Toyota Sienna vs Subaru Ascent

The 2024 Subaru Ascent had a design that was not universally praised. Subaru's designers had a history of creating appealing vehicles only to alter them unfavourably during refreshes. This was evident in the Ascent, which had developed some visually unappealing features, such as tusks and a spear-like grille design. Despite these design choices, the Ascent's interior in the Premier trim was well-received for its quality materials, including premium Nappa leather upholstery and a functional, albeit modular, design. The vehicle's practicality was evident, though it lacked a modern or sophisticated aesthetic.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Sienna attempted to bring style to the minivan segment, though it still retained the boxy design typical of its class. The Sienna featured a trapezoidal grille and upswept body lines, with rear fenders that wrapped into a rear end mimicking the front's design. The Platinum package introduced new wheel designs, but the Sienna still looked like a minivan. Despite this, it offered practicality with seating for up to eight and a spacious interior. The Magnetic Grey paint and flower-petal wheel designs added a touch of elegance to the top-of-the-line Limited trim with the Platinum package.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 pound-feet of torque between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm. It featured a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive (AWD) with active torque vectoring. The Ascent could tow up to 2,270 kilograms, making it versatile for various driving conditions. It excelled in urban and rural settings, handling speed humps and off-road terrain with ease. However, it struggled on twisty mountain roads due to its weight and suspension tuning. Fuel economy was a concern, with ratings of 12.3 L/100 km in the city and 9.4 on the highway, though real-world tests showed higher consumption.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and a CVT. It offered 245 net horsepower, which was modest for a vehicle seating up to eight and towing 1,587 kilograms. The hybrid system provided immediate torque, preventing the Sienna from feeling sluggish. It was quiet in city and highway driving, though the CVT could be noisy during hard acceleration. The Sienna's hybrid powertrain prioritized fuel economy, with an official rating of 6.6 L/100 km in combined driving. However, real-world tests showed an average of 8.9 L/100 km. The Sienna's handling was secure but not particularly engaging, with a smooth ride and excellent impact isolation.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent prioritized function over form, with features like a dashboard shelf, large cupholders, and backpack pegs. The Premier trim offered comfortable front seats with premium Nappa leather, though the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster. The rear doors opened wide, facilitating easy loading of children and cargo. The Ascent's cargo space was generous, with up to 458 litres behind the third row and a maximum of 2,140 litres with seats folded. The panoramic sunroof slightly reduced these measurements.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna offered unique seating and cargo solutions. The Limited trim with the Platinum package featured power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats, though they were not ideal for long trips. The second-row captain's chairs with ottoman-style leg rests were popular with teenagers, and the third-row seat accommodated adults comfortably. The Sienna's cargo space was ample, with 949 litres behind the third row and a maximum of 2,860 litres. However, the second-row seats could not be removed, limiting maximum cargo capacity compared to rivals.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent came with the Starlink infotainment system, featuring an 11.6-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims offered a navigation system and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. The system worked well, though the display washed out in sunlight, and the voice-recognition system was subpar. Physical buttons and knobs controlled essential functions, and a surround-view camera and digital rearview camera were available on the Premier trim.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna's higher-spec models featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the Toyota Audio Multimedia (TAM) system. The Limited trim included a four-zone climate control system, a head-up display, and a digital rearview mirror. The TAM system offered connected services with varying subscription periods, and the digital assistant responded well to commands. The Sienna's infotainment system paired with a 12-speaker JBL audio system, though sound quality was not ideal. The four-zone climate control and digital rearview camera were appreciated features.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent was synonymous with safety, featuring a high-strength steel platform and the EyeSight collection of safety features. It received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for rollover resistance, and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. The EyeSight package included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. However, the lane-centring assist technology was problematic, causing issues during testing.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured TSS 2.0, an older version of Toyota's safety suite. It included forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna's safety systems generally worked well, though the lane-centring assist could waver. The Sienna added a rear-seat reminder system for 2025, alerting drivers to movement in the cabin. The NHTSA gave the Sienna a five-star overall rating, though it scored lower in frontal crash tests.