2023 Toyota Sienna vs 2023 Toyota 4Runner

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner, especially in its 40th Anniversary Special Edition (40 ASE) trim, was a nod to the retro designs of the past. Building upon the SR5 Premium trim, the 40 ASE added a premium of $4,505, including a standard four-wheel-drive system costing $1,875, and the remaining $2,630 going towards retro body stripes, a heritage grille, bronze 17-inch wheels, and various bronze badges and stitching. This model was available in only three colors: black, white, or red, with a black artificial leather interior.

The 4Runner lineup spanned several trims from the base SR5 to the rugged TRD Pro, with prices ranging from $39,555 to $54,020. The 40 ASE model tested came in at an MSRP of $48,455 with no additional options. The design evoked a strong California vibe with its groovy stripes and bronze wheels, making it feel like a vehicle that should carry a surfboard. Its appearance harkened back to truck-based SUVs of the 1970s, combined with a solid interior filled with quality materials and idiot-proof controls perfect for glove-wearing drivers.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna aimed to shed the typical minivan aesthetic. To achieve this, the front-end design mimicked a Japanese bullet train, and higher trims featured 20-inch wheels. The Sienna came in various trim levels, from the base LE to the luxurious Platinum, including a new 25th Anniversary Special Edition positioned just below the Limited trim.

Most shoppers found value starting from the XLE trim, which offered useful features like LED fog lights, power-sliding doors, and a power liftgate. The interior of the Platinum trim test model boasted beautiful brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents. Despite its minivan roots, the Sienna provided a blend of style and practicality, with seating for seven or eight, depending on the chosen trim.

Under the hood, every 2023 Toyota 4Runner carried a 4.0-liter V6 engine delivering 270 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 278 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. Depending on the configuration, power could be directed to the rear wheels or an upgraded four-wheel-drive system. With a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, the 4Runner promised solid performance.

The 4Runner offered a minimum of nine inches of ground clearance, Hill-Start Assist Control, and additional off-roading features in specific trims. These included locking differentials, Crawl Control, and Multi-Terrain Select. Off-road enthusiasts had a range of options to choose from, such as the TRD Sport and Limited with enhanced on-road handling, or the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims designed for rugged terrain.

Overall fuel efficiency was rated at 17 mpg combined, with the 40 ASE achieving an average of 16.9 mpg during testing. The 4Runner handled muddy and slippery conditions well, although it showed its age with heavy steering, slow acceleration, and a clunky braking response, making it more suitable for off-road adventures than daily urban driving.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna, having made a significant shift in 2020, came exclusively with a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with multiple electric motors. This setup produced a total of 245 horsepower. The Sienna's CVT, while not the quietest, offered sufficient performance for city and highway driving, although it lagged behind competitors like the Honda Odyssey in acceleration.

The hybrid system featured drive modes such as EV, Eco, and Sport, but the Sienna was best left in Normal mode for a balanced performance. The light steering contributed to its nimble handling in cities, making it unexpectedly fun to drive for a minivan.

One of the biggest draws of the 2023 Toyota 4Runner was its versatile rear window, which powered down into the tailgate, enhancing airflow when paired with the sunroof and automatic windows. While entry and exit could be challenging for shorter individuals, the seats inside were comfortable. The 40 ASE trim featured SofTex artificial leather with heated front seats, though higher trims offered genuine leather with heating and ventilation.

Second-row passengers enjoyed a spacious cabin with ample legroom, air conditioning vents, and USB ports. While a third-row option existed, it was cramped and reduced cargo space, limiting practical usage. Without the third-row seats, the 4Runner provided a significant 46.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to a generous 89.7 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded. However, opting for the third-row seats reduced the cargo area to a mere 9 cubic feet.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in terms of interior storage. The minivan was filled with cubbies, shelves, and bins, including a large open cubby below the center console and a long shelf on the dash. Higher trims also featured a wireless charging pad. The Sienna, at over 200 inches long, made excellent use of its space, offering 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a total of 101 cubic feet.

Unlike competitors, the Sienna's second-row seats couldn't be removed or folded into the floor, limiting maximum cargo space. However, the middle-row captain's chairs were highly adjustable for comfort and practicality, sliding forward to provide genuine legroom for third-row occupants.

Technological offerings in the 2023 Toyota 4Runner were relatively outdated but practical. The largest available infotainment display was an 8-inch touchscreen, integrated with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Physical knobs and buttons, favored by many, were easy to use even with gloves. Optional upgrades included a navigation system and a JBL premium sound system, though both standard and premium audio systems required manual adjustments for optimum sound quality.

Voice recognition in the 40 ASE performed admirably, handling usual commands with ease, although it couldn't find reggae music or adjust climate controls due to its manual system. Despite its outdated graphics, the infotainment system displayed multiple functions on the home screen, providing practical usability.

Similar to the 4Runner, the 2023 Toyota Sienna continued with an older infotainment interface, offering SiriusXM, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and navigation. The 9-inch touchscreen felt functional, and some physical buttons improved safety by reducing distraction. However, the system had quirks, like requiring wired connections for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and lacking dedicated access points for certain features. Despite its dated design, the Sienna’s system was reliable and the optional JBL audio system performed well.

Safety was a strong suit for both the 2023 Toyota 4Runner and Sienna. The 2023 4Runner included Toyota Safety Sense with features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and a rear-seat reminder. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert became standard in 2023.

While adaptive cruise control provided smooth braking, it was sluggish in resuming speed. The lane-departure warning was also somewhat intrusive. The 4Runner received mixed crash-test ratings, with a four-star overall rating from NHTSA but only three stars for front passenger protection and rollover resistance. IIHS ratings were limited but indicated marginal protection in small overlap frontal impacts.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled with standard advanced driver assistance systems, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with steering assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. It earned a five-star rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS for the 2022 model, making it a top contender in safety.