2024 Toyota RAV4 vs 2024 Toyota Sienna

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 sported a facade that suggested more toughness than it possessed. With a perpetual frown and grimace, it always seemed angry. The lower gray body cladding, part of the SUV recipe, flaunted aggressive angularity, while dual exhaust outlets hinted at non-existent performance. Higher trims flaunted fake front and rear skid plates, and two off-road-themed models boasted more robust utility-style roof racks.

The TRD Off-Road model, topping the RAV4 lineup, cost $38,295 plus a destination charge of $1,350. Army Green, though not the favorite color, came at no extra cost. Our test vehicle included a digital rearview mirror and the Advanced Technology and Weather option packages, bringing the MSRP to $41,925 inclusive of the destination fee.

Opting for an RAV4 did not have to be expensive. Across the gas-engine lineup, prices ranged from $28,675 for the LE to $38,295 for the TRD Off-Road. Hybrid versions cost an additional two to three thousand dollars but offered more power and better fuel-efficiency.

The interior of the RAV4 reflected its utility-oriented design. It had a full-width shelf running across the dashboard, robust door handles, easy-clean surfaces, and rubber-lined storage areas. The nicer the budget, the better the interior became. Contrast-color choices in XLE Premium and Limited trims provided a more upscale look.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Sienna cut a distinctive look, continuing the "swagger wagon" vibe. Available in LE, XLE, XSE, Woodland Edition, Limited, and Platinum trims, it sported sleek front and rear fascias and came in cool colors like deep blue, red, or green. LED lighting was standard, with Bi-LED projector headlamps in upper trims.

Our XSE tester represented the "sporty" trim with a black metallic mesh front grille, black heated side mirrors, and 20-inch dark wheels, exuding "swagger wagon" indeed. The Woodland Edition, available in Cement or Midnight Black Metallic colors, was slightly more off-road-ready with roof rails, crossbars, a tow hitch, and a 6.9-inch ground clearance.

The Sienna, standard with cloth seats and three-zone climate control, had room for eight. Our XSE trim with the optional Premium package swapped the second-row bench seat for two captain’s chairs, featuring heated and cooled leather-trimmed front seats. The horizontal design lines and fixed center console added spaciousness. Despite not being luxurious, the Sienna’s interior was kid-friendly and practical.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 184 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm. This powertrain required revving the engine hard to access maximum power. It had an eight-speed automatic transmission powering the front wheels, unless equipped with the torque-vectoring AWD system. Our TRD Off-Road model had AWD, exclusive off-road suspension tuning, an underbody skid plate, and all-terrain tires on 18-inch matte-black TRD alloy wheels.

Multi-Terrain Select, featuring Normal, Snow, Mud & Sand, and Rock & Dirt driving modes, was standard. Despite its TRD Off-Road badge, it offered the same 8.6-inch ground clearance as other models, with no improved approach or departure angles. While testing in Southern California, the SUV did slightly better off-pavement but still did not match the 4Runner in capabilities.

However, the off-road suspension shined during daily commutes, absorbing speed humps and bumps effortlessly. The RAV4’s steering and brakes suited its purpose, and all-terrain tires performed well on roads, although road noise was evident at freeway speeds.

The RAV4’s engine, though loud and unrefined, worked well with an excellent eight-speed automatic transmission offering dependability. The TRD Off-Road model’s EPA fuel economy was rated at 28 mpg combined; our real-world testing yielded 26.6 mpg. Comparatively, the RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition achieved 37 mpg.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna, exclusively hybrid, combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors for front-wheel drive and an additional electric motor for AWD. It produced 245 horsepower in total.

Despite a sport-tuned suspension and a Sport mode, the Sienna felt sluggish off the line. The CVT contributed to smooth but seemingly slow acceleration, especially noticeable during highway merges or steep climbs. Driving around town, the Sienna was pleasant, if unremarkable, with better experiences in Normal or Eco mode and an EV mode for slow-speed areas. The brakes were a bit grabby, but the steering was light and accurate with excellent visibility.

For those craving more excitement, alternatives like the Honda Odyssey, Kia Carnival, or Chrysler Pacifica offered stronger V6 engines.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 emphasized practicality and utility, reflecting its purpose in recreational activities. The interior featured ample storage options, oversized rubberized controls, and purposeful design elements, although lacking fanciness.

In the TRD Off-Road trim, the seats had SofTex artificial leather upholstery, with an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. The optional Weather package added heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and other features making the RAV4 winter-ready. The driver’s seat offered comfort with good outward visibility, especially with the optional digital rearview mirror.

The RAV4’s rear seat comfortably accommodated four adults, with adequate legroom and foot space. The power liftgate revealed 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 69.8 cubic feet with folded seats, competitive within its segment.

Conversely, the Sienna excelled with innovative interior features. The front had a lower storage pass-through for bulkier items and numerous cupholders. A shelf above the glovebox housed the wireless charging pad.

Second-row captain’s chairs slid 25 inches fore and aft, providing up to 40 inches of legroom. Though the slide function was complicated, the second-row seats couldn't be removed, limiting maximum cargo space compared to other minivans. The third row, accessible for adults and children, offered ample legroom, adjustable seats, window shades, and multiple cup holders.

Standard tri-zone climate control added comfort, with an extra zone in the XSE trim. The rear liftgate, activated with a kick motion, revealed 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space. With the third row stowed, the space expanded to 75 cubic feet and to 101 cubic feet with folded second-row seats.

The aging 2024 Toyota RAV4 utilized the latest Toyota Audio Multimedia system with standard 8-inch and available 10.5-inch touchscreen displays. It featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and several connected services plans.

Included complimentary services for ten years were Service Connect and Safety Connect. Remote Connect and Drive Connect, both free for the first year, offered remote vehicle access and cloud-based navigation respectively. Wi-Fi Connect transformed the RAV4 into an internet hotspot.

Despite being a sophisticated setup with active plans, it had shortcomings: lack of a multi-panel Home screen, limited navigation control exiting Apple CarPlay, and hard-to-read font. Our test model’s digital voice assistant performed well but had minor issues with voice volume and specific commands.

The optional JBL premium audio system was not included in our test vehicle, making the standard audio setup decent but not exceptional. The optional digital rearview mirror provided clear rear visibility when the RAV4 was loaded, although our test vehicle lacked the panoramic surround-view camera which could have prevented minor terrain damage.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Sienna retained older infotainment technology with a nine-inch touchscreen and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Though slower and less feature-rich, physical buttons for common menus provided convenience.

The backup camera’s grainy view was subpar for a 2024 model, with analog gauges and a 7-inch digital display in the cluster for essential data. Despite standard Wi-Fi hotspot, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an optional 12-speaker JBL stereo system, the Sienna’s standard tech felt outdated.

The Sienna also offered a standard Wi-Fi hotspot, optional 12-speaker JBL stereo system, and available rear-camera mirror. In-dash navigation was common, but most users preferred Google Maps. Ample USB ports were strategically placed, with a 1500-watt inverter offering 120-volt outlets in the second row and rear cargo area, activated by a button near the driver’s seat. Optional features included an 11.6-inch rear-seat entertainment system and a 10-inch head-up display.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5), a comprehensive ADAS package. However, the base LE trim lacked blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, arguably more crucial than some TSS 2.5 features.

In practical use, TSS 2.5 was adequate. Adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist performed acceptably on straight roads but struggled on curved highways, triggering incessant beeping. On straighter freeways, the systems worked better, and the adaptive cruise control managed moderate traffic smoothly. However, excessive braking occurred when slower vehicles cut in.

The RAV4 lost its IIHS Top Safety Pick award for 2024, scoring Marginal in the latest small overlap frontal-impact crash test and Acceptable in the side-impact test. These ratings reflected the RAV4’s design age, highlighting the need for an all-new version.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna featured Toyota Safety Sense suite, standard across all trims. It included lane departure alert, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, road sign recognition, full-speed adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams, complemented by standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

The ADAS systems generally worked as expected, with adaptive cruise control easing commuting stress, although lane-keeping assist caused slight side-to-side movement. Airbags, including side curtain airbags across all three rows, enhanced safety, with reminders to check rear rows when turning off the vehicle.

The Sienna received four out of five stars from NHTSA for frontal crash and rollover protection, and five stars for side crash protection. IIHS rated it "Good" in crashworthiness and child restraint systems, though "Average" in front crash prevention.