2025 Acura MDX vs 2025 Toyota Sienna

The 2025 Acura MDX underwent subtle styling updates, including a new grille, revised front bumper, and darkened headlights and taillights, which enhanced its sporty and performance-oriented appearance. Most versions received new wheel designs, adding to the SUV's visual appeal. Inside, the MDX saw more significant changes with the introduction of a new touchscreen infotainment system, replacing the previous touchpad interface and providing additional storage. The seats from the previous MDX Type S model were incorporated into the new MDX Platinum Elite A-Spec, while the Type S received a new seat design. Acura also improved cabin quietness with added sound insulation and acoustic laminated window glass. Despite the quality, the gloss black plastic trim on the dashboard was prone to collecting dust and smudges. The MDX offered logically placed controls, including a volume knob and quick-access buttons for the head-up display and safety features. The new Platinum Elite A-Spec trim level combined luxury with a sportier look, with a Canadian MSRP of $78,005, including fees.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna maintained its minivan identity with a trapezoidal grille and upswept body lines, while the Platinum package introduced new flower-petal wheel designs. Despite its attempts at style, the Sienna still resembled a minivan, prioritizing practicality with seating for up to eight. The top-of-the-line Sienna Limited with the Platinum package featured the new Magnetic Grey paint colour and capped a lineup that included LE, XLE, and XSE trims, with prices ranging from $51,219 to $73,753, including fees. The interior updates included a new woodgrain finish, though not universally appreciated. The Sienna's interior was considered an improvement, offering practicality and comfort for families.

The 2025 Acura MDX positioned itself as a performance-oriented luxury SUV, featuring a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine in the Type S model, producing 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. However, most buyers opted for the standard 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 290 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission. The MDX's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system was standard in Canada, providing good power for the midsize SUV. While not exceptionally fast, the MDX offered a range of driving modes, including Comfort, Normal, Sport, Snow, and Individual, with the Sport mode providing the best powertrain response. Fuel economy varied, with most trims rated at 11.2 L/100 km combined, while the Type S consumed 12.4 L/100 km. The MDX excelled in typical driving situations, offering a smooth and comfortable ride, though it wasn't designed for off-roading.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The front-wheel-drive model came standard, with an available all-wheel-drive system. The hybrid system produced a net horsepower of 245, which, while not high, was sufficient for the minivan's needs. The Sienna's hybrid powertrain prioritized fuel economy, with an official rating of 6.6 L/100 km combined for the FWD model. However, during testing, it averaged 8.9 L/100 km. The Sienna offered predictable handling, though not particularly engaging, with a smooth and quiet ride. The XSE trim provided a sportier look and suspension, but the Sienna's focus remained on comfort and practicality.

The 2025 Acura MDX Platinum Elite A-Spec trim featured 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage programs, wrapped in perforated leather for exceptional comfort. The second row could be configured as a bench seat or individual bucket seats, with the middle section folding down for cupholders and storage. The third-row seat was less comfortable for adults, with limited leg support. In-cabin storage was adequate, with a new centre console tray and wireless smartphone charging pad. Cargo volume measured up to 512 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,690 litres with the second row folded.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna offered practical seating and cargo solutions, with power-adjustable and heated front seats. The second-row captain's chairs with ottoman-style leg rests were popular with passengers, while the third-row seat accommodated adults. The Sienna's sliding side doors and hands-free power liftgate facilitated easy loading and unloading. Storage space was generous, though finding secure places for large water bottles was challenging. Cargo capacity measured 949 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,860 litres with the second row tipped forward. However, the Sienna's cargo capacity was less than rivals due to its fixed second-row seats.

The 2025 Acura MDX introduced a new infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, Alexa Built-in, and Google Built-in, eliminating the previous touchpad interface. The system offered a natural and intuitive interface, though SiriusXM required streaming through a phone app. AcuraLink connected services and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot were standard, with sound provided by a Bang & Olufsen audio system. The infotainment system paired with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 10.5-inch head-up display. The MDX Platinum Elite A-Spec and Type S Ultra featured a surround-view camera system for enhanced visibility.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna's higher-spec models featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display for the Toyota Audio Multimedia (TAM) system. The Limited with Platinum package 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 connected services with varying subscription periods, including a digital assistant for voice commands. The Sienna Limited featured a 12-speaker JBL premium audio system, though sound quality was affected by excessive bass. The four-zone climate control system and digital rearview camera added convenience.

The 2025 Acura MDX featured the AcuraWatch collection of driver assistance features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control and Traffic Jam Assist were standard, with the Type S Ultra adding front cross-traffic alert and evasive steering warning. The MDX received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna added new rear-seat reminder technology for 2025. The NHTSA gave the Sienna a five-star overall rating, though it scored lower in frontal crash tests. The Sienna did not earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.