2024 Acura MDX vs 2023 Toyota Sienna

The 2023 Toyota Sienna aimed to redefine the minivan aesthetic, moving away from the traditional image with its sleek front-end styling reminiscent of a Japanese bullet train. Despite its minivan roots, the Sienna offered a variety of trims, including the sporty XSE with 20-inch wheels, and the luxurious Limited trim. Inside, the Sienna impressed with high-quality materials, such as brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents, making it a comfortable and stylish choice for families. The Sienna provided seating for seven or eight passengers, with the option for three-across car seats in the middle row, making it a practical choice for larger families.

In contrast, the 2024 Acura MDX presented a modern and refined presence with its large shield grille and rakish headlights. The interior was high-tech but busy, with a plethora of controls on the centre console. The MDX offered several trims, including the sporty A-Spec and the luxurious Type S Ultra, which featured ambient cabin lighting, open-pore wood inserts, and massaging front seats. The MDX's interior was comfortable, with supportive seating in the first two rows, although the third row was best suited for children. The MDX's design and features catered to those seeking a luxury SUV experience.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and electric motors, delivering a combined 245 horsepower. While this setup was efficient, it lacked the power of some competitors, resulting in lacklustre acceleration. The Sienna's CVT was not the most pleasant-sounding, but its chassis and steering were commendable, offering nimble handling and a surprisingly fun driving experience for a minivan. The Sienna's light steering made city driving easy, and its drive modes, including EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport, provided some versatility, though Normal mode was recommended for the best balance.

The 2024 Acura MDX, on the other hand, offered a more powerful performance with its standard 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 290 horsepower. The Type S Ultra trim took it up a notch with a twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, delivering 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. The MDX's 10-speed automatic transmission and Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive System ensured smooth power delivery and strong acceleration. The adaptive air suspension and Brembo performance brakes in the Type S Ultra trim contributed to a comfortable and agile ride, making the MDX a capable performer on both city streets and highways.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior space and storage solutions, with numerous cubbies, shelves, and bins throughout the cabin. It offered 949 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,129 litres with the third row folded, and a total of 2,860 litres with all seats down. The Sienna's second-row captain's chairs were functional and comfortable, with extending ottomans for extra support. The Sienna's spacious interior and clever storage made it a practical choice for families needing ample room for passengers and cargo.

The 2024 Acura MDX provided three rows of seating, with the first two rows offering comfort and support, while the third row was more suitable for children. The MDX offered 512 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,367 litres with the rear seats folded, and a maximum of 2,690 litres with all seats down. The MDX's interior featured a hands-free power liftgate and a fold-down centre console in the second row, providing convenience and functionality. However, the centre stack of controls was cluttered, and the shifter design took some getting used to.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna's technology was reliable but dated, featuring an older infotainment interface with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Bluetooth connectivity. The 9-inch touchscreen was functional, but the interface felt clunky, requiring wired connections for smartphone integration. Despite its age, the Sienna's technology was dependable, with a 12-speaker JBL premium audio system available on higher trims.

The 2024 Acura MDX's infotainment system was its weak point, with a clumsy interface controlled by a touchpad rather than a touchscreen. Despite this, the MDX offered a robust feature set, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, satellite radio, HD radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The MDX also featured a fully digital instrument panel and wireless device charging, but the unintuitive infotainment system detracted from the overall experience.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna impressed with its comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna earned a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS, making it a safe choice for families.

The 2024 Acura MDX also offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The MDX earned a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. However, the infotainment system's design posed a potential distraction for drivers.