2024 Toyota Sequoia vs 2024 Toyota Sienna

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared its platform with the Tundra pickup, and this connection was evident in its design cues. It featured hexagonal grilles, wheel arches, strong fender creases, and a muscular stance. The exterior colour significantly influenced its appearance, with the Capstone model showcasing more chrome brightwork. Our tester, in Celestial Silver, appeared somewhat dated, reminiscent of a "cop car." Inside, the Sequoia closely resembled the Tundra and other contemporary Toyota vehicles, with a blocky, geometric dash layout, physical dials, and buttons for volume and climate control. The Capstone trim boasted semi-aniline leather upholstery, while other trims offered SofTex leatherette or standard leather. The seating was power-adjustable across the lineup, and every Sequoia came with a power-tilt and -slide moonroof or an upgraded panoramic version.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna, available in LE, XLE, XSE, and Limited trims, presented a distinctive look with sleek front and rear fascias. It offered a range of cool colours, including deep blue, red, and bronze. LED lighting was standard, with upper trims featuring Bi-LED projector headlamps. Our XSE tester, the "sporty" trim, had a black metallic mesh front grille, black heated side mirrors, and 20-inch dark wheels. The Sienna came standard with cloth seats, three-zone climate control, and room for eight. The XSE trim replaced the second-row bench seat with captain's chairs and included leatherette-trimmed sport seats. The interior featured horizontal design lines, a fixed centre console with satin accents, and easy-to-reach cup holders and shifter. While not luxurious, it was well-suited for family use.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia was exclusively offered in a hybrid format, utilizing Toyota's iForce MAX hybrid powertrain. This combined a twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor, producing 427 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. This marked an increase of 46 hp and 182 lb-ft over the previous model. Fuel economy improved significantly, with a rating of 11.7 L/100 km combined with 4WD, compared to 16.4 previously. In Canada, the Sequoia came with standard 4WD, featuring a part-time system with a selector for 4Hi, 4Lo, and 2WD. The 10-speed automatic transmission operated smoothly, and the on-road handling was adequate. The SR5 TRD Off-Road model offered adventure-readiness with unique tires, off-road suspension, and driver-assist features like Crawl Control and hill-descent control. The maximum towing capacity was 4,137 kilograms, with towing-related upgrades available.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna was a hybrid minivan, combining a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, producing a total of 245 horsepower. AWD models had an additional electric motor for the rear wheels. While the Sienna offered a sport-tuned suspension and a Sport mode button, it felt sluggish off the line, and the CVT didn't enhance the driving experience. Acceleration was smooth but slow, especially when merging on highways or climbing mountain passes. The CVT could be loud, but driving around town was mostly pleasant. The brakes were a bit grabby, but the steering was light and accurate. Visibility was excellent. The Sienna offered Normal, Eco, and EV modes for different driving conditions. For those seeking more driving pleasure, alternatives like the Honda Odyssey, Kia Carnival, or Chrysler Pacifica with V6 powerplants were recommended.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia Capstone featured automatic power-deploying running boards, making it easier for shorter individuals to enter the vehicle. Inside, it offered a maximum of 2,460 litres of cargo space with both second- and third-row seats folded. Behind the second row, there were 1,387 litres, and behind the third row, it ranged from 325 to 631 litres, depending on the seat position. The second-row seats didn't slide fore and aft but were easy to move for access to the back row. The third-row seats folded at the push of a button but didn't create a flat load floor due to the hybrid powertrain's battery pack. Headroom was reduced by 7.5 centimetres, and legroom varied from 713 to 855 mm in the third row. Second-row captain's chairs were available on higher trims, offering width but lacking bolstering.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior space, with a lower storage pass-through for bulkier items and multiple cupholders. The second-row captain's chairs could slide fore and aft 63.5 centimetres, providing up to 101.5 centimetres of legroom. However, the slide function was complicated, and the seats couldn't be removed, limiting cargo space. The third row was accessible for adults and offered 99 centimetres of legroom when the second row was pushed forward. The third-row seats tilted for comfort, and window shades and cup holders were abundant. The Sienna featured tri-zone climate control, with an additional zone for the front passenger in the XSE trim. The rear liftgate could be activated with a kick motion, revealing 949 litres of cargo space, expandable to 2,860 litres with the second row folded.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia Capstone was equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, accessible through an 8-inch touchscreen on the SR5 trim and a 14-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system prioritized functionality over flashiness. The driver information display was a full-colour 12.3-inch screen, and the Panoramic View monitor was standard on Platinum and Capstone trims. A 10-inch colour head-up display was standard on Capstone, and the 14-speaker JBL Premium Audio system was available on Limited and standard on Platinum and Capstone.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna featured Toyota's older infotainment technology, with a nine-inch touchscreen and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system included physical buttons for common menus. The backup camera had a grainy view, and the gauges were analog with a 7-inch digital display. Available features included SiriusXM satellite radio, a 12-speaker JBL stereo system, and a rear-camera mirror. USB ports were scattered throughout the cabin, and a 1500-watt inverter with a 120-volt outlet was available. The outlets required activation via a button near the driver's seat.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia came with the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.5 suite of safety and driver-assistance features as standard. This included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert with steering assist, adaptive cruise control, and road-sign recognition. Front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. The only optional driver aid was a trailer backup guide with Straight-Path Assist, available on Platinum and Capstone trims. The Sequoia had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the similar 2024 Toyota Tundra earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna featured the Toyota Safety Sense suite of driver's aids as standard, including lane departure alert, automatic emergency braking, road sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. The adaptive cruise control worked well, but lane-keeping assist showed some side-to-side movement. The Sienna had side curtain airbags for all three rows and reminders for rear passengers and cargo. The NHTSA rated the Sienna with four out of five stars for frontal crash and rollover protection and five out of five stars for side crash protection. The IIHS gave it a "Good" rating for crashworthiness and seat belt systems, but an "Average" rating for front crash prevention.