2025 Toyota Sienna vs 2024 Kia Seltos

The 2024 Kia Seltos underwent a mid-cycle refresh, resulting in subtle yet impactful changes. The updated headlight and grille designs, along with a connecting light strip between the smaller taillight assemblies, gave the Seltos a rejuvenated appearance without a significant price hike. The test model, showcased in the new "Pluton Blue" paint, exuded a sharp and modern look. Inside, the Seltos introduced two new interior colors, "Gentle Brown" and "Midnight Green," although the test model featured the standard black interior. The most striking interior update was the expansive digital panel covering two-thirds of the dashboard, integrating a fully digital instrument panel and a larger touchscreen infotainment system.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna, while maintaining its minivan essence, attempted to infuse style into its design. The trapezoidal grille and upswept body lines gave it a distinctive look, though it still resembled a traditional minivan. The Platinum trim, adorned in the new Magnetic Gray paint, featured new flower-petal wheel designs. Despite its efforts, the Sienna remained a practical choice for those needing ample passenger and cargo space. The interior updates included a new woodgrain finish, though opinions on its aesthetic appeal varied. The Sienna's interior was generally considered an improvement over previous models, offering a blend of practicality and style.

The 2024 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The base model featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). The base LX trim came standard with all-wheel drive, while the S and EX trims offered front-wheel drive with optional all-wheel drive. The X-Line and SX trims boasted a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 195 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, coupled with a new eight-speed automatic transmission. This turbocharged engine provided noticeable acceleration improvements, especially in 40-to-60 mph scenarios. The Seltos handled various road conditions well, with responsive steering and minimal body roll.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The front-wheel drive was standard, with an optional all-wheel-drive system. The hybrid system produced a net horsepower of 245, which was adequate for city driving and highway cruising. The Sienna's hybrid powertrain prioritized fuel efficiency, achieving an EPA rating of 36 mpg in combined driving. However, during testing, it averaged 26.3 mpg. The Sienna's handling was predictable but not particularly engaging, with a smooth ride and excellent impact isolation. The CVT's droning noise was noticeable during hard acceleration.

The 2024 Kia Seltos offered up to 62.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 26.6 cubic feet with the seats in use. The SX trim included a hands-free power liftgate. The Seltos provided an upright seating position with ample headroom and good rear legroom, accommodating taller occupants comfortably. The front seating area featured decently sized in-door cupholders and cubbies, while the SX trim included a removable cargo cover.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna excelled in form and function, offering power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats wrapped in perforated leather. The second-row captain's chairs with ottoman-style leg rests were popular among passengers. The Sienna's third-row seat accommodated adults comfortably, and the sliding side doors facilitated easy loading and unloading. The Sienna provided 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seat, expanding to 75.2 cubic feet with the third-row seats stowed. Maximum cargo capacity reached 101 cubic feet, though it fell short compared to rivals due to the non-removable second-row seats.

The 2024 Kia Seltos featured a consistent digital bezel across its trim lineup, with screen sizes varying by trim. The base infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen, while higher trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument panel and touchscreen. The infotainment system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with physical controls for volume and climate settings. The SX trim offered an upgraded eight-speaker Bose premium stereo system and Digital Key 2 Touch for smartphone access.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna's higher-spec models boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and touchscreen display for the Toyota Audio Multimedia (TAM) system. The Platinum trim included a four-zone automatic climate control system, a 10-inch head-up display, and a camera-based digital rearview mirror. The TAM system offered various connected services plans, with a digital assistant for voice commands. The Sienna Platinum featured a 12-speaker JBL premium audio system, though sound quality varied. The four-zone climate control system and digital rearview camera enhanced convenience and comfort.

The 2024 Kia Seltos came equipped with standard driver assistance features, including forward collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, lane-follow assist, automatic high beams, and driver attention warning. The S trim added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safe Exit Warning. The SX trim offered advanced features like smart cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and highway driving assist.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.0, which included forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna also had blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The new rear-seat reminder technology was a thoughtful addition for families. The Sienna received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), though it scored lower in frontal crash tests.