2023 Honda HR-V vs 2024 Toyota Sienna

The 2023 Honda HR-V underwent a significant styling transformation, shedding some of its previous quirky charm for a more sophisticated and modern appearance. The lowered beltline and simplified detailing contributed to a sleeker look, with cleaner lines and fewer interruptions. The windshield wipers were discreetly tucked under the hood's lip, and the black molding strips on the roof were removed. The HR-V was available in new colors like Nordic Forest Pearl, enhancing its contemporary appeal. The EX-L trim, which was tested, featured perforated leather seats and dual-zone climate control, offering a comfortable and upscale cabin experience. The interior design followed the refinement trend set by the 2022 Civic, with premium touches like a metal honeycomb grille and touch-sensitive lights.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Sienna presented a distinctive look with its sleek front and rear fascias, available in vibrant colors like deep blue, red, or green. The XSE trim, tested for its sporty appeal, featured a black metallic mesh front grille, black heated side mirrors, and 20-inch dark wheels. The Sienna's interior was designed for practicality, with features like a lower storage pass-through and multiple cupholders. The second-row captain's chairs offered ample legroom and an ottoman for added comfort, although the slide function was somewhat complex. The third row provided sufficient space, and the tri-zone climate control ensured a comfortable environment for all passengers.

The 2023 Honda HR-V was powered by a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine, producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, an improvement over the previous model. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) featured a Step-Shift function to mimic traditional automatic transmission sounds. Drivers could choose from Normal, Snow, or ECON drive modes, with Sport mode available for a more dynamic experience. The HR-V offered front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) options, with improved suspension and widened tracks for a more enjoyable driving experience. However, it was not as powerful as some competitors, and the cabin was noisier at higher speeds.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna, a hybrid minivan, combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, producing a total of 245 horsepower. While the Sienna featured a sport-tuned suspension and a Sport mode, it lacked the performance excitement, feeling sluggish off the line. The CVT provided smooth but slow acceleration, especially during highway merging or uphill driving. The minivan excelled in urban settings, with Normal and Eco modes offering a pleasant driving experience. The brakes were slightly grabby, but the steering was light and accurate, with excellent visibility. The Sienna's hybrid setup prioritized efficiency over performance, making it less thrilling than some competitors.

The 2023 Honda HR-V, a subcompact SUV, offered a well-thought-out interior with a center console featuring a shelf for storage. The rear-seat headroom was slightly reduced for a fastback look, with 39.4 inches in the front and 38.0 inches in the rear. Cargo space measured 24.4 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 55.1 cubic feet with them folded. The HR-V's passenger volume varied by trim, with the EX-L offering 97.3 cubic feet. The rear seats provided a higher seating position for easier entry and egress, and the front row offered improved legroom.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior space, with a lower storage pass-through and multiple cupholders. The second-row captain's chairs could slide 25 inches, providing up to 40 inches of legroom. The third row offered ample space, with 39 inches of legroom when the second row was pushed forward. The Sienna featured tri-zone climate control, with an additional zone for the front passenger in the XSE trim. The rear liftgate revealed 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 101 cubic feet with the second row folded. The third-row seats could be stowed easily, although they didn't lock into place when flush with the floor.

The 2023 Honda HR-V featured a tablet-style touchscreen for its infotainment system, with physical knobs for power and volume. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across the lineup, with wireless versions available on the EX-L trim. The EX-L also offered a 9-inch infotainment display, a Qi-compatible wireless charging pad, and an eight-speaker audio system. The HR-V included a 7-inch digital gauge cluster and a 7-inch color touchscreen display, with Smart Shortcuts for personalized user preferences.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna retained Toyota's older infotainment technology, featuring a nine-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system included physical buttons for common menus, but the backup camera's grainy view was disappointing. The Sienna offered a standard Wi-Fi hotspot, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an optional 12-speaker JBL stereo system. USB ports were scattered throughout the cabin, with a 1500-watt inverter and 120-volt outlets for added convenience. Optional features included an 11.6-inch rear-seat entertainment system and a 10-inch color head-up display.

The 2023 Honda HR-V came standard with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, collision-mitigation braking, lane-keeping assist, and more. New features for 2023 included traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and automatic high-beams. The HR-V had not yet been crash-tested for 2023, but the 2022 model received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and mostly "Good" scores from the IIHS.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna featured the Toyota Safety Sense suite, including lane departure alert, automatic emergency braking, road sign recognition, and full-speed adaptive cruise control. The Sienna received four out of five stars for frontal crash and rollover protection and five stars for side crash protection from the NHTSA. The IIHS rated the Sienna "Good" in crashworthiness and seat belt and child restraint systems, with an "Average" rating for front crash prevention.