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1 speed, CVT w/OD
Gas/Electric I-4
All Wheel Drive, Front Wheel Drive
Photo: Chris Teague
The Toyota Sienna competes in the Minivan market segment. According to data collected from verified new-vehicle buyers for the JD Power 2022 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, 65 percent of new Toyota Sienna buyers are male (vs. 63 percent for the segment), and the median age of a new Sienna buyer is 45 years (vs. 45).
As part of the APEAL Study, owners rated the Sienna in 10 primary categories. Listed below in descending order, you'll find their preferences, from their most favorite thing about the vehicle to their least favorite:
In the 2022 APEAL Study, the Sienna ranks 2nd out of five Minivan models.
In the following sections, our independent expert analyzes a Sienna Platinum equipped with the following options:
The test vehicle's price was $56,355, including the $1,335 destination charge.
Photo: Chris Teague
People love vehicles that look ready to tackle the great outdoors, and the new Sienna Woodland Edition fulfills that promise for family buyers—at least to a degree. The van gets increased ground clearance and updated interior electrics to support power outlets for camping and off-grid living. Toyota also offers exclusive colors for the trim.
Though it's not the most capable off-roader, Toyota hopes to capture some of the SUV market with the Sienna Woodland Edition. Its beefier ground clearance helps, but it's still only 6.9 inches—almost two inches short of what buyers get in the Subaru Crosstrek. The Woodland Edition's price tag also skews to the higher end of Sienna pricing, so the tradeoff might not be worth it for some buyers.
Buyers wanting an off-road-ready family hauler should look at the Jeep Grand Cherokee L or a similar vehicle that offers legitimate ground clearance and a more rugged attitude. While a nice thought, the Woodland Edition doesn't bring enough capability to be compelling as an SUV alternative.
Two kids in booster seats, an 80-pound dog, and two adults can put a strain on even the most capable vehicle, but the Toyota Sienna is up to the task. The large side doors with powered sliding action make it simple for kids and dogs to get in and out. Also, the van's friendly ride height helps achy middle-aged adults slide into the leather-bound seats without issue. The test vehicle had the optional second-row captain's chairs, which affords a few extra inches between kids and makes accessing the third row a breeze.
Powertrains and performance might not be top of mind for many minivan buyers, but the Sienna does a fine job around town and on the highway. It has a CVT, which doesn't afford much responsiveness or engagement. Still, the gearbox is one of the better units around and doesn't let the engine wail under heavy throttle. New England is out of winter at this point in the year, but there has been plenty of heavy rain and partially flooded roads. The van's AWD system helped it confidently conquer all of it.
Photo: Chris Teague
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2023 Toyota Sienna is a safe minivan. Indeed, both the FWD and AWD versions of the van received the highest-possible 5-star overall safety rating from the government agency.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently updated its rating system to include a more intense side-impact crash test. As a result, many models fell off the Top Safety Pick list with the move. Still, the Sienna remained, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating—the Institute's highest—for the 2023 calendar year. Only the Honda Odyssey matched its performance.
In IIHS testing, the 2023 Sienna's report card includes a "Good" score in the updated side-impact test. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 comes standard, bringing lane-departure warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and more. Higher trim levels add parking sensors and blind-spot warning.
The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid has more standard safety gear than the Sienna, but as this article was written, the IIHS hadn't subjected the Chrysler to the new testing regimen. To be fair, the 2023 Pacifica earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating for the 2022 calendar year, so there's a chance it could perform well in the new 2023 tests. The Kia Carnival also gets a load of safety gear and has yet to undergo the updated test.
The Toyota Sienna is a solid family hauler, but others in its class offer a more compelling package. The Honda Odyssey lacks a hybrid option, but its standard V6 provides strong acceleration and power. Plus, its interior is one of the most comfortable in any vehicle. It also offers removable second-row seats that increase cargo capacity, and its ride quality is fantastic.
The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is another solid alternative to the Toyota that brings all-electric range to the table. It's only available with FWD, but a good set of winter tires are all that stand between it and snow dominance.
A more recent marketplace arrival, the Kia Carnival offers more cargo space and is available with more luxurious interior finishes.
Though Toyota doesn't equip the same helpful tech that Honda and others do, it offers some nifty upgrades that make the van easier to live with. The two range-topping trims are available with a built-in vacuum cleaner—a move Honda made years ago. There's also Toyota's "Driver Easy Speak" system that makes it easier to yell at kids in the back. Still, the van lacks an in-cabin camera system like the one in the Honda Odyssey.
The Sienna's interior is upscale but lacks some of its competitors' innovative seating configurations. The second-row seats are not removable like the Honda and Chrysler vans, so there's less flexible storage. Toyota does equip sliding second-row seats that move more than two feet to enable better legroom or cargo space, depending on the need.
The Sienna provides 33.5 cubic feet of room behind the third-row seats and 75.2 behind the second row. With the back two rows folded flat, space climbs to 101 cubic feet. Though generous, that number is far short of the space provided by the Pacifica, which lands at 140.5 cubic feet.
Photo: Chris Teague
Toyota last gave the Sienna a complete overhaul for the 2021 model year, shifting it to a hybrid-only layout and giving it a more up-to-date interior that finally catches up to the best from Honda, Chrysler, and Kia. The hybrid powertrain and improved interior make the Sienna a compelling pick. That, combined with Toyota's legendary reputation for reliability, makes the Sienna a compelling option. Available AWD also makes the van a good choice for people in colder climates, such as New England, where surprise snowstorms can happen as late as May.
Toyota also generally does an excellent job with pricing and value, though the mid-range Sienna trims are better for penny pinchers. They offer most of the good stuff without reaching the nearly-$60,000 top-end price that my Sienna Platinum AWD test vehicle achieved. That said, the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid easily crests $61,000 before options, though it also comes with an all-electric driving range.
Ultimately, the midrange XSE trim is a good choice for Sienna buyers. It brings many desirable features, including more safety gear, without breaking the bank. All-wheel drive is a must in some areas of the country, and the van's stellar safety scores should put it high on any minivan shopper's list.
That said, there are better choices in the segment that bring more cargo space or more powerful engines. Even so, Toyota did a good job updating the van's tech and cabin to align it more with competitors that have been closer to the cutting edge for years.
Chris Teague is an experienced writer in the automotive and technology fields. In addition to JDPower.com, his work appears at Forbes, The Drive, Your Test Driver, and others.
