2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Toyota Sienna

The 2025 Ford Explorer continued to build on its previous redesign, maintaining its rear-wheel-drive platform that contributed to its balanced proportions and sleek design. The refreshed model featured a restyled front end, giving it a wider and more ruggedly handsome appearance. New LED taillights and a strip of trim connecting them added to its modern look. Inside, the Explorer saw significant improvements, with upgraded materials, colours, and displays that enhanced the overall interior ambiance. Ford streamlined the trim levels in Canada, offering four options: Active, ST-Line, Platinum, and ST, with prices ranging from $52,830 to $71,430.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Sienna retained its minivan identity, despite efforts to add style with features like a trapezoidal grille and upswept body lines. The Sienna's design included hidden sliding door tracks and narrow taillights that drew a resemblance to the Camry sedan. The Platinum package introduced new flower-petal wheel designs. While the Sienna's exterior remained true to its minivan roots, it offered practicality with seating for up to eight passengers. The interior updates included a new woodgrain finish, though opinions on its aesthetics varied. The Sienna's Canadian lineup included LE, XLE, XSE, and Limited trims, with prices ranging from $51,219 to $73,753.

The 2025 Ford Explorer offered two EcoBoost engine options. Most trims featured a turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The ST trim, and optionally the Platinum, came with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 delivering 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. All Canadian Explorers had a 10-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The Explorer's fuel economy ratings varied, with the base engine achieving 11.9 L/100 km in the city and 8.7 on the highway. The V6 engine in the Platinum and ST trims had slightly higher consumption figures. The Explorer's driving modes and performance capabilities made it versatile, with the ST-Line offering larger wheels for added style.

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 its seating capacity of up to eight passengers. The Sienna's hybrid system prioritized fuel efficiency, with a rating of 6.6 L/100 km in combined driving for the FWD model. However, our test unit averaged 8.9 L/100 km. While the Sienna's handling was predictable, it lacked the excitement of sportier vehicles. The XSE trim offered a sport-tuned suspension for a slightly more engaging drive. Overall, the Sienna provided a smooth and quiet ride, with the CVT occasionally emitting a droning sound during hard acceleration.

The 2025 Ford Explorer accommodated six passengers in its standard configuration, with an optional second-row bench seat increasing capacity to seven. The ST-Line trim featured comfortable front seats with black artificial leather upholstery and cloth inserts. The second-row captain's chairs were equally comfortable, but accessing the third row was challenging for adults. Cargo space was competitive, with 461 litres behind the third row, 1,302 litres behind the second row, and a maximum of 2,429 litres. The Explorer's interior updates included ambient lighting, heated seats, and a wireless charging pad.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna excelled in form and function, offering power-adjustable and heated front seats with ventilated leather in the Limited trim. The second-row captain's chairs with ottoman-style leg rests were popular among passengers. The Sienna's third-row seat was accommodating for adults, and the sliding side doors facilitated easy access. Cargo space was generous, with 949 litres behind the third row and 2,129 litres behind the second row. However, the Sienna's maximum cargo capacity of 2,860 litres was less than its rivals due to the non-removable second-row seats. The Sienna's interior featured a refrigerated compartment and a hands-free power liftgate for added convenience.

The 2025 Ford Explorer featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system called Ford Digital Experience. This system included Google Built-in, Amazon Alexa, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Explorer offered a B&O sound system, with the ST-Line having 10 speakers and the Platinum and ST boasting 14 speakers. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with Google Maps integration and app downloads through Google Play. The Explorer's technology package focused on practicality rather than excessive features, providing a seamless and enjoyable user experience.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna's higher-spec models came with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display 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 offered connected services with varying subscription periods, including a digital assistant for voice commands. The Sienna's infotainment system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a 12-speaker JBL premium audio system. The four-zone climate control and digital rearview camera added to the Sienna's technological appeal.

The 2025 Ford Explorer came equipped with Ford CoPilot 360 Assist+, which included adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist. The ST-Line trim and higher featured Ford CoPilot 360 2.0, adding a surround-view camera system and BlueCruise, Ford's hands-free highway driving system. The Explorer's safety features performed well, though BlueCruise occasionally required driver intervention. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not fully rated the 2025 Explorer, but it received five-star side-impact and four-star rollover resistance ratings. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the Platinum's headlights as Good, while other trims received a Marginal rating.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.0, which included forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna's safety systems worked effectively, though the lane-centring assist could waver in certain situations. The Sienna added a rear-seat reminder system for 2025, alerting drivers to movement within the cabin. The NHTSA awarded the Sienna a five-star overall rating, but it received four stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for driver protection in a frontal impact. The Sienna's safety features were comprehensive, though its crash-test results were less favourable than some competitors.