2023 Toyota RAV4 vs 2023 Toyota Sienna

The 2023 Toyota Sienna was a minivan that aimed to shed its traditional image with a design reminiscent of a Japanese bullet train. Despite its minivan roots, the Sienna offered a stylish alternative with its larger cargo capacity, easy access, and creative interior features. Toyota provided a variety of trim levels, including the base LE, XLE, sporty XSE, and the upper-class Limited, with a special 25th Anniversary Edition also available. The Sienna's interior was praised for its high-quality materials, such as the brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents in the Platinum trim. It accommodated seven or eight passengers, with the eight-seater option supporting three-across car seats in the middle row.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 maintained its rugged SUV appeal with a design that had remained consistent since 2019. The Trail trim stood out with its aggressive grille, blacked-out wheels, and orange interior accents. The RAV4 offered a more truck-like experience compared to the car-like Toyota Venza. It provided a range of trims, from the base LE to the Limited, with features like heated and ventilated seats. The RAV4's interior was functional, with convenient storage options and a premium feel in higher trims. It was designed to seat five, offering competitive headroom and legroom, though it was narrower than some competitors.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna was equipped with a hybrid powertrain, featuring a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with electric motors, delivering a combined 245 horsepower. While this setup was less powerful than some competitors, the Sienna's chassis and steering were praised for their nimbleness and ease of driving. The Sienna offered various drive modes, but the normal mode was recommended for the best balance of performance and efficiency. The Sienna's light steering and tidy turning radius made it well-suited for city driving.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4, on the other hand, came with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the RAV4's performance was described as unobjectionable, though not particularly exciting. The RAV4 Trail trim featured 19-inch wheels and a suspension setup similar to other RAV4 models. While the RAV4's engine was not the quietest, it was still more refined than some competitors. The RAV4's AWD system was standard across all trims, enhancing its capability in various driving conditions.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior space and storage solutions. It featured a spacious interior with clever storage options, including a large cubby below the centre console and a long shelf on the dashboard. The Sienna's cargo space was impressive, offering 949 litres behind the third row and up to 2,860 litres with the seats folded. However, the middle row of seats could not be fully removed or folded into the floor, limiting maximum cargo space compared to some competitors. The Sienna's second-row captain's chairs were highly functional, with extending ottomans and ample legroom for third-row passengers.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 provided seating for five, with competitive headroom and legroom measurements. It offered 1,059 litres of cargo space behind the second row and 1,977 litres with the seats folded, placing it in the middle of its class. The RAV4's interior featured practical storage options, including a shelf running the length of the glove compartment and generous door pockets. The front-row centre cupholders and lever-style gear shifter added to its rugged appeal. While the RAV4's cargo space was not class-leading, it was still competitive within its segment.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna featured an older infotainment system with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though both required a wired connection. The system included a 9-inch touchscreen, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and an optional navigation system. While the interface was functional, it felt outdated and clunky to use. The Sienna's technology was reliable, with a 12-speaker JBL premium audio system available on higher trims.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 received a new infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen as standard, upgraded to a 10.5-inch screen in the Limited trim. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with over-the-air updates and voice command. The RAV4's technology package included Toyota's Safety Connect, Service Connect, and Drive Connect services. The Limited trim also featured an 11-speaker JBL Premium audio system and a 12.3-inch driver-information display.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna came equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with steering assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. These features were part of the Toyota Safety Sense package, contributing to the Sienna's 5-star crash test rating from the NHTSA and its Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS.

Similarly, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 featured a robust set of safety features, including lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The RAV4 was equipped with the TSS 2.5 suite, which included Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. The RAV4 earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, demonstrating its strong safety performance.