2024 Genesis GV70 vs 2025 Toyota Sienna

The 2024 Genesis GV70 distinguished itself within the Genesis lineup and its competitive set with its sleek design and luxury-car style. It featured signature Genesis styling elements like split headlights and a large shield-like grille, but it was sleeker than the larger GV80 and avoided the quirkiness of the smaller GV60. Notable details included a hatchback-like rear window profile, large round exhaust outlets on the Sport trim, and distinctive 21-inch wheels. The GV70 struck a balance between SUV size and luxury, offering a more refined look compared to competitors like the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Porsche Macan. The Electrified GV70 maintained the same styling as the gasoline models, with a shiny grille housing the charge port, making it convenient for charging. Inside, the GV70 boasted a distinctive interior with quilted Nappa leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and unique design elements like an elliptical pod for climate controls and a rotary infotainment controller.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna, while attempting to break away from the traditional minivan design, still retained its boxy shape to maximize interior space. Its trapezoidal grille and upswept body lines gave it a distinctive look, but it couldn't entirely escape the minivan aesthetic. The Sienna's Platinum package introduced new flower-petal wheel designs, but it remained unmistakably a minivan. Despite its practicality, the Sienna's interior received mixed reviews. The Platinum package added a woodgrain finish, but opinions on its appearance varied. The Sienna's interior was functional, with power-adjustable and heated front seats, but the cushions felt hard during long drives. The second-row captain's chairs with ottoman-style leg rests were popular with passengers, and the third-row seat accommodated adults comfortably. The Sienna offered generous storage space, but its maximum cargo capacity was less than its minivan rivals due to the lack of removable second-row seats.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered a range of powertrain options, including a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 with 375 hp and 391 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The Electrified GV70 featured front and rear electric motors delivering a combined 429 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a "Boost Mode" providing 483 hp for short bursts. While the GV70 delivered strong straight-line acceleration, its chassis tuning didn't match the sportiness of rivals like the Acura RDX or BMW X3. The GV70's suspension was reasonably comfortable but tended to crash over bumps. The Electrified model maintained similar handling characteristics despite its additional weight. It also offered adjustable regenerative braking for a customizable driving experience.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). It produced a net horsepower of 245, which was adequate for city driving and highway cruising. The Sienna's hybrid system prioritized fuel economy, with a Natural Resources Canada rating of 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving for the front-wheel-drive model. However, during testing, it averaged 8.9 L/100 km. The Sienna's handling was predictable but not particularly engaging, with a smooth and absorbent ride. The CVT occasionally emitted a droning sound during hard acceleration. The Sienna XSE offered a sport-tuned suspension for a slightly more dynamic driving experience, but overall, the Sienna prioritized comfort over sportiness.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 provided competitive interior space compared to its rivals. It had slightly less headroom than the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC, but it offered more front-seat legroom than the BMW and Mercedes. The GV70's cargo space measured 818 litres with the rear seats in place, surpassing the Mercedes but slightly trailing the Audi. Folding the rear seats expanded the cargo capacity to 1,611 litres. The Electrified GV70 maintained similar interior dimensions, with minor reductions in headroom and legroom. The GV70's stylish interior design came at the expense of small-item storage, but it included features like automatic side bolsters for the front seats in Sport mode.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna excelled in form and function, offering practical seating and cargo solutions. The front seats were power-adjustable and heated, but the cushions felt firm during extended drives. The Platinum package added ventilated leather seats and a refrigerated compartment. The second-row captain's chairs with ottoman-style leg rests were popular with passengers, and the third-row seat accommodated adults comfortably. The Sienna's cargo space measured 949 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,129 litres with the third row stowed. However, its maximum cargo capacity of 2,860 litres was less than its minivan rivals due to the lack of removable second-row seats.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 featured a user-friendly infotainment system with a 14.5-inch touchscreen and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Higher trim levels offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 3D effect and a 12-inch head-up display. The system was intuitive, with large tiles for each function and a rotary controller for easy navigation. The GV70 also included a fingerprint scanner for driver profiles, although digital key functionality was not yet available.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna offered advanced technology features, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the Toyota Audio Multimedia (TAM) system. The Limited trim included a four-zone automatic climate control system, a 10-inch head-up display, and a camera-based digital rearview mirror. The TAM system provided access to connected services plans, with a digital assistant for voice commands. The Sienna's infotainment system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the Limited trim featured a 12-speaker JBL premium audio system. The four-zone climate control system and digital rearview camera added convenience for passengers.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 received the IIHS's highest Top Safety Pick+ award for both gasoline and Electrified models. The NHTSA awarded the gasoline GV70 a five-star overall safety rating, with four-star frontal and rollover crash-test ratings. The GV70 came equipped with standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and Highway Driving Assist. The more advanced Highway Driving Assist 2 system added automated lane-change capability and blind-spot monitoring. Genesis also offered high-tech safety features like safe exit assist and a radar-based rear occupant alert system.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.0, which included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna's TSS 2.0 provided a more straightforward driving experience compared to TSS 3.0. The Sienna also included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The new rear-seat reminder technology detected movement within the cabin and issued alerts to the owner's smartphone. The NHTSA awarded the Sienna a five-star overall rating, but it received a lower score for frontal crash protection.