2024 Lexus GX vs 2023 Toyota Sienna

The 2023 Toyota Sienna deviated significantly from typical minivan designs to appeal to a broader audience. Many consumers struggled with the minivan image, possibly due to memories of family vacations in vehicles with sliding doors and basic aesthetics. Toyota strived to make the Sienna a stylish family car by incorporating design cues from Japanese bullet trains and equipping higher trims with 20-inch wheels. Multiple trim levels, from the base LE to the top-tier Platinum, provided various aesthetic and feature choices. Inside, the Platinum trim dazzled with high-quality brown leather and wood-grain accents, offering a luxurious experience. The Sienna could seat seven or eight passengers, with certain trims capable of holding three-across car seats.

In contrast, the 2024 Lexus GX embraced a bolder, more geometric style compared to its predecessor. The new design was characterized by a less pronounced spindle grille and a more aggressive, vertical front end. The triple-beam LED headlights and flat hood contributed further to its striking appearance, making it seem as if it were carved from a solid block of metal. Despite a robust off-road capability, the GX maintained an elegant look with features like 22-inch wheels on Luxury trims. The more rugged Overtrail trims featured 18-inch wheels with 33-inch all-terrain tires. The GX’s cabin was a fusion of luxury and utility, offering materials like Nuluxe leatherette and ample tech integration, including a large 14-inch touchscreen.

The performance of the 2023 Toyota Sienna focused on hybrid efficiency. Toyota equipped every Sienna with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine combined with electric motors, producing a total of 245 horsepower. Despite this, the acceleration felt underwhelming, particularly when compared to competitors like the Honda Odyssey. The Sienna’s continuously variable transmission (CVT) also presented a noisy driving experience. However, what it lacked in power, it made up for with a nimble and sound chassis, making it surprisingly fun to drive, especially in city environments. The minivan offered drive modes like EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport, but Normal mode was the most balanced for everyday use.

The 2024 Lexus GX upgraded significantly in the power department, shifting from a V8 to a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 engine that produced an impressive 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. This new engine provided ample power across a broad range of driving conditions, making tackling off-road obstacles a breeze. Built on the GA-F truck platform, the chassis was notably stiffer, enhancing both on-road stability and off-road capability. The GX featured a 10-speed automatic transmission that performed confidently. The Overtrail trims included features like a locking rear differential and E-KDSS, enhancing both wheel articulation and ground contact. Despite its off-road focus, the GX demonstrated composed on-road behavior and effective braking.

Minivans like the 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior space and storage solutions. The Sienna was filled with practical storage cubbies, bins, and shelves. Its interior dimensions were generous, with over 200 inches in length and a 120.5-inch wheelbase. Cargo space was substantial, with 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 101 cubic feet with the seats folded. However, the inability to remove or stow the second-row seats was a drawback compared to competitors like the Honda Odyssey, which offered more flexible configurations.

The 2024 Lexus GX’s interior was a substantial evolution from its predecessor, featuring fewer but more essential physical buttons and a minimalist design. Passenger space in the first and second rows was comfortable, with 41.2 inches of legroom in the front and 36.7 inches in the second row. However, the third row was cramped, suitable mainly for children. The GX offered competitive cargo space, with 10.3 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 90.5 cubic feet in its two-row Overtrail models. Its cargo space dimensions made it a suitable option for buyers needing both passenger and cargo capacity while retaining the rugged off-road appeal.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna lagged in technological sophistication. It utilized Toyota’s older infotainment system, featuring core functionalities like SiriusXM, Bluetooth, standard Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, but required wired connections for these services. The system had some usability quirks and an outdated interface, although it did offer physical buttons which some drivers might prefer. On higher trims, a 12-speaker JBL audio system enhanced the sound experience, making the outdated interface a bit more bearable.

Conversely, the 2024 Lexus GX shined in technology with its 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The GX offered wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, supported by multiple USB-C ports and a 120-volt outlet for additional power needs. Lexus included advanced features like the Drive Connect subscription service, which offered voice assistant capabilities and remote connectivity options. Higher trims, such as the Luxury+, included a potent 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, significantly enhancing the driving experience. However, many features were locked behind subscription services, potentially adding long-term costs.

Safety was a strong area for the 2023 Toyota Sienna. It came equipped with numerous standard Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), such as automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. These features contributed to its 5-star rating from the NHTSA and the Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS for the 2022 model.

The 2024 Lexus GX made significant strides in safety with the introduction of Lexus Safety System+ 3.0. This suite included pre-collision detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, and road-sign recognition. Additionally, it featured proactive driving assist for enhanced safety during high-speed maneuvers. While crash test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were pending, the upgraded safety architecture and features made the new GX far more reassuring in terms of safety.