2024 Toyota Sienna vs 2025 Nissan Pathfinder

The 2024 Toyota Sienna, available in various trims such as LE, XLE, XSE, Woodland Edition, Limited, and Platinum, presented a distinctive and stylish appearance. Despite the absence of the "swagger wagon" commercials, the Sienna maintained its unique vibe with sleek front and rear fascias and a range of cool colors like deep blue, red, or green. LED lighting was standard, with upper trims featuring 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 exclusive Cement or Midnight Black Metallic colors, was designed for off-road readiness with roof rails, a tow hitch, and slightly increased ground clearance.

Inside, the Sienna offered standard cloth seats, three-zone climate control, and seating for eight. The XSE trim with the optional Premium package replaced the second-row bench with captain’s chairs and added heated and cooled leather-trimmed front seats. The interior featured horizontal design lines, a fixed center console with satin accents, and easy-to-reach cup holders and shifter. While not luxurious, the interior was practical for families, with upper trims offering a built-in vacuum cleaner. The Sienna's spaciousness was enhanced by the sliding second-row seats and a rear liftgate with ample cargo space.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, tested in challenging snowy conditions near Mount Rainier National Park, showcased its capability with the Rock Creek trim. Equipped with 3-Peak Mud-and-Snow-rated Toyo Open Country AT3 tires, standard all-wheel drive, and seven selectable driving modes, including a dedicated snow mode, the Pathfinder handled the terrain with ease. The Rock Creek trim featured an adventurous look with 18-inch beadlock-style wheels, a V-Motion grille with mesh pattern, and stacked LED lighting elements. A metal roof rack and exposed trailer hitch emphasized its towing capabilities.

Inside, the Pathfinder offered a comfortable experience with cloth seats in lower trims and leatherette-and-cloth upholstery in the Rock Creek trim. The SL and Platinum trims featured full leather seats, with the Platinum adding quilted semi-aniline leather. The Pathfinder's EZ Flex Seating System allowed easy access to the third row without removing car seats. The interior was spacious, with three-zone climate control and a power-adjustable driver’s seat in the Rock Creek trim. Despite its rugged appearance, the Pathfinder was best suited for light off-roading, with a soft suspension providing a comfortable ride.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna was powered by a hybrid system combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, producing a total of 245 horsepower. All-wheel drive models added an electric motor for the rear wheels. While the Sienna offered a sport-tuned suspension and a Sport mode, its performance was not particularly thrilling, feeling sluggish off the line with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that could be loud. The minivan excelled in town driving, with smooth acceleration and excellent visibility, but lacked the power of competitors like the Honda Odyssey, Kia Carnival, or Chrysler Pacifica.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque in most trims, with the Rock Creek trim offering 295 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. The nine-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts, and the Rock Creek and Platinum trims included a transmission oil cooler for a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. The Pathfinder's soft suspension offered a comfortable ride but lacked the handling precision of some competitors. Fuel economy for the Rock Creek trim was 20 mpg city, 23 highway, and 21 combined, with the Pathfinder offering seven drive modes for various terrains.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior space, with a lower storage pass-through, multiple cupholders, and a shelf above the glovebox. 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, a rear liftgate with 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space, and a maximum of 101 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, while not offering as much cargo capacity as some competitors, provided ample space for real-world needs. With 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 80.5 cubic feet with both rows folded, the Pathfinder accommodated a three-day ski trip with ease. The Rock Creek trim included captain’s chairs and a removable center console, with the EZ Flex Seating System allowing easy access to the third row. The Pathfinder featured three-zone climate control and comfortable seating, with power adjustments available in higher trims.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna was equipped with an older infotainment system featuring a nine-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the system included physical buttons for common menus, the backup camera was grainy, and the gauges were analog with a 7-inch digital display. The Sienna offered a Wi-Fi hotspot, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an optional 12-speaker JBL stereo system. USB ports and a 1500-watt inverter were available, with optional rear-seat entertainment and a head-up display.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder's infotainment system lagged behind competitors, with an 8-inch screen in lower trims and a 9-inch screen in higher trims. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with wireless projection available only for Apple devices on the 9-inch screen. A 6-speaker stereo was standard, with a 13-speaker Bose system available on higher trims. The Pathfinder included voice recognition, Bluetooth connectivity, and SiriusXM satellite radio, with navigation standard on the SL and Platinum trims. A 12.3-inch driver-information display and head-up display were exclusive to the Platinum trim.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna came standard with the Toyota Safety Sense suite, 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 also standard. The Sienna received a four-star rating from the NHTSA for frontal crash and rollover protection and a five-star rating for side crash protection. The IIHS rated it "Good" in crashworthiness but "Average" in front crash prevention.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It featured a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and rear automatic braking. Adaptive cruise control and ProPilot Assist were standard on all but the base trim, with traffic sign recognition available on higher trims.