2025 Toyota Sienna vs 2024 Land Rover Defender

The 2024 Land Rover Defender presented a unique blend of classic and modern design elements. Its boxy profile was reminiscent of traditional Land Rover models, yet it incorporated contemporary features like angular headlights that aligned it with the brand's modern lineup. Inside, the Defender diverged from its siblings, offering a more rugged and adventure-ready cabin, akin to a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco, but with superior soft-touch materials. The Defender was available in three body styles: the two-door 90, the four-door 110, and the extended-wheelbase four-door 130, each with various trims. Our test drive of the Defender 110 S, the most popular configuration, revealed a vehicle equipped with numerous standard features, including 19-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, and a panoramic glass roof. The interior was both luxurious and practical, with options for premium Windsor leather upholstery and additional climate control features.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Sienna maintained the quintessential minivan silhouette, albeit with some stylistic updates. Its trapezoidal grille and upswept body lines attempted to add flair, but the Sienna remained unmistakably a minivan. The rear design echoed the front's cinched look, and the narrow taillights drew a visual connection to the Camry sedan. The Platinum package introduced new wheel designs and a fresh Magnetic Grey paint colour. Our test vehicle, the top-tier Sienna Limited with the Platinum package, showcased an updated interior with a new woodgrain finish, though opinions on its aesthetics varied. The Sienna prioritized practicality, offering seating for up to eight and a spacious interior, though its minivan form factor limited its style compared to SUV alternatives like the Toyota Grand Highlander.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the P300, delivering 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Our P400 test model featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six, producing 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. For those seeking more power, two supercharged 5.0-litre V8 options were available: the P500 with 493 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque, and the P525 with 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time active four-wheel drive. The Defender excelled in towing, with the six-cylinder and eight-cylinder models capable of towing up to 3,500 kilograms, while the four-cylinder could tow up to 2,500 kilograms. The most powerful V8 propelled the SUV from zero to 96 km/h in just 5.1 seconds. Off-road capabilities were impressive, particularly in models like the Defender X, which featured adaptive air suspension and the Terrain Response 2 system.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, was equipped with a single hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The front-wheel-drive model came standard, with an optional all-wheel-drive system featuring an additional rear-mounted electric motor. The hybrid system produced a net horsepower of 245, which was modest for a vehicle seating up to eight and towing up to 1,587 kilograms. Despite this, the electric assist motor provided immediate torque, preventing the Sienna from feeling sluggish. The hybrid powertrain prioritized fuel efficiency, with an official rating of 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. However, our test model averaged 8.9 L/100 km. The Sienna's handling was predictable and secure, though not particularly engaging, and the CVT's droning was noticeable during hard acceleration.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender struck a balance between luxury and functionality, featuring soft-touch materials alongside practical elements like grip handles and rubberized floors. Seating capacity varied from five to eight passengers, depending on the configuration. The Defender 110 offered an optional third row, best suited for children, while the Defender 130 provided three seats in the third row, increasing seating capacity to eight. Cargo capacity varied by model, with the Defender 130 offering up to 2,155 litres with all rear seats folded. The Defender 110 provided 962 litres behind the second row in the two-row version and 1,953 litres with both rows folded in the three-row configuration. The two-door Defender 90 offered 441 litres behind the second row and up to 1,650 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna prioritized form and function, offering unique seating and cargo solutions. The front seats were power-adjustable and heated, with ventilated leather in the Limited with Platinum package. The second-row captain's chairs featured long-slide and reclining capabilities, while the third row accommodated adults comfortably. Cargo space was generous, with 949 litres behind the third row and 2,129 litres with the third row stowed. Maximum cargo capacity was 2,860 litres, less than rivals due to the inability to remove the second-row seats. The Sienna's design facilitated easy loading and unloading, even in tight spaces, and included a hands-free power liftgate on all but the LE model.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen. While smaller than some competitors, the touchscreen was simple and aligned with the Defender's utilitarian nature. It included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD radio, and a 10-speaker Meridian stereo system. The straightforward setup and home buttons made the system user-friendly.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Sienna featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the Toyota Audio Multimedia (TAM) system in higher-spec models. Our Limited with Platinum package test vehicle included a four-zone automatic climate control system, a 10-inch head-up display, and a camera-based digital rearview mirror. The TAM system offered access to four connected services plans, with varying subscription periods. The digital assistant, part of the Drive Connect plan, responded accurately to commands. The Sienna Limited also featured a 12-speaker JBL premium audio system, though sound quality was muddied by excessive bass. The four-zone climate control system and digital rearview camera added convenience.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender boasted an extensive list of standard driver assistance features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional safety tech included traffic sign recognition, automatic high beams, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a 360-degree parking camera system. However, the lane-departure and lane-keeping assist systems were overly sensitive. As of this writing, the Defender had not been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA.

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, lane-centring assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna also had automatic high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The lane-centring assist performed well, though the adaptive cruise control required vigilance in urban areas. New for 2025, the Sienna included a rear-seat reminder system. The NHTSA awarded the Sienna a five-star overall rating, though it received lower scores in frontal crash tests.