2023 Subaru Outback vs 2024 Toyota Sienna

The 2023 Subaru Outback received a facelift that gave it a more aggressive appearance. It featured redesigned LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper with dark gray vertical cladding, simulating large air intakes. The addition of a jutting simulated skid plate, fog lights in oversized housings, and asymmetrical wheel arch trim reminiscent of the Wilderness model contributed to its bold look. The Onyx Edition, with black wheels and trim, complemented the audacious cladding, making it a popular choice for those seeking a more cohesive design.

The Outback's interior, especially in the Touring trim, was praised for its upscale feel. Java Brown leather contrasted beautifully with the black interior, enhanced by light gray stitching. Despite the use of hard plastic in some areas, the materials didn't feel cheap. The only downside was the large infotainment screen and gloss black trim, which easily collected dust and smudges.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna stood out with its distinctive design, available in trims like LE, XLE, XSE, Woodland Edition, Limited, and Platinum. It featured sleek front and rear fascias and came in vibrant colors like deep blue, red, or green. The XSE trim, with its sporty black metallic mesh grille and 20-inch dark wheels, maintained the "swagger wagon" vibe. The Woodland Edition offered a more off-road-ready look with roof rails, a tow hitch, and increased ground clearance.

Inside, the Sienna provided a spacious and functional environment. The XSE trim with the Premium package offered leather-trimmed heated and cooled front seats and captain’s chairs in the second row. The interior design emphasized horizontal lines for a sense of spaciousness, and the fixed center console was practical with easy-to-reach cup holders and shifter. While not luxurious, the Sienna's interior was well-suited for family use, with features like a built-in vacuum cleaner in upper trims.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured horizontally opposed engines, known for their flat design and characteristic grumble. The standard engine produced 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, but it felt underpowered, especially when passing or climbing. The turbocharged XT models offered 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, providing better performance but at a higher cost. The Outback's CVT mimicked an eight-speed automatic, and all models came with standard AWD and an X-Mode traction system for off-road capability. Despite its power shortcomings, the Outback excelled in handling and ride quality.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna, a hybrid minivan, combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric motors, producing 245 horsepower. While not designed for performance, the Sienna offered a smooth ride, though it felt sluggish during acceleration. The CVT contributed to a less engaging driving experience, but the minivan was pleasant for city driving. The Sienna's steering was light and accurate, and visibility was excellent. However, those seeking more power might consider alternatives like the Honda Odyssey or Kia Carnival.

The 2023 Subaru Outback prioritized utility with features like a robust roof rack and flat door sills. The Touring trim offered a comfortable interior with power-adjustable heated and ventilated seats wrapped in premium Nappa leather. The Outback provided ample legroom and cargo space, with 32.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 75.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The vehicle's design made entry and exit easy, and the roof rack was ready for accessories.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior space and functionality. It featured a lower storage pass-through, multiple cupholders, and a shelf with a wireless charging pad. The second-row captain’s chairs offered up to 40 inches of legroom and included an ottoman in upper trims. The third row was accessible and provided ample legroom. The Sienna's cargo space was generous, with 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 101 cubic feet with seats folded. Tri-zone climate control and a power liftgate added to its convenience.

The 2023 Subaru Outback came with a Starlink 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from the Premium trim onward. The system included physical controls for essential functions, but the voice recognition was lacking. Additional features included a digital rearview mirror and a front-view camera, though a surround-view camera was unavailable.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna featured a nine-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the system was older, it included physical buttons for common menus. The backup camera's quality was subpar, but the Sienna offered a Wi-Fi hotspot, SiriusXM, and an optional JBL stereo system. USB ports were plentiful, and a 1500-watt inverter was available for charging devices.

The 2023 Subaru Outback was equipped with EyeSight cameras and an electronic brake booster, earning top safety marks from the IIHS. Standard features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims offered additional safety technologies like Automatic Emergency Steering and a Wide-Angle Mono Camera for better pedestrian detection.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna came with Toyota Safety Sense, including lane departure alert, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna received a four-star rating from the NHTSA for frontal crash protection and five stars for side crash protection. The IIHS rated it "Good" in crashworthiness but "Average" in front crash prevention.