2023 Toyota 4Runner vs 2024 Toyota Sienna

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition, or 40 ASE, was based on the SR5 Premium trim level and added $4,505 to its price. This included a standard four-wheel-drive system, retro body stripes, a heritage grille design, bronze 17-inch wheels, and various bronze badges and stitching. The 40 ASE was available only in black, white, or red paint with a black artificial leather interior. The 4Runner lineup included several trims, with prices ranging from $39,555 to $54,020, plus a $1,335 destination charge. The 40 ASE test vehicle had no options and an MSRP of $48,455. The 4Runner's design evoked a strong SoCal vibe with its retro stripes and bronze wheels, reminiscent of the 1970s. Its truck-based SUV stance and purposeful interior, despite the abundance of plastic, provided a solid and quality feel. The controls were easy to locate and use, even with gloves on.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna was available in LE, XLE, XSE, Woodland Edition, Limited, and Platinum trims, each offering a distinctive look. The Sienna featured sleek front and rear fascias and was available in colors like deep blue, red, or green. LED lighting was standard, with upper trims getting Bi-LED projector headlamps. The XSE trim, considered sporty, had a black metallic mesh front grille, black heated side mirrors, and 20-inch dark wheels. The Woodland Edition, available in exclusive Cement or Midnight Black Metallic colors, was designed for off-road readiness with roof rails, a tow hitch, and slightly increased ground clearance. The Sienna's interior offered cloth seats, three-zone climate control, and room for eight, with the XSE trim adding leather-trimmed heated and cooled front seats and a leather-trimmed power steering wheel with ADAS controls. The horizontal design lines added a feeling of spaciousness, and upper trims included a built-in vacuum cleaner.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 278 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. A five-speed automatic transmission sent power to the rear wheels, with an optional 4WD system. The 4Runner had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and an EPA fuel economy rating of 17 mpg in combined driving, with an observed average of 16.9 mpg. The 4Runner offered two 4WD systems: a part-time 4WD system and a full-time 4WD system available on the Limited trim. It had a minimum ground clearance of nine inches and included Hill-Start Assist Control, Downhill Assist Control, and Active Traction Control. Off-roading technologies included locking center and rear differentials, Crawl Control, and Multi-Terrain Select. The TRD Sport and Limited trims had a suspension designed for on-road performance, while the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims focused on off-road capabilities. The 4Runner excelled in off-roading but had flaws as a daily driver, with leisurely acceleration, heavy and slow steering, and a bumpy ride on rough roads.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna was a hybrid minivan with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, producing a total of 245 horsepower. AWD models had an additional electric motor for the rear wheels. The Sienna's performance was not its strong suit, with sluggish acceleration and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that felt slow, especially when merging on the highway or climbing hills. The CVT could also be noisy. However, the Sienna provided a mostly pleasant driving experience around town, with smooth acceleration in Normal or Eco mode and an EV mode for low-speed areas. The brakes could be grabby, but the steering was light and accurate, and visibility was excellent. For those seeking more driving pleasure, other minivans like the Honda Odyssey, Kia Carnival, or Chrysler Pacifica offered stronger V6 engines.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner's power-down rear window in the tailgate, combined with the sunroof and automatic windows, provided excellent flow-through ventilation. Climbing into the 4Runner required effort for shorter individuals, but the seats were comfortable. The 40 ASE trim featured SofTex artificial leather and heated front seats. The 4Runner had numerous storage locations, though many lacked rubber liners, causing items to slide and rattle. The second-row seating area was spacious, with good legroom, headroom, air conditioning vents, and USB charging ports. The optional third-row seat was uncomfortable and reduced cargo space. The cargo area included storage cubbies, trays, and a 120-volt AC power outlet, with an optional sliding floor for easier loading. Without the third-row seat, the 4Runner offered 46.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and up to 89.7 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior space and functionality. The front storage pass-through could fit bulkier items, and there were four cupholders and additional holders in the front doors. A shelf above the glovebox housed the wireless charging pad. The powered side doors could be closed by the second-row passengers using the interior handle or a button on the B-pillar. The second-row captain's chairs could slide fore and aft 25 inches, providing up to 40 inches of legroom. Upper trims included an ottoman for added comfort. However, the slide function was complicated, and the seats couldn't be removed, limiting maximum cargo space. The third row was accessible for adults and offered 39 inches of legroom when the second row was pushed forward. The Sienna had tri-zone climate control, with an additional zone for the front passenger in the XSE trim. The rear liftgate revealed 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 75 cubic feet with the third row stowed and 101 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured traditional analog gauges with a narrow digital driver information center and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Several connected services plans were available, with complimentary trial subscriptions. The 4Runner could be transformed into a Wi-Fi hotspot. Upgrades included a navigation system, additional connected services, and a JBL premium sound system. The infotainment system's home screen displayed multiple functions simultaneously, and the voice recognition performed well, though it couldn't find reggae music or adjust the cabin temperature.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna retained Toyota's older infotainment technology, featuring a nine-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system included physical buttons for common menus like audio, navigation, phone, and home page. The backup camera's view was grainy, and the analog gauges had a 7-inch digital display in the middle. The Sienna offered a standard Wi-Fi hotspot, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an optional 12-speaker JBL stereo system. An available rear-camera mirror streamed a wide-angle video feed to the center rear-view mirror. The Sienna had plenty of USB ports and a 1500-watt inverter with a 120-volt outlet for the second row and rear cargo area. The outlets needed to be activated using a button near the driver's seat. Optional features included an 11.6-inch rear-seat entertainment system and a 10-inch color head-up display.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner came with Toyota Safety Sense, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights, and a rear-seat reminder system. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all trims. The adaptive cruise control provided smooth braking, but the lane-departure warning could be irritating. The 4Runner received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with three-star ratings for front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave it a Marginal rating for driver protection in the small overlap frontal-impact test.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna included the Toyota Safety Sense suite, with lane departure alert, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, 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 in stop-and-go traffic, but the lane-keeping assist caused some side-to-side movement. The Sienna had side curtain airbags for all three rows, a rear seat belt reminder, and a reminder to check the rear seats for cargo or passengers. The NHTSA rated the Sienna with four stars for frontal crash and rollover protection and five stars for side crash protection. The IIHS gave it a top score of "Good" in crashworthiness and seat belt and child restraint systems, but an "Average" rating for front crash prevention.