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Now celebrating 25 years on the market, the Toyota Sienna minivan remains one of the best family haulers ever.
Two years ago, the Sienna received a complete makeover to enter its fourth generation, and it’s now offered only as a gasoline-electric hybrid. The Sienna is available with either front- or all-wheel drive.
Model year 2023 is the 25th anniversary of the introduction of the Sienna, and that brings a limited-availability 25th Anniversary Special Edition ($47,420, front-wheel drive; $48,180, AWD).
Based on the sporty XSE grade, this special model gains additional luxury cabin features from the Limited model, and adds exclusive exterior and interior trim. Toyota will build just 2,525 of these special models for the U.S. market.
We didn’t get one of those to test – they’re reserved for customers – but we did get to drive the 2023 XSE front-drive model (base price $43,695 plus $1,335 freight) for this report, the middle trim level, just below the Limited and two slots below the top-of-the-line Platinum model.
All Sienna versions come with the Toyota Hybrid System II, a combination of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with two electric motors, giving it 245 total horsepower and combined fuel economy of 36 mpg with front-wheel drive or 35 with the available all-wheel drive. The Sienna also comes with a continuously variable automatic transmission
This is not a plug-in hybrid, however, so, Toyota says, “There is no need to ever recharge the hybrid battery pack, and certainly no need to spend a couple of thousand dollars installing a battery charger in a garage. The Toyota Hybrid System II charges the hybrid battery automatically as the vehicle drives.”
With the fourth generation, the Platinum model was added to the lineup. It comes with a long list of standard features. The Platinum ($51,595, FWD; $52,355, AWD) has seating for up to seven, as did our XSE model, because of the twin middle-row captain’s chairs that replace the standard three-person bench. With the middle bench seat, the Sienna can carry up to eight passengers.
Other trim levels are the base, eight-passenger LE ($36,135, FWD; $38,1325, AWD); XLE FWD, seven- or eight-passenger ($41,445); seven-passenger XLE AWD ($43,445); seven-passenger XLE Woodland Edition AWD ($46,195); seven-passenger XSE AWD ($44,455); seven-passenger Limited FWD ($48,395), and seven-passenger Limited AWD ($50,395).
Standard features across the lineup include the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite of high-tech safety gear, such as automatic emergency braking; blind-spot monitoring; and a tow rating of up to 3,500 pounds.
Among premium features on the Platinum model are the kick-open and close sliding side doors and rear gate, four-zone climate control, heated second-row super-long slide captain’s chairs with ottomans, power tilt/telescopic steering column with heated steering wheel, optional digital rear-view mirror, 10-inch color head-up display, and 12-speaker JBL premium audio system with center-top-dash nine-inch touch screen.
Toyota says the “ultra-sporty” XSE model has the best look, with its dark 20-inch, split five-spoke wheels and aggressive front and rear bumpers.
The fourth-generation exterior design isn’t radically different from the previous generation’s, which is fine, as the previous model looked great. The changes to the Sienna overall are better described as upgrades and enhancements.
Toyota says it’s “Aiming to redefine the [minivan] segment” as the new Sienna is designed to “support a wider array of life stages and activities.” The new Sienna was designed and engineered in the United States, and it’s also assembled here.
The new front-end design was “inspired by the iconic Shinkansen Japanese Bullet Train,” giving it a sleeker appearance, Toyota said. The headlights are mounted high and stretched around to the sides, and there is a new, bolder lower grille, along with slim, high tech LED fog lights at the corners. At the rear there is a sculpted tailgate with an integrated spoiler.
Inside, there is a “modern instrument panel” with a large center touch display, lots of storage space, and the “Bridge Console,” which Toyota said “is the key to allocating personalized space to the driver and front passenger.”
It connects the instrument panel to the center armrest. It makes the shifter and other controls within easy reach, and includes cupholders, available wireless charger, and storage bins for smaller items.
Underneath the “bridge” is a large open storage area for items such as a purse or bag.
New (and included in our tester) are the “Super Long Slide” second-row captain chairs, which can slide up to 25 inches front to back, giving limousine-like legroom to the two middle passenger positions.
The Toyota Safety Sense system brings the Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection/Lowlight Detection, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Lane Trace Assist, automatic high beams, and Road Sign Assist.
There are 10 air bags, including driver and front passenger; driver’s knee bag; passenger seat cushion bag; front-seat side air bags; rear-outboard-seat side bags; and side-curtain air bags for all three rows.
Also included is Toyota’s Star Safety System, which brings Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control with Traction Control, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Brake Assist, Anti-lock Braking System, and Smart Stop Technology.
The new Sienna also comes with rear passenger seatbelt reminder and an electric parking brake, along with a rear occupant-detection system that warns the driver to check the rear seat for passengers and cargo when exiting the vehicle.
There are four selectable driving modes, including EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport. Sequential shifting allows the driver to “downshift” the CVT, which increases regenerative braking output.
Among the premium features included on our XSE tester were the hands-free open and close sliding side doors and power rear gate, and four-zone automatic climate control.
Our vehicle had the XSE Plus Package ($1,000), which added black roof rails, wireless smartphone charging, and premium audio with nine-inch touch screen, navigation, 12 JBL speakers, subwoofer and amplifier.
Also included on our XSE model were the Rear Seat Entertainment System ($1,415); 1,500-watt, 120-volt AC power inverter ($300), with two outlets; roof cross bars ($210); and carpeted floor mats ($300).
The power tilt/slide moon roof was standard on our XSE.
Even with our Sienna loaded with four passengers and lots of cargo, we had plenty of power from hybrid system, with noticeable extra torque on startup from the electric motor.
The tester came in the Cement exterior color.
Inside, the XSE came with SoftTex seating surfaces, with heated and power-adjustable front bucket seats.
The third row includes split-folding seatbacks that make it easy to expand the cargo compartment if the seat isn’t needed for passengers.
All four of our passengers, including the driver, had comfortable seats with plenty of knee, shoulder, head and legroom. The overall ride was cushy and never harsh.
There are lots of storage bins, trays and cupholders in all three rows to help keep gadgets plugged in and organized.
Total sticker price for our 2023 Sienna XSE FWD model was $48,215, including freight and options.
The automotive columns of G. Chambers Williams III have appeared regularly in the Express-News since 2000. Contact him at chambers@auto-writer.com or on Twitter @gchambers3. His driving partner Emma Jayne Williams contributed to this report.
2023 Toyota Sienna minivan
The package:
- Five-door, seven- or eight-passenger, rear- or all-wheel-drive, gasoline-electric hybrid-powered minivan.
Highlights:
Toyota’s popular minivan has been completely restyled and given a hybrid drive system, beginning with the 2021 model year. It’s loaded with safety, infotainment and comfort features to make it the ultimate family cruising vehicle.
- Engine/motor: 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder; electric drive motor.
- Transmission: Continuously variable automatic.
- Power/torque: 245 total horsepower; gasoline engine alone, 189 HP./176 foot-pounds.
- Length: 203.7 inches, except Woodland model, 204.1 inches.
- Curb weight range: 4,610-4,725 pounds.
- Brakes, front/rear: Disc/disc, antilock.
- Electronic stability control: Standard.
- Side air bags: Front seat-mounted; side curtain for all three rows.
- Cargo capacity: 33.5 cubic feet (behind third row); 75.2 cubic feet (behind second row); 101 cubic feet (with second and third rows folded down).
- EPA fuel economy: 36 mpg city/36 highway/36 combined (2WD); 35/36/35 (all-wheel drive).
- Fuel capacity/type: 18 gallons/unleaded regular.
- Major competitors: Chrysler Pacifica, Honda Odyssey, Kia Sedona.
- Base price range (2023): $36,135-$50,395, plus $1,335 freight.
- Price as tested: $48,215, including freight and options (2023 XSE front-wheel drive).
- On the Road rating: 9.1 (of a possible 10).