2025 Toyota Sienna vs 2025 Subaru Outback

The 2025 Subaru Outback was a testament to the enduring appeal of wagons in Canada, where they were more appreciated than in the U.S. The Outback embraced the crossover aesthetic with its rugged design elements like chunky wheel-arch flares and skid plate-like fascias, making its adventurous intent clear. While the Crimson Red Pearl paint was exclusive to the U.S., the Outback's earthy tones were more fitting for its off-road persona. Subaru's focus on catering to those who ventured off the beaten path paid off, as the Outback, along with the Crosstrek and Forester, became top sellers by offering a lifted, more robust version of traditional passenger cars. The 2025 model retained its rugged charm with standard heated front seats and a heated steering wheel in Canada, while higher trims boasted features like Subaru’s StarTex synthetic leather and a portrait-oriented 11.6-inch infotainment system.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Sienna attempted to break away from the traditional minivan mold with its trapezoidal grille and upswept body lines, yet it still retained the quintessential minivan silhouette. The Sienna's design, with its narrow taillights and swollen rear fenders, echoed the Camry sedan's styling cues. The Platinum package introduced new flower-petal wheel designs, adding a touch of flair. Despite these efforts, the Sienna remained unmistakably a minivan, prioritizing practicality over style. The top-tier Limited trim with the Platinum package featured a Magnetic Grey paint and a refreshed interior with a woodgrain finish, though opinions on its aesthetics varied. The Sienna's interior updates aimed to enhance its appeal, but its core identity as a family-friendly vehicle remained unchanged.

The 2025 Subaru Outback offered two engine options, both featuring Subaru's signature Boxer engine design. The standard 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine delivered 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, while the turbocharged 2.4-litre engine in the XT and Wilderness trims produced a more robust 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. Both engines ran on regular unleaded gas and were paired with a Lineartronic CVT, which powered the standard AWD system. The turbocharged engine provided a noticeable boost in performance, making it a recommended choice for those with the budget. The Outback's 22 cm ground clearance, enhanced to 24.1 cm in the Wilderness trim, and Subaru’s X-Mode ensured excellent traction on challenging terrains. The Outback's ride was smooth and comfortable, with a soft suspension that absorbed road imperfections effortlessly. However, the stop/start technology and CVT's response time were areas for improvement.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and a CVT. The system produced a net 245 horsepower, which was adequate for a minivan seating up to eight and towing up to 1,587 kg. The electric motor's torque compensated for the modest horsepower, providing a surprisingly responsive drive in urban settings. The Sienna's hybrid system prioritized fuel efficiency, achieving a combined rating of 6.6 L/100 km in FWD models. However, our test unit averaged 8.9 L/100 km. The Sienna's handling was secure but not particularly engaging, with a tendency to feel squishy in curves. The XSE trim offered a sportier suspension for those seeking a slightly more dynamic drive. Overall, the Sienna provided a smooth and quiet ride, though the CVT's droning was noticeable during hard acceleration.

The 2025 Subaru Outback's wagon design offered practicality with easy entry and exit, a lower roof height for convenient roof rack loading, and a low centre of gravity for agile handling. Its cargo space, measuring 923 litres with the rear seat up and 2,141 litres with the bench folded, was slightly smaller than some crossovers but highly usable due to its flat floor and square shape. The Outback's total passenger volume of 3,044 litres surpassed its crossover rivals, offering ample front headroom and legroom. Buyers were advised to test different trims, as the driving experience varied significantly between models. The Outback's towing capacity ranged from 1,225 kg to 1,588 kg with the turbocharged engine.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna excelled in form and function, offering unique seating and cargo solutions. The Limited trim's front seats were power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated, though they proved uncomfortable on long drives. The second-row captain's chairs with ottoman-style leg rests were a hit, and the third-row seat accommodated adults comfortably. The Sienna's cargo space was generous, with 949 litres behind the third row and 2,129 litres with the third row stowed. However, its maximum cargo capacity of 2,860 litres was less than rivals due to the non-removable second-row seats. The Sienna's design prioritized ease of use, with features like hands-free power liftgate and sliding side doors enhancing practicality.

The 2025 Subaru Outback's technology package was a mix of strengths and weaknesses. The 11.6-inch touchscreen was bright and user-friendly, but the Starlink infotainment system was slow to respond, especially at startup. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless connectivity available on most trims. The Harman Kardon audio system delivered quality sound, though navigational commands occasionally disrupted audio playback. The dashboard featured a blend of physical controls and touchscreen functions, catering to both tech-savvy and traditional buyers. The inclusion of a CD player and USB-A port alongside modern USB-C connectivity highlighted the Outback's blend of old and new technology.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna's higher-spec models boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the TAM infotainment system. The Limited trim featured a four-zone climate control system, a 10-inch HUD, and a digital rearview mirror. The TAM system offered four connected services plans, with varying subscription periods. The digital assistant, part of the Drive Connect plan, impressed with its responsiveness to voice commands. The JBL premium audio system, while powerful, required adjustments to avoid excessive bass. The Sienna's climate control and camera systems enhanced comfort and convenience, though some features depended on active subscriptions.

The 2025 Subaru Outback came equipped with Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assist technology, which included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency steering. While effective, the lane-keeping system exhibited more side-to-side movement than desired. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, which functioned reliably. The DriverFocus system occasionally issued false notifications but was generally helpful. The Outback earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured TSS 2.0, an older but preferred version of Toyota's safety suite. It included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna's safety systems generally performed well, though the adaptive cruise control required vigilance in urban settings. New for 2025, the Sienna introduced a rear-seat reminder system, alerting drivers to movement in the cabin after exiting the vehicle. The Sienna received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though its frontal crash-test results were less impressive, with a three-star rating for driver protection.