2025 Acura MDX vs 2025 Toyota Sienna

The 2025 Acura MDX underwent subtle styling updates, including a new grille, revised front bumper, and darkened headlights and taillights, which enhanced its sporty and performance-oriented appearance. Most versions received new wheel designs, adding to the SUV's visual appeal. Inside, the MDX saw more significant changes with the introduction of a new touchscreen infotainment system, replacing the previous touchpad interface and providing additional storage space. The seats from the MDX Type S model were incorporated into the MDX Advance package and MDX A-Spec Advance, while the Type S received a new seat design. Acura also improved cabin quietness with added sound insulation and acoustic laminated window glass. Despite the quality of the MDX, the gloss black plastic trim on the dashboard was a drawback due to its tendency to collect dust and smudges. However, the MDX offered logically placed controls, including a volume knob and quick-access buttons for the head-up display and safety features. The new A-Spec Advance trim level combined luxury with a sportier look, and the test vehicle with Apex Blue Pearl paint and a destination charge had an MSRP of $69,950. The base MDX started at $50,900, with various trims available, culminating in the MDX Type S Advance at $74,950 plus destination charge.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna maintained its minivan identity with a box-on-wheels design, but Toyota attempted to add style with a trapezoidal grille, upswept body lines, hidden sliding door tracks, and swollen rear fenders. The Platinum trim level featured new flower-petal wheel designs. Despite these efforts, the Sienna still resembled a minivan, though it offered practicality with seating for up to eight. The test vehicle was the top-of-the-line Platinum model in Magnetic Gray paint, with prices ranging from $40,980 to $57,940, including a $1,495 destination charge. The interior received updates, including a new woodgrain finish, though opinions on its appearance varied. The Sienna's interior was considered improved overall, with features like a refrigerated compartment and accommodating third-row seating. However, the Sienna's maximum cargo capacity was less than its rivals due to the design of the second-row seats, which couldn't be removed or stowed in floor storage wells.

The 2025 Acura MDX positioned itself as a performance-oriented luxury SUV, offering a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine in the Type S model, producing 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. However, most buyers opted for the standard 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 290 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission. The MDX offered a choice between front-wheel drive and Acura's torque-vectoring Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, which was standard on higher trims. The MDX provided a range of driving modes, including Comfort, Normal, Sport, Snow, and Individual, with the Sport mode offering the best powertrain response. However, using Sport mode frequently impacted fuel economy, with the A-Spec Advance trim achieving an EPA rating of 21 mpg in combined driving, while the test vehicle averaged 18.4 mpg. The MDX handled twisty roads with confidence, though it exhibited some body roll and brake fade during spirited driving. In typical driving situations, the MDX offered a firm and communicative ride, with smooth acceleration and a comfortable highway experience. While not designed for off-roading, the MDX provided 7.3 inches of ground clearance, with the Type S Advance offering 9.4 inches thanks to an air suspension.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The hybrid system produced a net horsepower rating of 245, which was modest for a minivan seating up to eight and towing up to 3,500 pounds. However, the electric assist motor provided immediate torque, preventing the Sienna from feeling sluggish. In city driving, the powertrain was unobtrusive, and the Sienna offered a quiet highway ride. The hybrid powertrain prioritized fuel economy, with the FWD test model achieving an EPA rating of 36 mpg in combined driving, though it averaged 26.3 mpg on the evaluation loop. The Sienna's handling was predictable and secure, with little body roll, but it lacked the crispness and precision of more performance-oriented vehicles. The Sienna XSE offered a sport-tuned suspension for a racier look, but expectations for driving enjoyment should be tempered. The standard suspension provided a smooth and absorbent ride, akin to a marshmallow on wheels, and the test vehicle was impressively quiet on the highway.

The 2025 Acura MDX offered a range of seating configurations and features to enhance comfort and versatility. The MDX Advance and MDX A-Spec Advance trims featured 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage programs, wrapped in perforated, piped, and quilted leather. The second row could be configured as a three-person bench seat or individual bucket seats, with the option to remove the center section for a pass-through to the third row. The outboard second-row seats provided ample legroom and thigh support, with side window shades for added comfort. The third-row seat was less accommodating for adults, with limited leg support and foot space. In-cabin storage was adequate, with a new center console tray, wireless smartphone charging pad, and small storage compartments. Cargo volume measured 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row, with a sizable well on the left side and a large compartment under the load floor for hidden storage. Folding the third-row seats manually provided 39.1 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 71.4 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna prioritized form and function, offering unique seating and cargo solutions. The front seats were power adjustable, heated, and ventilated, wrapped in perforated leather, though they felt hard after extended driving. The Platinum trim's second-row captain's chairs with ottoman-style leg rests were popular with teenagers, and the refrigerated compartment on the back of the center console was a hit. The third-row seat accommodated adults, and the sliding side doors and second-row seats made loading and unloading easy. Storage space was generous, with a wide tray under the center console, though finding secure places for large water bottles was challenging. The Sienna offered 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, with the ability to collapse and stow the third-row seats for 75.2 cubic feet of space. Maximum cargo capacity was 101 cubic feet, less than rivals due to the design of the second-row seats, which couldn't be removed or stowed in floor storage wells.

The 2025 Acura MDX introduced a new infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, Alexa Built-in, and Google Built-in, offering complimentary access to Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Google Play for three years. This system replaced the previous True Touchpad Interface, providing a more intuitive and user-friendly experience. The MDX also featured AcuraLink connected services, an AT&T 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and upgraded sound systems, with Bang & Olufsen audio systems available on higher trims. The new infotainment system paired with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display, offering two themes and a graphic representation of the MDX. A 10.5-inch head-up display provided comprehensive data, though it lacked blind-spot monitoring alerts. The MDX Advance and MDX A-Spec Advance trims included a surround-view camera system with front, side, and rear views, easily activated with a button on the windshield wiper stalk.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display for the Toyota Audio Multimedia (TAM) infotainment system on higher-spec models. The Platinum trim included a four-zone automatic climate control system, a 10-inch head-up display, and a camera-based digital rearview mirror. An Entertainment Package was available, adding an 11.6-inch display, HDMI input, remote, and wireless headphones. The TAM system offered access to five connected services plans, with varying complimentary subscription periods. The digital assistant, part of the Drive Connect plan, responded accurately to commands, though some features required active subscriptions. The Sienna Platinum included a 12-speaker JBL premium audio system, though the sound quality was muddy with excessive bass. The four-zone climate control system was appreciated, and the digital rearview camera offered zoom capabilities. The surround-view camera and HUD were helpful, though the HUD lacked blind-spot warnings.

The 2025 Acura MDX benefited from hardware upgrades to its AcuraWatch collection of driver assistance features, improving accuracy and refinement. All MDX models included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control and Traffic Jam Assist were also standard. AcuraWatch 360, exclusive to the MDX Type S Advance, added front cross-traffic alert, evasive steering warning, and active lane-change assist. During testing, the standard AcuraWatch features performed well, though the lane-departure warning notification was disliked. The 2025 MDX retained its five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), though the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not yet commented on the 2025 model.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.0, an older technology set compared to TSS 3.0, which was preferred for its less intrusive operation. TSS 2.0 included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna also had automatic high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The lane-centering assist performed well, though the adaptive cruise control required human intervention during sudden traffic braking events. The 2025 Sienna introduced a rear-seat reminder system, alerting the driver to movement within the cabin. The NHTSA gave the Sienna a five-star overall rating, though it scored lower in frontal crash tests, and no minivans earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.