Suv vs minivan: highlander vs sienna – which is the better choice?
What To Know
- When it comes to choosing a family vehicle, the Toyota Highlander and Sienna stand out as two of the most popular options.
- It features a sleek and rugged exterior design, while the Sienna is a minivan with seating for up to seven or eight passengers.
- Overall, the Sienna offers a slightly better value for the money, with a lower starting price and more standard features than the Highlander.
When it comes to choosing a family vehicle, the Toyota Highlander and Sienna stand out as two of the most popular options. Both vehicles offer spacious interiors, advanced safety features, and impressive performance. But which one is right for you? In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll delve into the key differences between the Toyota Highlander and Sienna to help you make an informed decision.
Body Style and Seating Capacity
The Highlander is a three-row SUV with seating for up to eight passengers. It features a sleek and rugged exterior design, while the Sienna is a minivan with seating for up to seven or eight passengers. The Sienna’s boxy shape provides more headroom and cargo space, making it ideal for families who need plenty of room for both passengers and gear.
Interior Comfort and Features
Both the Highlander and Sienna offer comfortable and well-equipped interiors. The Highlander’s cabin is modern and stylish, with high-quality materials and a user-friendly infotainment system. The Sienna’s interior is more spacious, with ample legroom and headroom in all three rows. It also features a variety of family-friendly features, such as rear-seat entertainment and a built-in vacuum cleaner.
Powertrain and Performance
The Highlander is available with a choice of a 3.5-liter V6 engine or a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine. The V6 engine produces 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque, while the hybrid engine produces a combined 243 horsepower. The Sienna is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 296 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque. Both vehicles offer a smooth and comfortable ride, with the Sienna providing slightly better fuel economy thanks to its hybrid powertrain.
Safety Features
Safety is a top priority for both the Highlander and Sienna. Both vehicles have received excellent safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Standard safety features include lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna also offers a blind spot monitoring system and rear cross-traffic alert as standard, while the Highlander offers these features as optional upgrades.
Technology and Connectivity
The Highlander and Sienna both offer a range of advanced technology features. The Highlander’s infotainment system features a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The Sienna’s infotainment system features an 11.6-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Both systems offer voice recognition and a variety of connected services, such as remote start and vehicle tracking.
Pricing and Value
The Toyota Highlander starts at $36,420 for the base L trim level. The top-of-the-line Platinum trim level starts at $51,565. The Toyota Sienna starts at $34,460 for the base LE trim level. The top-of-the-line Limited trim level starts at $52,220. Overall, the Sienna offers a slightly better value for the money, with a lower starting price and more standard features than the Highlander.
Which Vehicle is Right for You?
The Toyota Highlander and Sienna are both excellent family vehicles with their own unique strengths and weaknesses. If you’re looking for a rugged SUV with seating for up to eight passengers, the Highlander is a great choice. If you need a more spacious vehicle with plenty of room for cargo and family-friendly features, the Sienna is the better option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which vehicle has a better fuel economy?
A: The Toyota Sienna has a slightly better fuel economy than the Highlander, thanks to its hybrid powertrain.
Q: Which vehicle has more cargo space?
A: The Toyota Sienna has more cargo space than the Highlander, with 39.1 cubic feet of space behind the third row of seats.
Q: Which vehicle has a higher towing capacity?
A: The Toyota Highlander has a higher towing capacity than the Sienna, with a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.
Q: Which vehicle has a better warranty?
A: The Toyota Highlander and Sienna both come with a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Q: Which vehicle is more reliable?
A: Both the Toyota Highlander and Sienna are known for their reliability, with the Highlander receiving slightly higher reliability ratings from J.D. Power and Associates.