2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2024 Toyota Sienna

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan, following its 2022 updates, remained largely unchanged. In Canada, it was available in Trendline, Comfortline, Comfortline R-Line Black, and Highline R-Line trims, with prices ranging from $36,675 to $47,175, plus a $2,050 destination charge. The R-Line trims featured sportier styling. Despite offering six exterior colours, four interior colours, and various wheel designs, choices were limited by trim level. Our U.S. specification test vehicle, similar to the Canadian Highline R-Line, featured Atlantic Blue paint and Storm Grey leather seats, a combination unavailable in Canada unless opting for the Highline R-Line. Standard features included keyless entry, remote start, and an 8-way power driver’s seat. The Highline R-Line stood out for its sporty appearance and 20-inch wheels, with adaptive front lighting and a light bar across the grille.

Inside, the Tiguan offered an upscale cabin with quality leather upholstery, artificial wood trim, and soft-touch materials. The digital instrumentation, panoramic sunroof, and robust construction added to its appeal. However, some materials reminded users of its mid-$30,000s base price. The design was conservatively drawn but aging gracefully, making the Tiguan look more expensive than it was.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna, available in LE, XLE, XSE, and Limited trims in Canada, boasted a distinctive look with sleek front and rear fascias. It came in vibrant colours like deep blue, red, or bronze. LED lighting was standard, with upper trims featuring Bi-LED projector headlamps. Our XSE tester, the sporty trim, had a black metallic mesh grille, black heated side mirrors, and 20-inch dark wheels. The Sienna offered cloth seats, three-zone climate control, and room for eight, with the XSE trim replacing the second-row bench with captain’s chairs and leatherette-trimmed sport seats. The heated, leather-trimmed power steering wheel included Advanced Driver Assistance System controls.

The Sienna’s interior featured horizontal design lines for a spacious feel, with a fixed centre console trimmed in satin accents. While not luxurious, it was practical for families. The cup holders and shifter were easily accessible, and the cabin was designed to withstand the rigours of family life.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. In Canada, the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system was standard, offering various driving modes like Eco, Normal, and Sport. The AWD system could send up to 50% of power to the rear wheels. Fuel economy was rated at 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres, though our testing loop yielded 10.4 L/100 km. The Tiguan’s powertrain was adequate but lacked punch at higher revs, with some turbo lag and delayed downshifts. Despite these quirks, the Tiguan offered rewarding dynamics, with excellent tire grip and stability. The ride was compliant, and the steering was light and lively, though the brake pedal required more effort than expected.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna, a hybrid minivan, combined a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, producing 245 horsepower. AWD models had an additional electric motor for the rear wheels. Despite a sport-tuned suspension and Sport mode, the Sienna felt sluggish, with the CVT contributing to a lack of excitement. Acceleration was smooth but slow, especially on highways. Around town, the Sienna was pleasant, with light and accurate steering and excellent visibility. The brakes were a bit grabby, but the minivan offered a mostly comfortable driving experience.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a roomy interior, with some configurations featuring a third-row seat. However, this reduced cargo space, so opting for a two-row model provided one of the largest cargo areas in the compact SUV class. The front seats were comfortable, with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. Storage was generous, though the centre armrest bin was small. The dashboard had questionable ergonomics, with touch-sensing controls that were difficult to use. Passenger and cargo space were highlights, with large rear door openings and ample legroom. The hands-free power liftgate revealed a cavernous cargo area, with adjustable load floor height and handy features for convenience.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior space, though some seating features were tricky. The front offered a lower storage pass-through and multiple cupholders. The second-row captain’s chairs could slide fore and aft, providing ample legroom, though the slide function was complicated. The third row was accessible, with generous legroom when the second row was adjusted. The Sienna featured tri-zone climate control, with an additional zone for the front passenger in the XSE trim. The rear liftgate revealed 949 litres of cargo space, expanding to 2,860 litres with seats folded.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured digital instrumentation, with R-Line trims offering a larger 10.25-inch display. The infotainment system had a touchscreen display, with lower trims using a 6.5-inch screen and others an 8-inch screen. The system included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a nine-speaker Fender premium sound system. However, the interface was complex, with multi-layer processes for simple tasks. The voice-recognition system underperformed, lacking a data connection for enhanced features.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna used older infotainment technology, with a nine-inch touchscreen and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The backup camera was grainy, and the gauges were analog, with a 7-inch digital display in the cluster. The Sienna offered SiriusXM satellite radio and a 12-speaker JBL stereo system. USB ports were plentiful, and a 1500-watt inverter with a 120-volt outlet was available. However, the outlets required activation via a button near the driver’s seat.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in safety features, with standard Front Assist and Side Assist. The IQ.Drive package added adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Tiguan’s safety technology was effective and unobtrusive. However, crash-test ratings were incomplete, with concerns about the driver’s door unlatching during a side-impact test.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna included the Toyota Safety Sense suite, with lane departure alert, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna had numerous airbags and reminders for seat belts and rear passengers. The NHTSA rated it four out of five stars for frontal crash and rollover protection, and five stars for side crash protection. The IIHS gave it top scores in crashworthiness, though front crash prevention was rated as “Average.”