2024 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2023 Toyota Sienna

The 2023 Toyota Sienna was a minivan that defied traditional expectations with its sleek design and practical features. Toyota made a concerted effort to distance the Sienna from the typical minivan aesthetic, giving it a front-end styling reminiscent of a Japanese bullet train. The Sienna offered a variety of trim levels, from the base LE to the luxurious Platinum, with the 25th Anniversary Special Edition adding a unique touch. Inside, the Sienna impressed with its 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 available in the LE and XLE trims, making it a versatile choice for families.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, on the other hand, embraced its iconic heritage with a boxy design and a flat roof. Each of the three trims paid homage to past models, featuring elements like the heritage grille and round headlights. The Land Cruiser was equipped with modern LED lighting and color-selectable fog lights in the higher trims. Inside, the Land Cruiser offered a range of seating materials, from cloth in the base trim to real leather in the First Edition. The cabin was designed for comfort, with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel standard across all trims. The Premium Package added features like a moonroof and ventilated front seats, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna was powered by a hybrid system that combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two front-mounted electric motors and an additional rear-mounted motor for AWD trims. This setup delivered a total of 245 horsepower, which was somewhat underwhelming compared to its competitors. The Sienna's CVT struggled with acceleration, but its chassis and steering were commendable, offering nimble handling and a smooth highway ride. The Sienna featured multiple drive modes, but the Normal mode was the most practical choice, as the others had limitations.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser boasted a more robust powertrain with its i-Force MAX hybrid system. It combined a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 1.87-kWh battery pack and a 48-hp electric motor, producing a total of 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. The Land Cruiser featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD, with an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case. It excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to features like the Multi-Terrain Select system and an automatic limited-slip differential. The Land Cruiser's CRAWL control function and sway bar disconnect further enhanced its off-road capabilities.

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 dashboard. The Sienna's minivan platform allowed for impressive cargo space, with 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row and a total of 101 cubic feet with the seats folded. However, the middle row couldn't be removed or folded into the floor, limiting maximum cargo capacity. The second-row captain's chairs were highly functional, offering extending ottomans and ample legroom for third-row passengers.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, being a two-row vehicle, offered less passenger space but still provided a comfortable cabin. Headroom measured 36.1 inches in the front and 35.3 inches in the back, while legroom was 33.0 inches in the front and 26.7 inches in the rear. The center console housed essential off-road controls, and the cargo area featured a raised load floor with a rubber mat for easy cleaning. The Land Cruiser offered 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space, with additional features like a 120-volt AC outlet and USB-C ports in higher trims.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna lagged behind in terms of technology, relying on an older infotainment interface. It included core features like SiriusXM, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, but required a wired connection for the latter two. The interface was functional but felt outdated and clunky. The Sienna's 9-inch touchscreen was adequate, and the 12-speaker JBL audio system provided good sound quality.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a more advanced technology suite. The Multi-Terrain Monitor system, standard on higher trims, was invaluable for off-road driving. The 12.3-inch center touchscreen was well-sized for infotainment purposes, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The Land Cruiser offered a range of audio systems, from a six-speaker setup in the base trim to a 14-speaker JBL premium system in the First Edition. The Premium Package added features like a head-up display and a digital rear-view mirror.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna impressed with its comprehensive 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 it lacked some of the more gimmicky features found in competitors, the Sienna prioritized essential safety technologies.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but it came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. This suite included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, lane-tracing assist, and more. The Premium Package added additional safety features like lane-keep assist and front cross-traffic alert. While the Land Cruiser's safety ratings were not available, Toyota's reputation for safety provided some assurance.