2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2023 Toyota Sienna

For plenty of shoppers, the minivan aesthetic was a hard sell. The sliding doors and slab-sided designs of minivans might have recalled memories from childhood, with Cheerio crumbs in the carpets and a parent up front trying to decipher a road atlas. The 1990s' arrival of body-on-frame SUVs marked the beginning of the minivan's social status decline. However, large SUVs eventually gave way to car-based crossovers, which improved aerodynamics, dropped truck-like designs, and essentially turned into high-riding minivans without the sliding doors. The Toyota Sienna aimed to change the perception of minivans being unstylish by enhancing cargo capacity, providing easy access, and incorporating creative interior features.

Toyota invested considerable effort to shed the Sienna's minivan image. The front-end styling bore a resemblance to a Japanese bullet train, and some trims featured 20-inch wheels, adding to a more robust appearance. The Sienna offered multiple trims such as the LE, XLE, sporty XSE, upper-class Limited, and top-shelf Platinum, along with a new 25th Anniversary Special Edition trim in 2023.

The XLE trim level was a popular choice among value-conscious shoppers, adding standard LED fog lights, power-sliding doors, and a power liftgate. Inside, the Sienna aimed to impress with high-quality brown leather upholstery and beautiful wood-grain accents on the center console in the Platinum trim model.

On the contrary, the decision by Ford to apply Mustang styling cues to a five-door crossover SUV initially shocked enthusiasts, especially since it was also an electric car. However, this move proved to be smart, as the Mustang Mach-E gained popularity tied to the legendary pony car's heritage. Despite its long, narrow, and tall dimensions wearing Mustang emblems, the Mach-E had scowling headlights, bold rear fender haunches, and tri-bar taillights.

Since its debut in 2021, Ford built over 150,000 Mustang Mach-Es for customers worldwide. The U.S. market offered Select, Premium, California Route 1, and GT trim levels, ranging from $45,995 to $63,995, plus a destination charge of $1,800. Our test vehicle arrived in GT spec, with an MSRP of $66,590, including a destination charge.

The Mustang Mach-E GT stood out with revised bumpers, unique 20-inch wheels, and a dark front panel resembling a traditional grille, exuding a more aggressive look. Inside, the GT version integrated luxurious elements such as artificial leather and synthetic suede seats decorated with copper stitching and piping, and a high-end ambiance enhanced by metallic and gloss-black trims paired with two rectangular display screens.

When Toyota revealed the fourth-generation Toyota Sienna in 2020, they transitioned exclusively to a hybrid powertrain for the model. The Sienna's powertrain combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two front-mounted electric motors, and an additional rear-mounted electric motor for AWD trims, resulting in a net system horsepower of 245. Unlike some competitors, the Sienna's power and acceleration were less impressive due to its size and weight, and the continuously variable transmission (CVT) struggled with rev bands, resulting in a less appealing sound.

Despite lacking robust acceleration, the Sienna's chassis and steering compensated with impressive nimbleness. The minivan was surprisingly easy to maneuver, particularly in urban settings, and offered a tidy turning radius uncommon for vehicles of its size. Toyota also provided several drive modes, though we found the normal mode most practical, as Eco and EV modes had limitations, and Sport mode lacked significant impact.

In comparison, the Ford Mustang Mach-E offered configurations including standard-range and extended-range battery packs, as well as single-motor RWD and dual-motor AWD electric systems. The power and efficiency varied, ranging from 266 to 480 horsepower, 317 to 634 lb-ft of torque, and driving ranges from 224 to 312 miles.

The Mach-E GT came equipped with an extended-range battery and AWD layout, pushing 480 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque, achieving 60 mph in 3.8 seconds. The GT, particularly, featured driving modes such as Whisper, Engage, and Unbridled, exclusive Unbridled Extend mode for the racetrack, and one-pedal driving functionality. Though fast, the Mach-E GT's steering in Engage mode didn't provide the highly responsive feel expected from a performance vehicle. Still, the overall driving dynamics were remarkable for a crossover SUV, even if its firm suspension offered a less satisfying ride quality.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna was a minivan that epitomized smart interior design with a plethora of storage options. The center console featured a significant open cubby for large bags or purses and a long shelf on the dashboard perfect for phones and other knick-knacks. Higher trims even came with a wireless charging pad. Beyond the thoughtfully crafted storage elements, the Sienna also boasted ample cupholders for all passengers.

The Sienna's substantial 200-inch length and 120.5-inch wheelbase translated into impressive interior space. The cargo area offered 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded, and a total of 101 cubic feet—albeit slightly less than competitors like the Honda Odyssey due to the non-removable middle-row seats. However, the Sienna’s middle row had other merits, including extendable ottomans and ample legroom for third-row passengers—features hard to find in three-row crossovers.

Meanwhile, the Ford Mustang Mach-E, though an electrically powered crossover, managed to balance function and form impressively. With seating for up to five people, it offered 34.1 cubic feet of cargo space, including a 4.7-cubic-foot front trunk (frunk). The front seats in the Mustang Mach-E GT were power-adjustable, heated, and upholstered with black ActiveX artificial leather, providing comfort and support. The Performance Edition further improved seating with unique upholstery patterns.

The Mustang Mach-E’s center console incorporated open and covered storage areas, offering a practical space for personal items. Unlike its gas-fueled namesake, the Mach-E comfortably accommodated rear-seat passengers with supportive seats, wide-opening doors, and a spacious panoramic glass roof. The cargo space behind the rear seat was 29.7 cubic feet and expanded to 59.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down, showcasing versatility in carrying capacity comparable to other SUVs.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna lagged in terms of cutting-edge infotainment technology. It housed an older infotainment interface, supporting core features like SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Additionally, it included an optional navigation system and seven USB ports. Despite its functionality, the system required wired connections for smartphone integration and had a somewhat dated and clunky user experience.

On the contrary, the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E excelled in technology with its Sync 4A infotainment platform paired with a 15.5-inch touchscreen dominating the dashboard. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, FordPass Connect, Wi-Fi hotspot, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, navigation, and wireless smartphone charging. Sync 4A also impressed with its habit-learning abilities, predictive suggestions, and natural voice recognition. The touchscreen managed a comprehensive array of features, from climate control to energy usage data.

The Mach-E’s premium Bang & Olufsen sound system, 10.2-inch digital instrumentation, and Phone As A Key technology further enhanced the driving experience. Despite the Mach-E's modern tech, some functionality gaps like the absence of a tuning knob and a quick-access driving mode button were notable.

Safety in the 2023 Toyota Sienna included a robust set of standard features. Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with steering assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control came standard. This impressive array of features earned the 2023 Sienna a 5-star crash test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS for the mechanically identical 2022 model.

Ford's Mustang Mach-E incorporated Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 standard across all models, with enhancements such as BlueCruise 1.2 for hands-free highway driving. BlueCruise 1.2 included new lane-change functionality, predictive speed assist, and improved lane positioning. However, using this system highlighted some challenges without a head-up display for status checks and notifications.

The Mustang Mach-E received high marks from the IIHS and was a Top Safety Pick in 2022. The NHTSA awarded it top five-star ratings for side-impact protection and rollover resistance, though frontal-impact results were pending.