2023 Genesis GV80 vs 2023 Toyota Sienna

The 2023 Genesis GV80’s exterior styling exuded sophistication and grace with its quad-lamp headlights and bold grille. This midsize SUV stood stately at just over 16 feet long, and while 19-inch wheels were standard, the Prestige trim boasted 22-inch alloy wheels that added to its grandeur.

The quad-lamp look carried over to the rear, highlighting the four-part taillamps positioned above the dual exhaust. The hands-free liftgate was boxy—eschewing coupe styling. However, our tester’s matte Brunswick Green paint job provided an elegant touch, far from detracting from its overall appeal.

Inside, the dark green color scheme continued on the quilted leather seats, delivering an excellent aesthetic. The dash featured thin, horizontal air vents, flanked by metal and matte wood trim. The center console was distinct with three prominent dials for controlling the infotainment system, transmission, and drive modes respectively. Genesis’s two-spoke steering wheel set it apart from other luxury manufacturers.

Despite the luxurious design, there was one quibble: the 14.5-inch infotainment screen appeared somewhat awkwardly placed atop the dash. A more integrated design would be desirable, but it was a minor irritation. Ultimately, the interior was a spacious, luxurious place, exuding comfort and elegance.

For the 2023 Toyota Sienna, the traditional minivan aesthetic presented a hard sell for many shoppers. The sliding doors and slab-sided design might have recalled childhood memories in the back seat, with Cheerio crumbs on the carpet and parents navigating with a road atlas. The 1990s SUV boom spelled the minivan’s waning social status. Yet, as SUVs evolved into car-based crossovers, resembling high-riding minivans sans sliding doors, the Sienna’s practical value shone through.

Toyota dedicated effort to dissociating the Sienna from its minivan roots. The front-end styling drew inspiration from Japanese bullet trains, while FWD XSE and Platinum trims showcased 20-inch wheels (other trims had 18-inch wheels).

The Sienna offered numerous trim levels, including the LE, XLE, sporty XSE, upper-class Limited, and top-tier Platinum. The 2023 model introduced the 25th Anniversary Special Edition, positioned just below Limited.

We anticipated the XLE trim as a starting point for value-focused shoppers. It included LED fog lights, power-sliding doors, and a power liftgate, invaluable for families with multiple children.

Inside, the Platinum trim’s brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents on the center console were fantastic. The Sienna came in seven or eight-passenger configurations. Although only LE and XLE trims offered seating for eight, these models supported three across-car seats in the middle row with LATCH anchors.

For the 2023 Genesis GV80, all-wheel drive (AWD) was standard, with a choice between a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, or a turbo 3.5-liter V6 with 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. Our tester featured the larger engine, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The GV80 fell short in athleticism and nimbleness, taking about five and a half seconds to reach sixty, slower than some competitors. While capable of handling turns, it appeared somewhat sloppy compared to its German rivals.

However, the GV80 excelled in highway driving. Power delivery and shifts were smooth, and the electronically controlled suspension could adjust for road roughness via a forward-facing camera. With active noise cancellation, the freeway commute became exceptionally serene and smooth.

Toyota’s fourth-generation Sienna, revealed in 2020, opted for a hybrid-only lineup. Featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two front-mounted electric motors and a third rear-mounted motor for AWD, the powertrain produced a combined 245 horsepower—considerably less impressive than its rivals.

The Sienna’s powertrain struggled with the vehicle’s size and weight, and its continuously variable transmission (CVT) resulted in a less appealing sound. Its acceleration seemed lackluster compared to competitors like the Odyssey.

However, the Sienna’s chassis and steering shined. Agile and responsive, it easily navigated urban settings and cruised seamlessly on highways. Despite its large size, the Sienna was genuinely enjoyable to drive.

Particularly in urban settings, the Sienna’s light steering was advantageous, offering a surprisingly compact turning radius. Toyota provided several drive modes—EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport—but we favored Normal mode. Eco mode overly extended the CVT’s simulated gears and dampened the throttle, while EV mode often engaged the gas engine. Sport mode didn’t significantly alter the driving experience to forget you were driving a minivan.

Though the 2023 Genesis GV80 lacked driving excitement, it compensated with features and luxury touches. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard in nearly every trim, and our tester had ventilated front and rear seats. The Ergo Motion driver’s seat, with seven inflatable pockets to combat fatigue, added comfort. Sumptuous Nappa leather seats further enhanced the luxury.

Although a third row was available, its legroom was limited to 30 inches, best suited for children. Genesis puddle lamps greeted drivers, and a proximity key unlocked the car. A digital key was also available. The tri-zone climate control ensured comfort for all passengers, while the optional 21-speaker stereo system pleased audiophiles. The GV80 also featured a suede headliner and panoramic glass roof.

Utility was a strong suit for the GV80. It offered 34.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 84 cubic feet with seats folded. Towing capacity reached a significant 6,000 pounds with trailer brakes.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior storage solutions, unlike the Genesis. It featured spacious cubbies, a large under-center console storage area for bags or purses, and a long dash shelf extending to the passenger’s seat, suitable for small items and phones. Higher trims included a wireless charging pad.

The Sienna was well-equipped with numerous cupholders, a substantial center console bin, and various storage options. Measuring over 200 inches in length with a 120.5-inch wheelbase, the Sienna’s minivan design maximized space.

The Sienna offered 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 75.2 cubic feet with the seat folded, and a total of 101 cubic feet. Although these figures outclassed crossovers like the Highlander, they fell short compared to some minivans like the Odyssey and Pacifica due to the unremovable middle row seats in the Sienna.

However, the Sienna’s second-row captain’s chairs were functional regardless of occupant height and featured extending ottomans for extra support. The middle-row seats slid forward and backward on a long track, accommodating adults in the third row with genuine legroom—an advantage over many three-row crossovers.

All 2023 Genesis GV80 trims featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system. Our tester also included a 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster, which, while innovative, felt a bit gimmicky. The infotainment screen was slightly out of reach for touch use, and the accompanying dial was cumbersome despite its satisfying “clicky” feel. The dial top’s handwriting recognition feature aided in searching for satellite radio stations or entering navigation details. However, the menu structure was inconsistent, posing a large learning curve.

Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were present but not wireless. Wireless charging, four USB ports, a 12-volt outlet, and a 110-volt outlet ensured no device would run out of power.

The GV80 boasted remote smart parking assist, enabling the car to park itself forward or backward and into tight spaces with the driver outside the vehicle. This feature was both fun and practical.

For the 2023 Toyota Sienna, the infotainment system lagged behind more contemporary Toyota models. While it included SiriusXM, Bluetooth, standard Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, and an optional navigation system, it lacked the advanced technology from newer models. Benefits included seven USB ports and some physical buttons, a useful trait in maintaining focus on the road.

However, the Sienna’s system appeared outdated and clunky. Both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay required wired connections, and accessing Android Auto necessitated navigating through the menu each time. Additionally, functions like selecting the audio tile redirected to Toyota’s music player instead of the desired software.

Despite seeming less impressive on paper, the 9-inch touchscreen fit well within the interior. The 12-speaker JBL audio system in our model provided satisfying sound quality.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 abounded with standard advanced driver’s aids. This included forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist and follow, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. Genesis distinguished itself with unique features such as a blind-spot video feed projected into the digital gauge cluster, omitting the need for neck craning.

Another notable feature was Highway Drive Assist, leveraging forward-facing cameras, radar, the navigation system, and lane-keeping aids for a hands-on/eyes-up aid. It operated only on approved highways and under 95 mph, autonomously changing lanes when signaling, adjusting for road curves or changing speed limits, and adapting to the driver’s habits.

While the GV80’s Highway Drive Assist struggled facing direct sunlight, ping-ponging within lanes, it generally worked well, alleviating stress in stop-and-go traffic outside of direct sunlight scenarios.

The GV80 received a full five stars from NHTSA for overall safety, with five out of five stars for side crash rating and four out of five stars for rollover and frontal crash ratings. IIHS rated the GV80 as Good for crashworthiness and Superior in front crash prevention for car and pedestrian scenarios, though it marked headlights and LATCH system as Acceptable.

For the 2023 Toyota Sienna, safety technology impressed with standard ADAS. It included 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—essentially prioritizing family safety.

The 2023 Sienna secured a 5-star crash test rating from NHTSA. While IIHS hasn't rated the 2023 model, the 2022 Sienna, mechanically identical, earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation.

Toyota’s competitors like Honda and Chrysler also achieved Top Safety Pick+ ratings, with Kia Carnival garnering a Top Safety Pick award. Unlike competitors’ additional family-oriented features, Toyota maintained a more straightforward approach without intercom or back-seat camera systems.