2025 Toyota Sienna vs 2024 Land Rover Defender

The 2024 Land Rover Defender presented a unique blend of classic and contemporary design elements. Its boxy silhouette paid homage to its rugged heritage, while modern touches like angular headlights connected it visually to the current Land Rover lineup. Inside, the Defender diverged from its siblings, offering a more robust and adventure-ready cabin reminiscent of a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco, yet with superior soft-touch materials. The Defender was available in three body styles: the two-door 90, the four-door 110, and the extended-wheelbase four-door 130, each with various trims. Our test drive of the Defender 110 S, featuring the County visual package, highlighted its retro appeal with white wheels and vintage graphics, though it also catered to those preferring a modern aesthetic with aggressive styling options.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Sienna maintained the quintessential minivan form, prioritizing practicality over style. Despite Toyota's efforts to add flair with a trapezoidal grille and upswept body lines, the Sienna's design remained utilitarian. The Platinum trim introduced new flower-petal wheel designs, but the overall look was unmistakably minivan. Our test vehicle, a Platinum model in Magnetic Gray, was equipped with numerous features, including an extended connected services subscription and all-weather floor mats. While the Sienna's interior updates aimed for an upscale appearance, some elements, like the woodgrain finish, received mixed reviews. Nevertheless, the Sienna excelled in functionality, offering ample seating for up to eight passengers and easy access through sliding doors.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the P300, producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Our P400 test model featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. For those seeking more power, two supercharged 5.0-liter V8 options were available: the P500 with 493 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque, and the P525 with 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time active four-wheel drive. The Defender's towing capacity varied, with the six-cylinder and eight-cylinder models capable of towing up to 7,716 pounds, while the four-cylinder version could tow up to 5,500 pounds. The Defender excelled in off-road capabilities, particularly the Defender X, which featured an adaptive air suspension system and Terrain Response 2 system.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, was powered by a single hybrid system combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The standard front-wheel drive could be upgraded to an all-wheel-drive system with an additional rear-mounted electric motor. The Sienna's net horsepower was 245, which, while modest, was sufficient for city driving and highway cruising. The hybrid powertrain prioritized fuel efficiency, achieving an EPA rating of 36 mpg in combined driving. However, during testing, the Sienna averaged 26.3 mpg. While the Sienna's handling was predictable and secure, it lacked the excitement of sportier vehicles. The ride was smooth and absorbent, akin to a marshmallow on wheels, and the cabin remained impressively quiet on the highway.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender struck a balance between luxury and practicality, featuring soft-touch materials alongside functional elements like grip handles and rubberized floors. Seating capacity varied from five to eight passengers, depending on the configuration. The Defender 110 offered an optional third row, while the Defender 130 provided three seats in the third row, though space was limited. Cargo capacity also varied, with the Defender 130 offering up to 76.1 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The Defender 110 provided 78.8 cubic feet in the two-row version, while the two-door Defender 90 offered up to 58.3 cubic feet. The cargo area featured hard plastic surfaces, making it easy to clean.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna excelled in form and function, offering unique seating and cargo solutions. The front seats were power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated, though they felt hard after extended driving. The Platinum's second-row captain's chairs with ottoman-style leg rests were popular with passengers, and the third-row seat accommodated adults comfortably. The Sienna's sliding side doors and hands-free power liftgate facilitated easy loading and unloading. Cargo space was generous, with 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row and 75.2 cubic feet with the third row stowed. Maximum cargo capacity was 101 cubic feet, less than rivals due to the non-removable second-row seats. However, Toyota's research suggested most owners rarely removed seats, making the Sienna a practical choice for everyday use.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen, which, while smaller than some competitors, complemented the Defender's utilitarian persona. The system included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD radio, and a 10-speaker Meridian stereo system. The straightforward setup, with home buttons for easy navigation, provided a blend of refinement and utility.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Sienna's higher-spec models boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the Toyota Audio Multimedia (TAM) infotainment system. Our Platinum test vehicle included a four-zone automatic climate control system, a 10-inch head-up display (HUD), and a camera-based digital rearview mirror. The TAM system offered access to five connected services plans, with varying subscription periods. The digital assistant, part of the Drive Connect plan, responded accurately to commands, enhancing the user experience. The Sienna Platinum also featured a 12-speaker JBL premium audio system, though the sound quality required adjustments for optimal performance. The four-zone climate control system and digital rearview camera added convenience and functionality.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender came equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard driver assistance features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional safety tech included traffic sign recognition, automatic high beams, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a 360-degree parking camera system. However, the lane-departure and lane-keeping assist systems were overly sensitive, requiring deactivation for smoother driving. As of this writing, the Defender had not been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA.

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 nature. 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 vigilance in urban areas. New for 2025, the Sienna added rear-seat reminder technology, alerting drivers to movement within the cabin. The NHTSA awarded the Sienna a five-star overall rating, though it received lower scores in frontal crash tests.