2025 Acura MDX vs 2024 Toyota Sienna

The 2024 Toyota Sienna, available in various trims like LE, XLE, XSE, Woodland Edition, Limited, and Platinum, presented a distinctive appearance. Despite the absence of the "swagger wagon" commercials, its vibe persisted. Competing with the Kia Carnival in style, the Sienna featured sleek front and rear fascias and offered colors such as deep blue, red, or green. Standard LED lighting was a highlight, with upper trims boasting Bi-LED projector headlamps. The XSE trim, known for its sporty look, included a black metallic mesh front grille, black heated side mirrors, and 20-inch dark wheels. The Woodland Edition, available in Cement or Midnight Black Metallic, was designed for light off-road adventures, featuring roof rails, a tow hitch, and slightly increased ground clearance.

Inside, the Sienna offered cloth seats, three-zone climate control, and seating for eight. The XSE trim with the Premium package replaced the second-row bench with captain’s chairs and added heated and cooled leather-trimmed front seats. The interior design emphasized spaciousness with horizontal lines and satin accents. While not luxurious, it was practical for families, with features like a built-in vacuum cleaner in upper trims. The fixed center console provided easy access to cup holders and the shifter, making it a functional kid-friendly vehicle.

The 2025 Acura MDX underwent subtle styling updates, including a new grille, revised front bumper, and darkened lights, enhancing its sporty presence. Most versions received new wheel designs, refining the front end. Interior changes were more significant, with a new touchscreen infotainment system replacing the previous touchpad interface, adding storage space. Seats from the MDX Type S model were included in the MDX Advance package and MDX A-Spec Advance, while the Type S received a new seat design. Enhanced sound insulation and acoustic laminated window glass improved cabin quietness.

Quality remained a hallmark of the MDX, though the gloss black plastic trim on the dashboard was prone to collecting dust and smudges. Controls were logically placed, with a volume knob and tuning rocker switch on the center console, and quick-access buttons for the head-up display and safety features. The new A-Spec Advance trim blended luxury with a sporty look, and our test vehicle, with Apex Blue Pearl paint and a $1,350 destination charge, had an MSRP of $69,950. The base MDX started at $50,900, with various trims offering additional features, culminating in the MDX Type S Advance at $74,950.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, producing 245 horsepower. All-wheel drive models added an electric motor for the rear wheels. Despite a sport-tuned suspension and Sport mode, the Sienna felt sluggish, with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that made acceleration smooth but slow. The CVT could be noisy, and the brakes were occasionally grabby. However, the steering was light and accurate, and visibility was excellent. The Sienna offered Normal, Eco, and EV modes, with the latter suitable for slow-speed areas.

In contrast, the 2025 Acura MDX emphasized performance with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine in the Type S, producing 355 horsepower. Most buyers opted for the standard 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission. The MDX offered front-wheel drive, with Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) available. The MDX provided a comfortable ride with various driving modes, though fuel economy dropped when using Sport mode. The A-Spec Advance was EPA-rated at 21 mpg combined, but our test vehicle averaged 18.4 mpg. The MDX handled well on twisty roads, with smooth body motions and reliable braking.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior space, with a lower storage pass-through for bulkier items and multiple cupholders. The second-row captain’s chairs offered 40 inches of legroom and an ottoman for relaxation, though the slide function was complex, and the seats couldn’t be removed, limiting cargo space. The third row was accessible for adults, with 39 inches of legroom when the second row was pushed forward. The Sienna provided tri-zone climate control, with an additional zone in the XSE trim. The rear liftgate revealed 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 101 cubic feet with the third row stowed.

The 2025 Acura MDX featured 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage programs in the MDX Advance and A-Spec Advance trims. The second row could be configured as a bench or individual seats, with a foldable middle section for storage. The third row was less comfortable for adults, with limited leg support. The MDX offered adequate in-cabin storage, with a new center console tray and wireless charging pad. Cargo volume measured 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 71.4 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna retained older infotainment technology with a nine-inch touchscreen and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While physical buttons were appreciated, the backup camera was grainy. The Sienna included a Wi-Fi hotspot, SiriusXM radio, and an optional JBL stereo system. USB ports were plentiful, and a 1500-watt inverter was available. Optional features included a rear-seat entertainment system and a head-up display.

The 2025 Acura MDX introduced a new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Alexa and Google Built-in, eliminating the previous touchpad interface. The system offered a natural interface, though SiriusXM required streaming through a phone. AcuraLink connected services and an AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot were standard. The MDX featured Bang & Olufsen audio systems, with up to 31 speakers in the Type S Advance. The infotainment system paired with a 12.3-inch digital display and a 10.5-inch head-up display, though blind-spot alerts were absent. A surround-view camera system was available in higher trims.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna came with Toyota Safety Sense, including lane departure alert, automatic emergency braking, road sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard. The Sienna received four stars from NHTSA for frontal crash and rollover protection and five stars for side crash protection. IIHS rated it "Good" in crashworthiness but "Average" in front crash prevention.

The 2025 Acura MDX featured AcuraWatch with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. AcuraWatch 360, exclusive to the Type S Advance, added features like front cross-traffic alert and evasive steering warning. The MDX received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, though SH-AWD models lacked a rollover rating. IIHS had not yet rated the 2025 model, but the 2024 MDX earned a Top Safety Pick+.