2023 Toyota Sienna vs 2024 Dodge Hornet

For many shoppers, the minivan aesthetic was a hard sell when it came to the 2023 Toyota Sienna. Traditional features like sliding doors and slab-sided designs often evoked memories from childhood, of family trips with Cheerios crumbs in the carpet and parents squinting at road atlases. Though the 1990s ushered in the era of the SUV, many of those bulky designs gave way to more aerodynamic, car-based crossovers—essentially high-riding minivans without the sliding doors. Toyota worked to shed the minivan stigma by making the Sienna look more like a sleek vehicle with influences from Japanese bullet trains and 20-inch wheels on select trim levels like the XSE and Platinum. The number of trim levels, including the LE, XLE, sporty XSE, luxurious Limited, top-tier Platinum, and the 25th Anniversary Special Edition, allowed for a broad spectrum of customization to suit different tastes.

The 2024 Dodge Hornet, while not a traditional muscle car like the Charger or Challenger, still bore the brand’s unmistakable styling. With a bold, muscular front end and integrated heat extractors on the hood, the Hornet was every bit the tough-looking crossover. The grille featured multiple openings and a centrally-placed Rhombi logo, a fresh touch for Dodge. At the rear, a full-width tail lamp with an illuminated Rhombi logo and large tailpipes further emphasized its sporty design. Available in four trims—GT, GT Plus, R/T, and R/T Plus—the Hornet’s aggressive stance was enhanced by optional packages like the Blacktop Package, which added black wheels and trim. Built alongside the Alfa Romeo Tonale, the Hornet shared visual cues with its Italian sibling but maintained its distinctive Dodge flair.

When Toyota revealed the fourth-generation Toyota Sienna in 2020, it committed wholly to hybrid technology, dropping the traditional gasoline engine. The hybrid powertrain combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two front-mounted electric motors, along with a third rear-mounted motor for the AWD models, generating a total of 245 horsepower. Although these figures were less impressive than those of some competitors, the Sienna's hybrid system aimed for efficiency rather than raw power. While its CVT sometimes struggled to deliver smooth acceleration, and the overall power felt insufficient, the Sienna’s chassis and steering provided a surprisingly nimble and enjoyable driving experience. Toyota added multiple driving modes—EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport—but largely, the EV mode was impractical and the Sport mode didn't effectively disguise the Sienna’s minivan nature.

The 2024 Dodge Hornet offered distinct powertrain options across its trim levels. The GT models featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. However, premium fuel was necessary for optimal performance. Our review vehicle, the R/T Plus, was a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) with a 1.3-liter turbocharged engine, a 15.5-kWh battery, and two electric motors. This configuration delivered 288 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, distributed through a six-speed automatic transmission and an electric AWD system. Despite the extra weight from the battery, the R/T provided quick acceleration and the unique “Powershot” feature, offering an additional 30 horsepower for short bursts. Suspension settings struck a balance between comfort and control, resulting in a respectable, sporty drive for a crossover.

Minivans excel at providing storage space, and the 2023 Toyota Sienna was no exception. The interior featured clever storage solutions, including a spacious open cubby below the center console and a long shelf extending across the dashboard. The cabin provided numerous cupholders and a large center-console bin. Measuring over 200 inches in length with a 120.5-inch wheelbase, the Sienna's size translated into substantial interior room. With 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row and a max of 101 cubic feet with seats folded, it was generously spacious. However, the middle-row seats couldn't be removed, limiting maximum cargo space compared to competitors like the Honda Odyssey and Chrysler Pacifica. Our test Sienna's second-row captain’s chairs offered plenty of adjustment, allowing even third-row passengers to sit comfortably.

The 2024 Dodge Hornet catered primarily to front-seat occupants. In the front, headroom and visibility were good, but the rear felt cramped due to a high beltline and dark interior. Despite the seemingly sufficient 38 inches of legroom and headroom on paper, the rear seats felt confined. The R/T’s PHEV battery also reduced cargo capacity, offering 22.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats compared to the GT’s 27 cubic feet. Folding the rear seats expanded cargo volume to 50.5 cubic feet in the R/T and 54.7 cubic feet in the GT—figures that fell short of competitors like the Hyundai Tucson PHEV.

While Toyota had innovative technology in models like the Tundra and Sequoia, the 2023 Sienna featured the brand’s older infotainment interface. It included essential functions such as SiriusXM, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, and seven USB ports. Though reliable, the system could feel outdated and occasionally clunky, particularly with wired connections for smartphone integration. The 9-inch touchscreen functioned adequately but didn’t impress visually.

The 2024 Dodge Hornet, on the other hand, boasted advanced tech with a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 10.25-inch widescreen infotainment system operating on UConnect 5. Customizable and user-friendly, UConnect 5 supported wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Our test vehicle included a premium Harman Kardon audio system and wireless charging, though it lacked a designated space for wired charging. Despite occasional sluggish responses, the infotainment system proved largely reliable and modern.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna stood out with its extensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. Such comprehensive ADAS made it a prime choice for families. It scored 5 stars from the NHTSA and earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS for the 2022 model.

While the 2024 Dodge Hornet had yet to be rated by the NHTSA or IIHS, it came equipped with a robust array of ADAS as standard. These included automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. Our test vehicle’s Tech Pack added level 2 autonomous driving features, contributing to a safe and controlled driving environment.