2023 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2022 Genesis GV70 boasted a distinctive design that set it apart from its siblings in the Genesis lineup. It featured the brand's signature quad LED strips for headlights and taillights, along with a prominent shield-shaped grille. However, the GV70's sloping roofline and ribbed detailing added a unique touch, blending SUV bulk with sleek, car-like elements. The Sport Prestige model further enhanced its character with unique styling features, including a model-specific front fascia, 21-inch wheels with a web pattern, and dark chrome trim. Inside, the GV70's interior embraced an elliptical theme inspired by an airplane wing's cross-section, with a minimalistic design that included a perched touchscreen and hidden air vents. The interior offered a range of color options and luxurious materials, such as Nappa leather upholstery with suede seat inserts in the Sport Prestige model.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna aimed to shed its minivan image with a design that resembled a Japanese bullet train. While most trims featured 18-inch wheels, the XSE and Platinum trims offered 20-inch wheels for a sportier look. The Sienna provided a variety of trim levels, including the new 25th Anniversary Special Edition. The XLE trim, popular among value-conscious shoppers, added features like LED fog lights, power-sliding doors, and a power liftgate. Inside, the Sienna impressed with its high-quality brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents in the Platinum trim. It offered seating for seven or eight passengers, with the latter option available in the LE or XLE trims. The Sienna's middle-row seats could accommodate three car seats, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options: a base 2.5-liter turbo-four engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 generating 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrains came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The GV70 also featured a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, emphasizing its sporty character. The Sport+ drive mode further enhanced its performance, holding high revs and sharpening throttle response. However, the GV70's chassis felt heavy, lacking the sharpness of competitors like the Acura RDX and BMW X3. The steering, while adequate, wasn't precise enough for spirited driving. The GV70 excelled on highways and in town, but its firm ride and lack of solidity fell short of true luxury standards.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna adopted a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two front-mounted electric motors and a third rear-mounted motor for AWD trims. This setup delivered 245 net system horsepower, which felt underwhelming for the Sienna's size and weight. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) struggled with acceleration, but the Sienna's chassis and steering impressed with nimbleness and ease of driving. The Sienna offered multiple drive modes, but Normal mode was the most practical choice. While the Sienna's powertrain lacked excitement, its driving dynamics were surprisingly enjoyable for a minivan.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 provided mid-pack interior space for its segment. Despite its car-like roofline, it offered comparable headroom to competitors like the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and BMW X3. Legroom in both rows was adequate, and rear-seat visibility was good. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded, placing the GV70 in the middle ground among its peers. The interior design, while daring, compromised storage space, with limited room in the center console and door pockets. The front seats in the Sport Prestige model were heavily bolstered, offering heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions, though some controls were buried in touchscreen menus.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior storage solutions, with ample space for bags and a long shelf for phones. It featured a big bin in the center console and numerous cupholders. The Sienna's minivan platform made excellent use of space, offering 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and 75.2 cubic feet with it folded. Total cargo space reached 101 cubic feet, though the middle row couldn't be fully removed or folded into the floor. The second-row captain's chairs were functional, with extending ottomans and a long sliding track for added legroom. The Sienna's third-row seats accommodated adults comfortably, a rarity in three-row crossovers.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 impressed with its tech offerings, featuring a 14.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The infotainment system's tile-based layout and crisp graphics were user-friendly, and the glass rotary controller added functionality. Higher trims offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-inch head-up display with a 3D effect. The GV70 also included a digital-key feature, a fingerprint scanner, and a high-tech rear-seat monitor. Genesis Connected Services provided additional features like remote camera activation and driver profiles.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna relied on an older infotainment interface, offering core features like SiriusXM, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The interface included physical buttons, which some users appreciated, but it felt outdated and clunky. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay required a wired connection, and accessing Android Auto was cumbersome. Despite these quirks, the Sienna's technology was reliable, with a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12-speaker JBL audio system.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came equipped with a range of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, blind-spot and forward collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver-attention monitor. It also featured Highway Driving Assist with automated lane centering and adaptive cruise control. The GV70 included eight airbags, including a front-center airbag. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna impressed with its standard safety technology, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with steering assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS for the 2022 model. While it lacked some gimmicky features found in competitors, the Sienna prioritized safety for families.