2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2024 Toyota Sienna

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan maintained its design from the previous year, offering a range of trims from S to SEL R-Line, with prices starting at $26,950. The SEL R-Line trim, priced at $38,975, featured sporty styling and 20-inch wheels. Despite a variety of color and upholstery options, choices were limited by trim level, restricting customization. The Tiguan's design was conservative yet aging gracefully, with features like adaptive front lighting and a light bar across the grille. Inside, the cabin was upscale with quality materials, digital instrumentation, and a panoramic sunroof, though some materials reminded of its lower base price.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna, available in trims like LE, XLE, and XSE, offered a distinctive look with sleek fascias and vibrant color options. The XSE trim, with its sporty design, included features like a black metallic mesh grille and 20-inch wheels. The Woodland Edition catered to off-road enthusiasts with roof rails and increased ground clearance. Inside, the Sienna provided a spacious and functional cabin with features like a lower storage pass-through, powered side doors, and sliding second-row captain’s chairs. The interior was practical, with tri-zone climate control and optional features like a built-in vacuum cleaner, though it lacked the luxury feel of some competitors.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive as standard, with an optional 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. The SEL R-Line trim included AWD and additional driving modes for various conditions. The Tiguan averaged 24 mpg in combined driving, though our test yielded 22.6 mpg. The powertrain provided adequate power but struggled at higher speeds, with noticeable turbo lag and delayed downshifts. Despite these quirks, the Tiguan offered rewarding dynamics, with excellent tire grip and stable handling.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, producing a total of 245 horsepower. AWD models added an electric motor for the rear wheels. The Sienna's performance was smooth but sluggish, with a CVT that contributed to a lack of excitement. While the minivan excelled in town driving, it felt underpowered on highways. The brakes were grabby, but the steering was light and accurate. The Sienna offered various driving modes, including an EV mode for low-speed areas, but lacked the driving pleasure found in some competitors.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a spacious interior with comfortable front seats featuring power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The dashboard, however, had questionable ergonomics with touch-sensing controls that were difficult to use. The Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space, with generous legroom and a cavernous cargo area. With AWD, it provided 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 73.4 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna provided a functional interior with features like a lower storage pass-through and powered side doors. The second-row captain’s chairs offered ample legroom and an ottoman for relaxation, though they were complicated to operate and non-removable. The third row was accessible and offered generous legroom when the second row was adjusted. The Sienna had a rear liftgate with 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 101 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured digital instrumentation with an 8-inch display on most trims and a 10.25-inch display on the SEL R-Line. The infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though it had a complex user interface. The system required multiple steps for simple tasks, and the voice-recognition system underperformed without an active Car-Net Hotspot subscription.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna used an older infotainment system with a 9-inch touchscreen and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It included physical buttons for common menus, but the backup camera was grainy. The Sienna offered a Wi-Fi hotspot, SiriusXM radio, and an optional JBL stereo system. USB ports were plentiful, and the vehicle had a 1500-watt inverter with outlets for charging devices.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered comprehensive safety features, including Front Assist and Side Assist, with forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. The IQ.Drive package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and semi-autonomous driving assist. The Tiguan's safety technology was effective, though its crash-test ratings were incomplete, with concerns about the driver's door unlatching during a side-impact test.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna came standard with Toyota Safety Sense, including lane departure alert, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna had numerous airbags and reminders for rear passengers. It received four out of five stars from the NHTSA for frontal crash and rollover protection and five stars for side crash protection. The IIHS rated it "Good" in most categories but "Average" in front crash prevention.