2023 Toyota RAV4 vs 2024 Toyota Sienna

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 was available in six trim levels, ranging from the budget-friendly RAV4 LE to the more luxurious RAV4 Limited, with off-road-oriented trims like the Adventure and TRD Off-Road in between. The Adventure trim, which we tested, featured a more aggressive grille design, blacked-out wheels, and additional black cladding around the wheel arches. However, despite its rugged appearance, it was more about style than substance. Inside, the Adventure trim added orange accents, including a stripe down the middle of the seats and contrast stitching, giving the interior a sporty feel. The frameless rearview mirror added a touch of premium to an otherwise basic interior.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Sienna was offered in six trims: LE, XLE, XSE, Woodland Edition, Limited, and Platinum. The Sienna maintained its "swagger wagon" vibe with sleek front and rear fascias and vibrant color options like deep blue, red, and green. The XSE trim, which we tested, featured a black metallic mesh front grille, black heated side mirrors, and 20-inch dark wheels, enhancing its sporty look. The Woodland Edition was designed for a bit more off-road capability, with roof rails, a tow hitch, and slightly increased ground clearance. Inside, the Sienna offered a spacious and functional layout, with features like a lower storage pass-through, multiple cupholders, and a shelf above the glovebox for smaller items.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, but all-wheel drive was available, adding a Snow Mode for better traction. The Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims came with all-wheel drive by default. While the RAV4's engine provided adequate power, it was not particularly exciting, and the noise level was noticeable. The Adventure trim featured 19-inch wheels with all-season tires and a standard suspension setup, while the TRD Off-Road trim had 18-inch wheels with Falken All-Terrain tires and a TRD-tuned suspension for better off-road performance.

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 combined 245 horsepower. All-wheel drive models added a third electric motor for the rear wheels. Despite the sport-tuned suspension and Sport mode in our XSE tester, the Sienna felt sluggish, especially when merging onto highways or climbing hills. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) contributed to the lackluster acceleration and could get loud. However, the Sienna offered a smooth and pleasant driving experience around town, with light and accurate steering and excellent visibility. The brakes were a bit grabby, but overall, the Sienna was a comfortable and practical minivan.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 was designed to seat five passengers. With the moonroof, it offered 37.7 inches of headroom in the front and 39.5 inches in the rear, providing more headroom for rear passengers than competitors like the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester. Legroom measured 41 inches in the front and 37.8 inches in the rear, comparable to the CR-V but less than the Forester. The RAV4 featured convenient storage options, including a shelf above the glovebox and generous door pockets. Cargo space was 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior space and functionality. The front featured a lower storage pass-through for bulkier items, multiple cupholders, and a shelf above the glovebox with an available wireless charging pad. The second-row captain's chairs could slide 25 inches, providing up to 40 inches of legroom, and upper trims included an ottoman for added comfort. However, the seats could not be removed, limiting maximum cargo space. The third row offered 39 inches of legroom when the second row was pushed forward, and the seats could tilt for added comfort. The Sienna provided 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 75 cubic feet with the third row stowed and 101 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 received a new infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen as standard and a 10.5-inch touchscreen for Limited and TRD Off-Road trims. The system supported over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Our Adventure tester featured the upgraded multimedia system with a 10.5-inch screen and an 11-speaker JBL Premium audio system. A 7-inch driver-information display was standard, with a 12.3-inch version available on the Limited trim.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna, however, was equipped with Toyota's older infotainment technology, featuring a nine-inch touchscreen with 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 had analog gauges with a 7-inch digital display in the middle, providing information like speed and fuel economy. Standard features included a Wi-Fi hotspot, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an optional 12-speaker JBL stereo system. The Sienna also offered a rear-camera mirror and an 11.6-inch rear-seat entertainment system, though these were not included in our tester.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam LED headlights, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. Higher-end driver-assistance features like adaptive cruise control were also standard. The RAV4 earned a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2024 Toyota Sienna also featured a robust suite of standard safety features, including 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 standard as well. The Sienna received four out of five stars for frontal crash and rollover protection and five out of five stars for side crash protection from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The IIHS rated the Sienna "Good" in crashworthiness and seat belt and child restraint systems, but "Average" in front crash prevention.