2024 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2023 Toyota Sienna

The 2023 Toyota Sienna was a minivan that defied traditional expectations. While minivans often conjured images of family road trips and utilitarian design, the Sienna aimed to break that mold with its sleek styling reminiscent of a Japanese bullet train. Toyota offered a variety of trims, from the base LE to the luxurious Platinum, including a special 25th Anniversary Edition. The XLE trim was particularly appealing to value-conscious buyers, featuring power-sliding doors and a power liftgate. Inside, the Sienna impressed with high-quality materials, such as the brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents in the Platinum trim. It accommodated seven or eight passengers, with the eight-seater option available in the LE and XLE trims, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse, on the other hand, was available in four main trims: LS, LT, Z71, and RS. The Z71 was a new addition, designed for moderate off-roading. Chevrolet emphasized that the Z71 was not intended for extreme off-road adventures but could handle rugged terrain. The Traverse's pricing was competitive, with the LS starting at $38,995 and the RS reaching $55,595. The Z71 model, priced at $47,795, featured gloss black-painted 18-inch alloy wheels and Iridescent Pearl Tricoat paint. Inside, the Traverse offered a Jet Black interior with "Torch Red" accents, and while synthetic leather was optional, the standard cloth seats were comfortable. The Traverse's design and features made it a strong contender in the midsize SUV segment.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna was powered by a hybrid system, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two front-mounted electric motors and an additional rear-mounted motor for AWD trims. This setup delivered 245 net system horsepower, which was less than some competitors. The Sienna's CVT struggled with acceleration, but its chassis and steering were commendable. It was nimble for a minivan, with a light steering feel that made city driving easy. The Sienna offered multiple drive modes, but Normal mode was the most practical choice, as Eco mode dampened throttle response, and EV mode was largely ineffective.

In contrast, the 2024 Chevrolet Traverse replaced its previous 310-horsepower V6 with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque. This new engine provided more power and torque than the V6. AWD was optional on all trims, with the Z71 featuring a more advanced system. The Traverse's acceleration and passing power were satisfactory, and its exhaust note added a pleasant growl. The steering was adequate, though the vehicle's length was noticeable. The ride quality was excellent, even with the Z71's all-terrain tires and extra ground clearance. The brakes were progressive, and the stop-and-start feature was seamless. Fuel economy estimates ranged from 18 mpg city to 26 mpg highway for the FWD Limited trim.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior storage, with numerous cubbies, shelves, and bins. It offered ample space for bags and featured a long shelf on the dashboard. The Sienna's cargo capacity was impressive, with 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 101 cubic feet with seats folded. However, the middle row couldn't be removed or folded into the floor. The second-row captain's chairs were functional, with extending ottomans and adjustable tracks, providing genuine legroom for third-row passengers.

The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse offered seating for eight in the base LS model, while the LT, Z71, and RS featured captain's chairs. The Smart Slide second-row seats were easy to use, and the power-folding third row was available on lower trims and standard on the RS. Cargo volume was 22.9 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 96 cubic feet with seats folded. The Traverse had numerous storage nooks, including a hidden area under the center console. Visibility was generally good, though the third row felt slightly enclosed. The Z71's driver's seat was power-operated, but the front passenger seat had manual controls.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna's technology was reliable but dated. It featured an older infotainment interface with SiriusXM, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, though both required wired connections. The 9-inch touchscreen was adequate, and the 12-speaker JBL audio system sounded good. However, the interface felt clunky, and accessing Android Auto required navigating through menus.

The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse boasted a significant upgrade with a 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen and an 11-inch digital instrument display. The system ran on Google-based software, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The wireless charging pad was effective, and physical controls for volume and HVAC functions were appreciated. However, the headlight controls were buried in the infotainment system. The Traverse also introduced Super Cruise, a hands-free driving aid, which expanded its functionality to single-lane roads.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna impressed with its standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. It received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS for the 2022 model.

The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse had not yet been tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it offered a comprehensive suite of driver aids, such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Traverse also featured side-exit assist, rear pedestrian alert, and a surround-view parking camera.