Let's face it - minivans get a bum rap. They will probably always be stuck with the stigma that they have suffered for decades. But for the fourth-generation Sienna minivan, Toyota has gone through great lengths to lessen the minivan stigma by improving its looks and style. On top of that, they have added yet another reason why the Sienna is the ultimate people mover - fuel economy.
In today's auto-world where SUVs rule and sedans are dying, Toyota has tried to make the Sienna more appealing. To make it look more like an SUV, it has raised the hood and the A-pillars have a sharper angle. At the rear, the roof line slopes down and around the rear wheels are fender bulges that run along the side of the van. Now, at the end of the day, I don't think anyone will confuse the Sienna with an SUV, but the Sienna is, in my opinion, one of the better-looking minivans on the market.
Since it's 2021 redesign, the Sienna has been offered exclusively as a hybrid. Its powertrain uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors that provide 245 horsepower. Power is routed through a CVT automatic transmission to either the front-wheels or all-wheels.
The Sienna is a great people mover, being able to seat seven or eight passengers. Depending on your needs, wants and price range, there are plenty of trim levels to choose from. The base LE, which starts at around $41,000 and seats 8, is nicely equipped with a power driver's seat, seven USB ports, a wireless phone charger, dual power sliding doors, second-row sunshades, triple-zone climate control system and an 8-inch touchscreen. The XLS adds keyless entry and push-button start, a sunroof, a power liftgate, a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen, and faux leather. The XSE is the sporty Sienna with a sport tuned suspension, sportier seats and black exterior trim. The Woodland Edition is set up more for the adventurer, with a 1-inch higher ride for better ground clearance, a tow hitch, and 2 household power outlets. The Limited, leans more towards luxury with leather seating, third-row sunshades, and footrests for the second-row captain's chairs. The Platinum gets it all and then some, including upgraded headlights, a heads-up display, 360-degree camera, premium leather, a refrigerated bin and internal vacuum cleaner.
The Sienna that I am in this week in the top-of-the-line Platinum, which has a price tag of $61,545.00
For 2025, the Sienna gets a new rear occupant detection system that can alert the driver when it detects that a passenger is still in the second- or third-row seats after the driver has shut off and exited the vehicle. Also, there is now wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphones.
Anti-minivaners just need to look inside the Sienna to see that the practicality of this vehicle is amazing. Driver and front passenger sit in comfort with a floating center console separating the two. The console flows out of the dashboard and leaves a large and spacious storage area below. And while others are doing away with traditional shifters, I'm glad to see Toyota hasn't joined them - as the Sienna still uses a lever protruding out of the center console.
Behind the front seats is a large amount of room for the second-row passengers. The seats, which are some of the best found in any vehicle, slide fore and aft and can also recline. There are even ottoman-style footrests available in the second row to create a first-class like feel for its passengers. Unlike previous Sienna s, the second-row seats in this fourth-generation Sienna do not come out or fold into the floor, making this Sienna more of a people mover rather than a cargo hauler.
At the bottom of the second-row console is a vacuum cleaner with a hose that can reach nearly every corner of the vehicle, making spills and cleanups super easy. No excuse to find a month old French fry or goldfish in here.
The third-row seat is a 60/40 split-folding seat that is easy to access when needed, and folds into a floor well to create a flat loading surface when it's not used.
At the track (really? Who takes a minivan to the track?), the Sienna can hit 60 mph in about 7.5 seconds, making it quicker than the Chrysler Pacifica, but doesn't earn quickest minivan bragging rights, as the Honda Odyssey still holds that title. But on the flip side, the Sienna gets bragging rights when it comes to fuel economy, where the EPA rates it at 35 mpg combined city and highway (with 34 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highway). Not only does the Sienna get the best fuel economy of all the available minivans but try finding a 3-row SUV that will get more than 30 mpg and you will probably come up empty handed.
The Sienna has always been one of the top picks in today's minivan market - it and the Honda Odyssey methodically duke it out for top honors, much like two geniuses playing chess. With the current Sienna, Toyota has raised the playing field by making it a hybrid and adding some convenient interior options. Make no mistake, it's still a minivan, but these changes make it a little easier to accept.