2024 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2024 Toyota Sienna

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a sophisticated exterior, often perceived as more premium than its non-European counterparts. Its design featured standard LED headlights and taillights, with an illuminated grille light line on the Highline R-Line trim. The model name was stylishly centred on the rear, complemented by the classic Volkswagen badge. Colour options were limited on the base Trendline, but higher trims offered more vibrant choices and varied interior colourways. The interior ranged from cloth seating in the base model to real leather and advanced features like front-seat ventilation and a heated steering wheel in the Highline R-Line.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna stood out with its distinctive design, available in trims like LE, XLE, XSE, and Limited. It featured sleek front and rear fascias and came in striking colours such as deep blue and bronze. Standard LED lighting was enhanced in upper trims with Bi-LED projector headlamps. The XSE trim, tested for its sporty appeal, included a black metallic mesh grille and 20-inch dark wheels. Inside, the Sienna offered a spacious feel with horizontal design lines, a fixed centre console, and practical storage solutions. While not luxurious, it was well-suited for family use, with features like a heated, leather-trimmed steering wheel and three-zone climate control.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. In Canada, it featured standard 4Motion all-wheel drive. Fuel economy was rated at 10.6 L/100 km city, 8.0 highway, and 9.4 combined for non R-Line trims, with slight increases for R-Line versions. Driving the Tiguan Highline R-Line revealed inconsistent power delivery and a touchy gas pedal. The steering was light but somewhat rubbery, though visibility and handling were commendable. Road noise was minimal, and the ride was comfortable, despite firm seating surfaces.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna, a hybrid minivan, combined a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, producing a total of 245 horsepower. All-wheel drive models added an electric motor for the rear wheels. Despite a sport-tuned suspension and Sport mode, the Sienna felt sluggish, with a CVT that contributed to a smooth but slow acceleration. Around town, it offered a pleasant driving experience, with light and accurate steering and excellent visibility. The brakes were a bit grabby, but the minivan excelled in normal or Eco mode, with an EV mode for low-speed areas. Competing models like the Honda Odyssey and Kia Carnival offered more engaging performance.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan offered firm seating in its two-row configuration, with an optional third row available for an additional cost. The two-row model provided 1,064 litres of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 2,078 litres with the rear seats folded. The three-row version reduced cargo capacity but maintained decent passenger space. Front passengers enjoyed up to 1,006 mm of headroom and 1,021 mm of legroom, while the second row offered 983 mm of legroom, slightly reduced in the three-row model. The third row was tight, with 858 mm of headroom and 708 mm of legroom, but still more spacious than some competitors.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior space, with a lower storage pass-through and multiple cupholders. The second-row captain’s chairs could slide 63.5 cm, offering up to 101.5 cm of legroom. However, the slide function was complex, and the seats couldn't be removed, limiting cargo space. The third row was accessible and offered 99 cm of legroom when the second row was adjusted. The Sienna featured tri-zone climate control, with an additional zone in the XSE trim. The rear liftgate revealed 949 litres of cargo space, expanding to 2,860 litres with the third row stowed and the second row folded.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan featured haptic touch slider buttons for climate control, which were responsive and easy to use. However, the physical volume knob was less user-friendly. The infotainment system, accessed via an 8-inch touchscreen, included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Digital Cockpit System was standard, with the R-Line trims offering a fully configurable 10.25-inch display. The nine-speaker Fender Premium Audio System was a highlight, providing excellent sound quality.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna used Toyota’s older infotainment technology, with a nine-inch touchscreen and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the graphics were outdated, physical buttons for common menus were appreciated. The backup camera was grainy, and the gauges were analog, with a 7-inch digital display for essential information. 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 for the second row and cargo area.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan earned a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS. Standard safety features in Canada included forward collision avoidance, emergency calling, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control and lane assist were available from the Comfortline trim, with semi-autonomous highway driving capabilities. Park Distance Control was standard from the Comfortline R-Line Black trim, though some features were found intrusive.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna came with the Toyota Safety Sense suite, including lane departure alert, automatic emergency braking, road sign recognition, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. The Sienna had numerous airbags, including side curtain airbags for all rows. It received a four-star rating from the NHTSA for frontal crash and rollover protection and five stars for side crash protection. The IIHS rated it “Good” in crashworthiness but “Average” in front crash prevention.