Sienna offered various drive modes, including EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport, though Normal mode was recommended for the best balance of performance and efficiency.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna retained the same hybrid setup, producing 245 horsepower. Despite the sport-tuned suspension and Sport mode, the minivan's performance remained underwhelming, with sluggish acceleration and a noisy CVT. However, the Sienna excelled in urban environments, offering smooth driving in Normal or Eco mode. The brakes were occasionally grabby, but the steering was light and precise, and visibility was excellent. While the Sienna's performance was adequate for daily driving, those seeking more power might consider alternatives like the Honda Odyssey or Kia Carnival.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior storage, with numerous cubbies, shelves, and bins. The open cubby below the center console accommodated larger items, while a long shelf across the dash provided space for smaller items. The Sienna offered ample cargo space, with 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 101 cubic feet with the seats folded. However, the middle row seats were not removable, limiting maximum cargo capacity compared to competitors. The second-row captain’s chairs were highly functional, with extending ottomans and adjustable positioning for optimal comfort.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna continued to offer practical storage solutions, including a lower storage pass-through and multiple cupholders. The second-row captain’s chairs provided up to 40 inches of legroom and featured an ottoman for added comfort. However, the slide function was complex, and the seats were not removable, reducing cargo space. The third row was accessible for adults and offered 39 inches of legroom when the second row was moved forward. The Sienna included tri-zone climate control, with an additional zone for the front passenger in the XSE trim. The rear liftgate revealed 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 101 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna featured an older infotainment system with a 9-inch touchscreen, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and physical buttons for core functions. While the interface was reliable, it felt outdated and clunky, with some quirks in accessing Android Auto. The Sienna included a 12-speaker JBL audio system, which delivered good sound quality.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna retained the same infotainment setup, with a 9-inch touchscreen and wired smartphone integration. The backup camera's grainy display was a drawback, but the system included a Wi-Fi hotspot, SiriusXM radio, and an optional JBL stereo. The Sienna offered USB ports throughout the cabin and a 1500-watt inverter with a 120-volt outlet. Optional features included a rear-seat entertainment system and a head-up display.

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 a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. While competitors offered additional features like intercom systems and rear-seat cameras, the Sienna's safety suite was comprehensive.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna continued to offer the Toyota Safety Sense suite, with features like lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and road sign recognition. The minivan included numerous airbags and reminders for rear passengers. It received a 4-star rating for frontal crash and rollover protection and a 5-star rating for side crash protection from the NHTSA. The IIHS rated it "Good" in crashworthiness but "Average" in front crash prevention.