Compare the2024 Toyota SiennaVS 2023 Ford Transit Connect Wagon

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Payload and Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and middle seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Sienna are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Ford Transit Connect Wagon doesn’t offer height-adjustable middle seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Sienna are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Transit Connect Wagon doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Toyota Sienna has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Transit Connect Wagon doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Sienna has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Transit Connect Wagon doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Sienna XLE/XSE/Limited/Platinum has a standard Parking Support Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Transit Connect Wagon doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Sienna offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Transit Connect Wagon doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Sienna’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Transit Connect Wagon and is only available on Transit Connect Wagon XLT/Titanium.

The Sienna Platinum has a standard Panoramic View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Transit Connect Wagon only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Sienna has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Braking automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Ford charges extra for Cross Traffic Alert on the Transit Connect Wagon and the Transit Connect Wagon’s Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

Both the Sienna and the Transit Connect Wagon have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

The Toyota Sienna weighs 591 to 792 pounds more than the Ford Transit Connect Wagon. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Sienna is safer than the Ford Transit Connect Wagon:

	Sienna	Transit Connect Wagon
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	48%	48%
Leg Forces (l/r)	448/220 lbs.	637/489 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Sienna is safer than the Ford Transit Connect Wagon:

	Sienna	Transit Connect Wagon
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	42	78
Chest Movement	.5 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	123 lbs.	167 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	52	265
Spine Acceleration	30 G’s	57 G’s
Hip Force	542 lbs.	781 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	12 inches
Spine Acceleration	31 G’s	37 G’s
Hip Force	499 lbs.	726 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Toyota Sienna achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Transit Connect Wagon has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

Warranty

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Sienna for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Ford doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Transit Connect Wagon.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. With 7 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Toyota higher than Ford.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Ford is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Ford is ranked 22nd.

Engine

The Sienna’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 83 more horsepower (245 vs. 162) than the Transit Connect Wagon’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota Sienna is faster than the Ford Transit Connect Wagon:

	Sienna	Transit Connect Wagon
Zero to 60 MPH	7.6 sec	10.5 sec
Quarter Mile	15.8 sec	17.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	87.8 MPH	77.5 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Sienna gets better mileage than the Transit Connect Wagon:

			MPG
Sienna
	FWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	36 city/36 hwy
	AWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	35 city/36 hwy
Transit Connect Wagon
	FWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/28 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Sienna’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Transit Connect Wagon doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Sienna has 2.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Transit Connect Wagon (18 vs. 15.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Sienna has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Transit Connect Wagon. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota Sienna higher (7 out of 10) than the Ford Transit Connect Wagon (5 to 6). This means the Sienna produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Transit Connect Wagon every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The Sienna has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Transit Connect Wagon doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The Sienna’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Transit Connect Wagon are solid, not vented.

The Sienna stops shorter than the Transit Connect Wagon:

	Sienna	Transit Connect Wagon
60 to 0 MPH	125 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Sienna has larger tires than the Transit Connect Wagon (235/50R20 vs. 215/55R16).

The Sienna XSE/FWD Platinum’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Transit Connect Wagon’s 55 series tires.

For better load carrying, ride, handling and brake cooling the Sienna LE/XLE has standard 17-inch wheels. Only 16-inch wheels are available on the Transit Connect Wagon. The Sienna XSE/FWD Platinum has standard 20-inch wheels.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Toyota Sienna has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Ford Transit Connect Wagon has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Sienna is 6.3 inches wider in the front and 6.8 inches wider in the rear than on the Transit Connect Wagon.

For better maneuverability, the Sienna’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the Transit Connect Wagon’s (38.3 feet vs. 40 feet). The Sienna XSE/Platinum FWD’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the Transit Connect Wagon’s (39.2 feet vs. 40 feet).

Passenger Space

The Sienna has standard seating for 8 passengers; the Transit Connect Wagon can only carry up to 7.

The Sienna has 5.4 inches more front hip room, 4.8 inches more front shoulder room, 2.3 inches more rear legroom, 7.9 inches more rear hip room, 4.2 inches more rear shoulder room, 3.7 inches more third row legroom, 1.8 inches more third row hip room and 2.2 inches more third row shoulder room than the Transit Connect Wagon.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Sienna’s middle and third row seats recline. The Transit Connect Wagon’s middle row seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Sienna’s cargo area provides more volume than the Transit Connect Wagon.

	Sienna	Transit Connect Wagon
Behind Third Seat	33.5 cubic feet	16.3 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	75.2 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	n/a	60.1 cubic feet

The Sienna has a standard Split & Stow third row seat, which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The Transit Connect Wagon doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Sienna XLE/XSE/Woodland/Limited/Platinum has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button or, optionally on the Sienna XLE/XSE/Limited/Platinum, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The Transit Connect Wagon doesn’t offer a power cargo door.

Payload and Towing

The Sienna’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Transit Connect Wagon’s (3500 vs. 0 pounds).

A Trailer Sway Control is standard on the Sienna, using the Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the Transit Connect Wagon.

The Sienna AWD has a higher standard payload capacity than the Transit Connect Wagon (1375 vs. 1270 lbs.).

Servicing Ease

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Sienna to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes and vehicle inspections based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Ford doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Transit Connect Wagon.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Sienna XSE Premium/Limited/Platinum, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position (with optional power wheel adjuster) and outside mirror angle. The Transit Connect Wagon doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Sienna XSE Premium/Limited/Platinum’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Transit Connect Wagon doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Sienna Platinum has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Transit Connect Wagon doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Sienna’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Transit Connect Wagon has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Sienna’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Transit Connect Wagon’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Sienna the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Transit Connect Wagon can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Sienna has a standard Pushbutton Start that allows you to start the engine without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Passive Entry/Passive Start costs extra on the Transit Connect Wagon and isn’t available on the Transit Connect Wagon XL.

The Sienna’s power side sliding doors make it much easier to load and unload kids and cargo. One touch opens the door, before you even get to the van. The Transit Connect Wagon doesn’t offer a power rear door.

The Sienna’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Transit Connect Wagon’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen. The Sienna’s LED headlights produce a white, bright light using less electricity than the Transit Connect Wagon’s optional xenon high intensity discharge (HID) headlights. HID headlights can be slow to reach full brightness or power cycle, causing issues when flashing them to signal other vehicles; LED headlights light instantly. LED lights also last about three to four times as long.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Sienna has standard extendable sun visors. The Transit Connect Wagon doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Sienna to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Transit Connect Wagon doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Sienna has standard power remote mirrors. The Transit Connect Wagon only comes with remote mirrors at extra cost. Without them the driver will have to roll down the windows and reach across the car to adjust the mirrors.

The Sienna’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford charges extra for heated mirrors on the Transit Connect Wagon.

When the Sienna with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Transit Connect Wagon’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Sienna’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Transit Connect Wagon offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Sienna and the Transit Connect Wagon offer available heated front seats. The Sienna Platinum also has standard heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated second row seats aren’t available in the Transit Connect Wagon.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Sienna XSE Premium/Limited/Platinum keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Transit Connect Wagon doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Sienna Platinum’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Transit Connect Wagon doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

To help keep the driver’s hands on the wheel, the Sienna has standard steering wheel controls for the radio. The Transit Connect Wagon doesn’t offer steering wheel audio controls.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Sienna, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Ford Transit Connect Wagon isn't recommended.

The Toyota Sienna outsold the Ford Transit Connect by almost four to one during 2023.

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