2024 Toyota Sienna vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2023 Lexus GX, with its massive spindle grille and 8.1 inches of ground clearance, certainly had a commanding presence. Its front end looked ready to dominate the road, framed by large headlights that added to its distinctive face. The GX Black Line Special Edition, limited to 3,000 units, returned with new paint options, including Eminent White Pearl and the exclusive Nori Green Pearl. Despite its luxury badge, the GX's dimensions seemed to shrink when viewed from the side, with a short 109.8-inch wheelbase and minimal overhangs, making it appear more rugged and off-road-ready. The interior, however, was a mix of luxury and disappointment, with a surprising amount of plastic material. Yet, it still offered heated and cooled front seats, a power-retracting steering wheel, and impressive leather upholstery.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Sienna was available in multiple trims, each with a distinctive look. The Sienna's sleek front and rear fascias, combined with cool color options like deep blue, red, or green, gave it a stylish edge. LED lighting was standard, with upper trims featuring Bi-LED projector headlamps. The XSE trim, with its sporty black metallic mesh grille, black heated side mirrors, and 20-inch dark wheels, stood out as the "swagger wagon." The Woodland Edition, designed for a bit more off-road capability, featured roof rails, a tow hitch, and slightly increased ground clearance. Inside, the Sienna offered a spacious and functional interior with cloth seats, three-zone climate control, and room for eight. The XSE trim with the optional Premium package added luxury touches like leather-trimmed heated and cooled front seats and a leather-trimmed power steering wheel.

The 2023 Lexus GX was defined by its V8 engine, which delivered a linear rise in power and noise as the accelerator was depressed. With 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque from its 4.6-liter V8, the GX didn't win many battles on paper but offered a satisfying driving experience for V8 enthusiasts. Its 6,500-pound towing capacity was respectable, though it lagged behind some competitors. Fuel economy was a weak point, with EPA estimates of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined. The GX's weight made it roll through corners, but its predictable and controllable handling, along with strong brakes, made it manageable. The Torsen torque-sensing limited-slip differential and standard 4WD system enhanced its off-road capability, making it user-friendly in various conditions.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, was a hybrid minivan with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, producing a total of 245 horsepower. While it wasn't designed for high performance, the Sienna offered a smooth but somewhat sluggish ride, especially when merging on the highway or climbing hills. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) contributed to the smoothness but also to the lack of excitement. Around town, the Sienna was pleasant to drive, with light and accurate steering and excellent visibility. The brakes could be a bit grabby, but overall, it was a comfortable and practical vehicle for everyday use. For those seeking more driving pleasure, other minivans like the Honda Odyssey or Kia Carnival might be better options.

The 2023 Lexus GX offered plenty of cubby space for small items, with a deep center console bin, a handy space ahead of the shifter, and conveniently placed cupholders. However, it lacked modern USB-C ports, sticking with older USB-A ports. The decision to use hard buttons instead of haptic-touch interfaces was a blessing for those who preferred physical controls. The second row was comfortable, with captain's chairs and good legroom, but the third row was too tight for regular use. The side-hinged trunk door was not power-operated and required some effort to open. Cargo space was limited, with only 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with both rows folded.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior space and functionality. The lower storage pass-through in the front was perfect for bulkier items, and there were plenty of cupholders and storage options throughout the cabin. The second-row captain's chairs could slide fore and aft 25 inches, providing up to 40 inches of legroom. However, the slide function was a bit complicated, and the seats couldn't be removed, limiting maximum cargo space. The third row was accessible and offered ample legroom when the second row was moved forward. The rear liftgate could be activated with a kick motion, revealing 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 75 cubes with the third row stowed and 101 cubes with the second row folded.

The 2023 Lexus GX's infotainment system, revamped in 2022, already felt dated. The 10.3-inch touchscreen was an improvement, with integrations like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. However, the graphics and responsiveness lagged behind newer Lexus models. The inclusion of a CD player highlighted the outdated tech. The GX's strength lay in its off-road capabilities, with a real 4WD system, downhill assist, hill-start assist, traction control, and stability control. The Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) and the Off-Road Package further enhanced its off-road performance.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna also featured older infotainment technology, with a nine-inch touchscreen and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the system included physical buttons for common menus, the backup camera's grainy view was disappointing. The Sienna offered a standard Wi-Fi hotspot, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an optional 12-speaker JBL stereo system. The rear-camera mirror and in-dash navigation were available, but the standard backup camera's poor resolution was a letdown. The Sienna had plenty of USB ports and a 1500-watt inverter with a 120-volt outlet, but the outlets required activation via a button near the driver's seat.

The 2023 Lexus GX had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it was originally engineered for the 2010 model year, meaning it lacked some modern structural safety improvements. However, it came equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, and automatic high beams. While it missed some top-end features, its safety tech was relatively up-to-date.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna came standard with the Toyota Safety Sense suite, including lane departure alert, automatic emergency braking, road sign recognition, full-speed adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. The adaptive cruise control worked well, but the lane-keeping assist caused some side-to-side movement. The Sienna had plenty of airbags, including side curtain airbags for all three rows, and reminders for rear passengers' seat belts and to check the rear seats for cargo or people. The NHTSA rated the Sienna with four out of five stars for frontal crash and rollover protection and five out of five stars for side crash protection. The IIHS gave it top scores in crashworthiness and seat belt and child restraint systems, though it rated the front crash prevention as "Average."