Compare the2024 Toyota SiennaVS 2024 GMC Acadia

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 Acadia 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 Acadia 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.

Both the Sienna and the Acadia have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

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 Acadia has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

The Sienna’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Acadia’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

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. GMC only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Acadia.

The battery on the Sienna is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Sienna’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Acadia’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

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 GMC 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, GMC is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. GMC is ranked 24th.

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

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 Acadia. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

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 Acadia doesn’t offer a CVT.

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 Acadia are solid, not vented.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Sienna is .1 inches wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than on the Acadia.

The Sienna has standard seating for 8 passengers; the Acadia can only carry 7.

The Sienna has .4 inches more front hip room, .4 inches more front shoulder room, 7.8 inches more rear hip room, .7 inches more rear shoulder room, 6.6 inches more third row legroom, .2 inches more third row hip room and .6 inches more third row shoulder room than the Acadia.

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

The Sienna’s cargo area provides more volume than the Acadia.

The Sienna’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Acadia’s (3500 vs. 1500 pounds).

The Sienna’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Acadia’s passenger windows don’t close 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 Acadia can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Sienna’s standard sliding doors can be opened with less than three inches side clearance. The Acadia’s standard rear swing-out doors are bulky and make loading in tight spots difficult.

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 Acadia doesn’t offer a power rear door.

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

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Sienna, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Sienna outsold the GMC Acadia by 225 units during 2023.