2023 Toyota Sienna vs 2024 Lexus TX

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 a sleek front-end styling reminiscent of a Japanese bullet train. It offered a variety of trims, from the base LE to the luxurious Platinum, and even a 25th Anniversary Special Edition. The XLE trim was particularly appealing to value-conscious buyers, featuring standard LED fog lights, 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 allowing for three-across car seats in the middle row.

In contrast, the 2024 Lexus TX was based on the Toyota Grand Highlander but distinguished itself as a luxury SUV. The TX boasted upscale looks, especially with the Luxury trim's 22-inch wheels. Its styling was more conservative than other Lexus models, appealing to those who preferred understated elegance. The TX came in three model series: TX 350, TX 500h F Sport Performance, and TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid, with prices ranging from $55,050 to $69,350. The TX 350, likely the most popular version, featured a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and offered both FWD and AWD options. The Luxury trim added premium touches like ambient lighting and semi-aniline leather upholstery, though the interior felt a bit dark despite the panoramic sunroof.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna was powered by a hybrid system, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric motors to produce 245 net system horsepower. While this setup was less powerful than some competitors, it offered a nimble and enjoyable driving experience, especially in urban settings. The Sienna's light steering and tidy turning radius made it easy to maneuver, and its chassis provided a surprisingly fun drive for a minivan. However, the CVT and lackluster acceleration left something to be desired, and the various drive modes, including EV and Sport, didn't significantly enhance performance.

The 2024 Lexus TX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. Lexus claimed it could accelerate to 60 mph in eight seconds, though it felt quicker due to its torque delivery. The TX 350's performance was adequate, with a combined fuel economy rating of 23 mpg for the FWD model. The AWD option, costing an additional $1,600, offered better traction and slightly quicker acceleration. The TX 350's ride and handling struck a balance between firmness and comfort, with commendable body motion control and accurate steering. However, the brake pedal felt too soft, though it was easy to modulate for smooth stops.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior space and storage solutions. It featured numerous cubbies, shelves, and bins, including a large open cubby below the center console and a long shelf on the dash. The Sienna's minivan platform allowed for impressive cargo space, 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, limiting maximum cargo capacity compared to competitors. The second-row captain's chairs were functional and comfortable, with extending ottomans and adjustable tracks for added legroom.

The 2024 Lexus TX addressed previous shortcomings in Lexus's three-row SUVs. It offered a comfortable and functional interior, with premium materials and features like heated and ventilated seats. The third-row seat was habitable for adults, unlike previous models, and the TX provided 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind it. With the third-row seats folded, cargo space expanded to 57.4 cubic feet, and folding the second row increased it to 97 cubic feet. The TX had ample storage slots and bins, though some lacked lining, potentially causing noise. The split front center armrest design was less practical, and second-row legroom was limited when accommodating third-row passengers.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna lagged behind in technology, relying on an older infotainment interface. It included core features like SiriusXM, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, but required wired connections for the latter two. The interface was clunky, with no dedicated buttons for Android Auto, and the 9-inch touchscreen felt dated. However, the 12-speaker JBL audio system provided good sound quality.

The 2024 Lexus TX, equipped with the optional Technology Package, offered a more advanced tech experience. It featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel, head-up display, digital rearview mirror, and semi-autonomous parking assist. However, the unmarked steering wheel controls and head-up display visibility issues were frustrating. The Lexus Interface infotainment system, with its 14-inch touchscreen, was user-friendly, especially with the Drive Connect subscription. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with various connectivity features like Wi-Fi and Remote Connect. The optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system delivered impressive sound quality.

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. While competitors offered additional features like intercom systems and rear-seat cameras, the Sienna focused on essential safety technologies.

The 2024 Lexus TX came with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems under the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0. It included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and more. Proactive Drive Assist added braking and steering assistance, though it wasn't entirely transparent. The TX also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and optional parking sensors. The traffic jam assist system provided hands-free driving at low speeds, but the TX lacked a higher-speed hands-free system. Overall, LSS+ 3.0 was effective, though it occasionally slowed too dramatically when other vehicles cut in.