2023 Toyota Sienna vs 2023 Audi Q5

The 2023 Audi Q5 had a distinctive exterior style that married subtle curves with angular accents, resulting in a look that was both classy and sporty. It was available in two body styles: the conventional Q5 SUV and the Q5 Sportback with its sloping rear roofline for a sleeker profile. Although coupelike styling typically divided opinions, the Q5 Sportback was an exception, thanks to its spoiler-like element above the taillights that created a decisive transition from hatch to the more upright tail section, which gave it a more refined appearance compared to some competitors.

Inside, the Q5 showcased a refined but straightforward layout, although it began to show signs of aging since its last overhaul five years prior. Standard features included leather seating and heated front seats, with additional options such as a heated steering wheel and heated rear seats. Unlike many rivals that opted for large, tablet-like touchscreens, the Q5 stuck with a 10-inch touchscreen positioned atop the dash. Materials quality remained good, although it no longer stood out as much in a segment where non-luxury brands had raised their game. Rear-seat occupants found themselves surrounded by durable plastic elements designed to withstand daily wear from kids and pets.

The Q5 benefitted from sturdy build quality with no noticeable squeaks or creaks when driven over rough surfaces. Overall, it was a reliable choice in the competitive luxury SUV market, facing off against the likes of Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Porsche.

Contrastingly, the 2023 Toyota Sienna aimed to shed its minivan stigma by incorporating a more desirable design. The front-end styling took cues from a Japanese bullet train, and select trims featured large, 20-inch wheels for a bolder visual impact. The Sienna was available in numerous trims, from the base LE to the luxurious Platinum, with a 25th Anniversary Special Edition trim also making its debut in 2023.

The Sienna's interior was both functional and charming, particularly in the higher Platinum trim. This variant featured high-quality brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents on the center console, making it a pleasant environment. The Sienna offered seating for either seven or eight passengers; however, higher trims like the Platinum were configured for seven. The middle-row seats were especially versatile—they could slide forward and backward on long tracks, allowing excellent legroom for third-row passengers, a rarity among larger vehicles.

The 2023 Audi Q5 offered multiple engine choices, each catering to a different driver need. The base 40 TFSI was a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivered 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The mid-range 45 TFSI increased output to 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, and this was the sole engine option for the Q5 Sportback. The top-of-the-line 55 TFSI featured a plug-in hybrid powertrain (PHEV) producing 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an estimated electric-only range of 23 miles on a full charge, which took about 2.5 hours on a 7.4 kW home charger. All these models came with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard Quattro all-wheel drive (AWD).

In driving tests, the Q5 Sportback with the 45 TFSI engine showed a noticeable delay in power delivery, mainly due to a slow-reacting transmission. This delay made the initial acceleration feel sluggish compared to its 5.7-second 0-60 mph estimate. However, once it picked up speed, power was sufficient for most driving situations. Handling was sporty and precise, offering confidence on winding roads. While the Q5 struck an admirable balance between comfort and cornering capability, bump impacts were well managed, maintaining a calm cabin atmosphere.

Toyota, on the other hand, powered the 2023 Sienna with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two front electric motors (and a third for AWD models). This hybrid setup generated a combined output of 245 horsepower, which felt slightly underwhelming for a minivan of its size. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) contributed to a less-than-ideal driving experience, often making the engine sound strained under acceleration.

Despite its lackluster powertrain, the Sienna excelled in chassis and steering dynamics. Its nimble platform made it easy to maneuver around town and composed at highway speeds. A light steering feel made urban driving effortless, and its tight turning radius was impressive for a vehicle of its size. Various drive modes like EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport were available, though Normal mode was generally the best for everyday driving requirements.

The interior design of the 2023 Audi Q5 had remained relatively unchanged since 2018, yet it continued to deliver a well-thought-out layout. Its infotainment touchscreen was conveniently positioned to reduce distractions, and it featured traditional dials and buttons for climate controls, along with physical buttons for other secondary controls. This setup minimized the need for navigating on-screen menus. The Audi Q5 offered good outward visibility, with narrow front roof pillars and an average rear view, supplemented by parking cameras for tight spots.

Front passengers enjoyed ample space, and rear-seat passengers had sufficient legroom and headroom, even in the Sportback variant where headroom was slightly reduced by a quarter of an inch. Storage solutions in the Q5 included several oddly shaped and sized compartments, though most were serviceable. Cargo space behind the rear seats was 25.8 cubic feet in the standard model and 24.7 cubic feet in the Sportback. By comparison, competitors like the BMW X3 and Genesis GV70 offered slightly more, while the Porsche Macan lagged behind with just 17.2 cubic feet.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna, being a minivan, shined when it came to interior space and storage solutions. It boasted various cubbies, nooks, shelves, and bins that made it incredibly practical for family use. The open cubby below the center console was large enough for a sizable bag or purse, and a long shelf extended across the middle of the dash. In higher trims, this shelf featured a wireless charging pad. Additionally, there was a substantial center console bin and numerous cupholders.

Stretching over 200 inches in length and a 120.5-inch wheelbase, the Sienna made excellent use of space. Its minivan platform allowed for more cargo space behind the third row than most three-row crossovers could offer. It had 33.5 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third row and 75.2 cubic feet with that row folded down. The Sienna's total cargo space was 101 cubic feet, though other minivans surpassed this due to the Sienna's non-removable middle-row seats. Still, the Sienna's second-row captain’s chairs were highly functional and comfortable, with features like extending ottomans and long sliding tracks for greater legroom flexibility.

All 2023 Audi Q5 models came equipped with a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen offering sharp graphics and quick responses, although the system took a while to boot up and initiate Apple CarPlay. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were supported wirelessly. Higher trims also came with a Bang & Olufsen audio system. The native infotainment's on-screen buttons were easy to read and operate while driving, although the smaller, closer app buttons in Apple CarPlay could be a challenge.

The Audi Q5 could be remotely monitored and controlled through a smartphone app, offering features such as remote unlocking and pre-conditioning the cabin temperature. Audi Connect Care, including a Wi-Fi hotspot, was available for a limited-time subscription, after which continued access required payment. Mid-range trims featured a customizable digital instrument panel that provided abundant information on command.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna, on another note, came with Toyota's older infotainment interface. Despite lacking the latest technology seen in newer Toyota models like the Tundra or Sequoia, it still offered essential features including SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an optional navigation system. It also had seven USB ports throughout the cabin. The Sienna's older system included some physical buttons, which some drivers preferred for their tactile feedback and ease of use without diverting attention from the road.

However, the interface felt dated and was occasionally cumbersome to use. For instance, both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a wired connection, and accessing Android Auto via the menu view every time was less than ideal. Despite these quirks, the Sienna’s technology was reliable, featuring a 9-inch touchscreen that didn’t seem undersized in practice. The 12-speaker JBL audio system included in higher trims provided quality sound.

In terms of safety, the 2023 Audi Q5 earned top ratings. It received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and achieved "Good" scores in all crashworthiness tests conducted by the IIHS, culminating in a Top Safety Pick+ award. The Q5’s comprehensive safety suite included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and front and rear parking sensors. Higher trims offered additional features like lane-keep assist, a surround-view camera system, traffic jam assist, matrix-design LED headlights, a head-up display, a semi-automated parking system, and a traffic sign reader.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna also ranked high in safety. It came with an impressive array of standard ADAS features, 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. These features were especially crucial for a family vehicle. The Sienna garnered a perfect five-star rating from the NHTSA, and the 2022 model, mechanically identical to the 2023 version, earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award. Though competitors like Honda and Chrysler offered gimmicky family-focused safety features, Toyota chose to prioritize fundamental safety, which did not disappoint.