Toyota Sienna vs Chevrolet Suburban

In the 2024 model, the Toyota Sienna was available in a variety of trim levels, including LE, XLE, XSE, Woodland Edition, Limited, and Platinum. This diversity allowed the Sienna to stand out with its distinctive look. Though Toyota might have discontinued its "swagger wagon" commercials, the spirit remained alive in its design. Competing with the Kia Carnival for style, the Sienna came with sleek front and rear fascias and offered colors such as deep blue, red, and green. LED lighting was standard across the lineup, but upper trims benefited from Bi-LED projector headlamps. Particularly, the XSE trim was designed to be the sporty option, featuring a black metallic mesh front grille, black heated side mirrors, and 20-inch dark alloy wheels. The Woodland Edition, exclusive in Cement or Midnight Black Metallic, was targeted for a slightly off-road experience, equipped with roof rails with crossbars, a tow hitch, and an additional half-inch ground clearance. Inside, the Sienna offered a combination of functionality and comfort. Standard features included cloth seats, three-zone climate control, and room for eight passengers. The XSE trim’s optional Premium package, for an extra $4,000, replaced the second-row bench with two captain’s chairs and added heated and cooled leather-trimmed front seats. The layout, marked by horizontal design lines and satin accents, gave it a spacious feel. The fixed center console was practical, though the interior was clearly designed for family use, complete with optional upper trim features like a built-in vacuum cleaner. The Chevrolet Suburban, a longstanding nameplate with 90 years of heritage, brought an air of familiarity despite its imposing size. With a length of 18 feet 10 inches and a height of over six feet, it was akin to a moving behemoth on the road. This substantial size made it an ideal option for those needing immense cargo and passenger space. The 2024 Suburban was offered in six trims: LS, LT, RST, Z71, Premier, and High Country. Even the most basic LS came with attractive 18-inch alloy wheels, while upper trims featured 22-inch options. Standard features included automatic windshield wipers, LED headlights and taillights, and tinted windows. However, higher trim levels, despite their premium position, still offered certain features as optional add-ons. For example, power running-board steps and a panoramic moonroof were extra even on the High Country trim, costing $1,745 and $1,500 respectively. Inside, the Suburban prioritized comfort with leather upholstery on all but the base LS trim. Our High Country tester came with features like a heated steering wheel and tri-zone automatic climate control. While the trim’s brown leather interior (dubbed “Mocha”) was luxurious, the overall cabin ambiance felt rather modest for a high-end model. The 12-way power-adjustable seats were supportive, though perhaps not the first choice for lengthy drives.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna was exclusively offered as a hybrid, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, producing a total of 245 horsepower. All-wheel drive (AWD) models had their rear wheels powered by an additional electric motor. Performance-wise, the Sienna didn't match the thrill of a sports car. Despite having a sport-tuned suspension and a Sport mode, it was sluggish off the line, and the continuously variable transmission (CVT) contributed to a smooth yet somewhat lethargic acceleration process. The CVT also tended to be noisy. Nevertheless, the Sienna excelled in city driving with its light and accurate steering and excellent visibility. Driving was mostly pleasant in Normal or Eco mode, and the EV mode was ideal for low-speed scenarios. The brakes, however, could be overly sensitive at times. The Suburban for 2024 offered robust engine options: two V8s and a straight-six diesel. The standard 5.3-liter V8, producing 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, was available on most trims except the High Country, providing ample power and an 8,300-pound towing capacity with the Max Trailering Package. The optional 6.2-liter V8, available on select trims, delivered 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, ensuring smoother and stronger acceleration. The Duramax 3.0-liter turbodiesel was the third choice, providing 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. It impressed with better fuel efficiency and sufficient power for towing. Our recommendation would be this diesel engine for its balance of power and economy. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the diesel engine provided a pleasant driving experience, even in such a large vehicle.

The Sienna's spacious interior catered well to families. The lower storage pass-through up front was practical for bulkier items, and four front cupholders plus additional door holders ensured ample space for beverages. There was a handy shelf above the glovebox, which included a wireless charging pad. Second-row captain’s chairs could slide 25 inches, providing up to 40 inches of legroom. However, the seats couldn't be removed, limiting cargo capacity compared to competitors. The third row offered decent space, especially when the second row was adjusted forward. With the rear seats in place, the Sienna had 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 75 cubic feet with the third row stowed, and 101 cubic feet with the second row folded. The 2024 Suburban excelled in cargo capacity, boasting 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row. Dropping the third row expanded space to 93.8 cubic feet, while maximum capacity reached a massive 144.7 cubic feet. By comparison, it significantly outperformed rivals like the Ford Expedition Max and Jeep Wagoneer L. With a 28-gallon fuel tank, the Suburban promised long periods between fill-ups, crucial for road trips or towing adventures.

The Sienna's technology suite lagged behind newer systems. It featured a nine-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though physical buttons for key menus were a plus. The outdated backup camera displayed a grainy image that detracted from the 2024 model's overall experience. Analog gauges coupled with a seven-inch digital display in the cluster provided essential info. Extras included a Wi-Fi hotspot, SiriusXM, and an optional 12-speaker JBL system, though the latter lacked the audio fidelity some users might expect. Plus, a rear-camera mirror and a head-up display were available on certain trims. In contrast, the Suburban carried a 10.2-inch touchscreen standard on all but the base LS trim. Its straightforward and user-friendly interface featured Google Built-in, facilitating the use of Google Maps, Assistant, and Play Store without needing phone pairing. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, and the rear-seat entertainment system with dual touchscreens, though optional, added value. The 10-speaker Bose audio system fell short in sound quality, trailing behind higher-speaker-count systems from competitors.

Toyota’s Safety Sense suite was comprehensive, offering lane departure alert, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, road sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. Although adaptive cruise control worked well, lane-keeping assist occasionally showed inconsistency. The Sienna garnered respectable safety ratings, with the NHTSA awarding it four out of five stars for frontal and rollover protection and five stars for side crashes, while the IIHS rated it “Good” in most categories, except for an “Average” in front crash prevention. The Suburban received a four-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, with strong performance in side crash tests but only three stars in rollover tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, parking assists, lane-keeping assist, and the Teen Driver feature. Additionally, advanced technologies like rear cross-traffic alert were standard on higher trims. The premium trims could be equipped with Super Cruise, a semi-autonomous driving system, which could handle speed, steering, and lane changes on pre-mapped roads.