2024 Kia Telluride vs 2023 Toyota Sienna

Many shoppers in the past found the traditional minivan design a bit of a hard sell, perhaps because it brought up memories of childhood trips with sliding doors and basic slab-side designs. The arrival of the 1990s body-on-frame SUVs marginalized the minivan’s social status, even though these big SUVs gradually evolved into sleeker, car-based crossovers that were essentially high-riding minivans. Despite these changes, the minivan remained the smart choice for many families due to its larger cargo capacity, easy access, and innovative interior features.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna made a serious effort to rid itself of the outdated minivan style. The front-end styling, reminiscent of a Japanese bullet train, made a bold statement, and the Sienna's available wheel sizes, including 20-inch wheels on the FWD XSE and Platinum trims, added a touch of modernity.

The Sienna offered various trim levels, starting from the base LE and moving up to the XLE, sporty XSE, luxurious Limited, and the top-tier Platinum. The 2023 lineup also included the 25th Anniversary Special Edition trim, positioned just below the Limited in price.

Inside, the Sienna Platinum trim was impressively luxurious with high-quality brown leather upholstery and stunning wood-grain accents on the center console. Toyota offered seating configurations for seven or eight passengers, although opting for eight seats required settling for the LE or XLE trims. Those eight-seaters, benefiting from a middle bench seat, allowed for three-across car seats in the middle row, secured with LATCH anchors.

On the other hand, the 2024 Kia Telluride was available in five core trim levels: LX, S, EX, SX, and SX Prestige. Shoppers could enhance the Telluride with the rugged X-Line treatment for all but the LX and S trims, while the X-Pro package was reserved for the top two trims.

The X-Line package provided the Telluride with AWD, a center locking differential, increased ground clearance, improved approach and departure angles, and unique grille and 20-inch wheel designs. The X-Pro package further enhanced the vehicle with 18-inch matte-black wheels, all-terrain tires, and heavy-duty engine cooling, boosting the maximum towing capacity to 5,500 pounds.

Kia’s attractive design continued to draw buyers even after last year’s styling updates. The Wolf Gray paint looked especially striking, paired with the blacked-out X-Line styling elements. Our test vehicle featured a luxurious black interior with premium Nappa leather seats, although various appealing interior color options—from Mahogany brown to Sage Green—were available depending on the trim level and exterior color. While the interior had some lower plastic portions that detracted from its luxury feel, the SX Prestige trim nearly met luxury SUV standards with its soft leather, artificial suede headliner, 24-inch dual-screen digital display, and metallic accents.

Toyota’s fourth-generation Sienna, revealed in 2020, replaced the traditional gasoline engine with a hybrid powertrain across all models. This setup included a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two front-mounted electric motors and a third rear-mounted electric motor in AWD models. The combined power output was 245 net system horsepower, which appeared less impressive compared to the competition.

The Sienna’s CVT struggled with its ample size and weight, leading to underwhelming acceleration, especially when compared to rivals like the Honda Odyssey. However, the Sienna excelled in chassis and steering feel. Despite its size, it was easy to maneuver in town and provided a smooth cruising experience on highways. The light steering made city driving easier, and the minivan's nimble handling was a pleasant surprise.

Toyota offered several driving modes: EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport. While Normal mode was recommended for most situations, Eco mode tended to extend the simulated gears of the CVT too much, diminishing throttle response. EV mode allowed for intermittent electric-only driving, and Sport mode failed to convincingly shed the Sienna’s minivan persona.

Comparatively, the 2024 Kia Telluride came equipped with a 3.8-liter V6 engine, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, transferred via an eight-speed automatic transmission to either the front or all four wheels. Most Tellurides had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, which increased to 5,500 pounds with the X-Pro package’s enhanced engine cooling.

The AWD Telluride featured a locking center differential, which evenly split power between the front and rear wheels at low speeds. With 8.0 inches of ground clearance, rising to 8.4 inches with the X-Line and X-Pro packages, and self-leveling rear suspension, the Telluride handled various terrains with ease.

Acceleration and passing power weren’t an issue, but fuel efficiency lagged. The AWD version’s EPA rating was 20 mpg combined, though our testing yielded just 17.5 mpg in mixed driving conditions.

Despite the lack of a hybrid powertrain, which would improve fuel economy, the Telluride’s driving experience remained positively refined. It featured brake-induced Torque Vectoring Cornering Control, making it feel athletic in curves. The SUV’s firm ride at low speeds softened at higher velocities, absorbing undulations effectively and providing a smooth highway experience. Off-road, the Telluride proved more capable than expected, handling diverse terrains with competence.

Minivans like the Toyota Sienna excelled in providing abundant storage options, and the 2023 model upheld this tradition. Clever interior storage solutions included a spacious cubby below the center console, an extended dash shelf perfect for phones, and multiple cupholders ensuring everyone had enough space for their drinks.

At over 200 inches in length and built on a 120.5-inch wheelbase, the Sienna maximized its space effectively. Compared to three-row crossovers, it offered a significant amount of cargo space behind the third row, with 33.5 cubic feet available. Folding down the third row increased this to 75.2 cubic feet, with a maximum of 101 cubic feet of cargo space. However, the inability to fully remove or fold the middle-row seats into the floor, unlike competitors such as the Honda Odyssey and Chrysler Pacifica, did limit total cargo capacity.

Meanwhile, the Kia Telluride’s interior offered comfort and thoughtful design, especially in higher trims. Our SX Prestige X-Line test vehicle featured premium Nappa leather, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, and a third row suitable for adult passengers. A dual sunroof panel lightened the interior’s ambiance.

The horizontally oriented controls and standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system were user-friendly, adorned with physical buttons for ease of use. The Telluride’s interior included helpful features like a panoramic sunroof and a hands-free power liftgate. Cargo capacity was generous, offering 21 cubic feet behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 87 cubic feet, making it one of the most spacious SUVs in its segment. Roof rails on the X-Line and X-Pro packages added to its versatility.

Toyota’s 2023 Sienna lagged behind in terms of new tech, relying on an older infotainment interface. While it featured essentials like SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and optional navigation, the interface felt outdated. A 9-inch touchscreen, though functional, came with quirks such as wired-only connections for smartphone integration and a convoluted process for accessing Android Auto. Despite these drawbacks, the physical buttons provided a degree of functionality that touchscreen-only systems lack.

In contrast, the 2024 Kia Telluride featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, although it still required a wired connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Bluetooth pairing was straightforward, though a missing Kia Connect subscription prevented testing voice recognition. Kia’s subscription plans offered various features, from 911 Connect to over-the-air updates and remote vehicle functions.

The Telluride’s 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system provided good sound quality, and additional tech highlights included a blue-light filter for reducing eye strain, Quiet Mode, and voice projection to rear seats. The SUV also offered a digital key function and a camera-based rearview mirror with high resolution. The 10-inch head-up display and 360-degree camera system added to the comprehensive technological suite, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna shone in safety, offering a robust suite of standard ADAS, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna earned a 5-star safety rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS for the 2022 model.

Similarly, the 2024 Kia Telluride impressed with its standard Kia Drive Wise driver assistance features, including collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and Highway Driving Assist. Higher trims added features like front parking sensors, cross-traffic alert, and Highway Driving Assist 2.0 with automatic lane changing. The Telluride also boasted a 5-star NHTSA rating and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS.