Leave it to Toyota, the pioneer in hybrid technology, to combine AWD with a hybrid powertrain to transform their three-row Sienna minivan into an impressive and economical family hauler.
As such, you wouldn’t think a large, heavy minivan with fuel consuming AWD would garner impressive EPA mileage ratings of 35 city, 36-highway mpg. But Toyota accomplished it with their proven hybrid system.
As a family-oriented minivan, the 2023 Sienna has received accolades ranging from a Best Minivan Buy in 2023 to a Best Resale Value Award. Car and Driver magazine recently gave it their “First Place” award when comparing it to Kia’s Carnival, Honda Odyssey and Chrysler Pacifica, the top sellers in the minivan market.
Sienna is offered in LE, XLE, XSE AWD, rugged Woodland Special Edition with higher ground clearance, and to celebrate its 25-year run, a 25th Anniversary Special Edition. Over this time, Toyota sold over 2.2 million Sienna’s.
We were privileged to test the XSE AWD version that in itself has a sleek, stylish design sporting a massive Lexus-type grill, large air ducts, and LED head and running lights. The back end has a slight spoiler on the liftgate and a narrower grill below the bumper line.
Sienna has a family-friendly interior with the third row allowing seating for up to eight, or seven in our AWD tester. All rows are comfy and access to the third row is easy as the second-row captain’s chairs slide well forward. The second row also reclines. On the back seat ceiling is a 11.6-inch video display where the kids can watch movies on long trips.
The cockpit features a 9-inch infotainment display serving the usual gamut of audio, rearview camera, satellite radio, Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity, climate selections, apps including weather and traffic apps, and more.
A vertical phone charger nestles nicely within the console as does the burly gear selector and a mode selector for EV Sport, EV Eco and EV modes. The latter allows operating on battery power alone for short distances. While acceleration is linear in fashion, sport mode livens the power surge when needed to pass an 18-wheeler.
Beneath the console is a thoughtful tray to stow a purse, small backpack or other small items in this otherwise wasted space.
The gauge cluster is analog and in place of a tachometer is a power gauge showing Charge, Eco and Power. Keeping the needle in the Eco zone provides the best fuel economy. There’s also a driver information display within the speedometer for alerts and functions.
The XSE came with hands-free power liftgate and sliding side doors provided the fob is in a driver’s hand or pocket. It’s a convenient feature to have especially when holding a child, or packages and gear in the cargo area.
Speaking of the cargo area, that has a low 24.5-inch lift over, and with the third row upright, there’s a full-width, 12-inch deep bin for grocery bags or luggage. By pulling two nylon straps on the back of the seats, they assist in lowering the seatbacks into the bin to create a flat cargo area that offers 52 inches of loading depth for 33.5 cubic feet of storage. Slide the second-row seats completely forward and depth increases to 72 inches for 101 cubic feet.
Sienna’s ultra-efficient powertrain begins with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that sinks-up to an electric motor for a combined 245 net hp. It couples to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) for outstanding EPA mileage ratings of the aforementioned 35 city, 36-highway mpg. It also carries a tow rating of up to 3,500 pounds.
So how does Sienna ride? Exceptionally smooth and quiet on 18-inch Bridgestone tires. Our XSE model came with a sport tuned suspension that gave it impressive handling manners for a minivan. Sienna is also easy to park with its rearview camera system and a relatively tight turn circle of 38.8 feet.
Safety wise, Sienna came standard with Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.0 that offers pre-collision system w/pedestrian detection, full-speed radar cruise control, lane departure alert w/steering assist, lane tracing assist, road sign assist, auto high beams, blind spot monitor, front/rear parking assist w/auto brake and more. Oh, and a sun roof is also included.
Sienna XSE AWD carried a base price of $43,705 to which was added a rear seat entertainment system with a pair of wireless headphones ($1,475), 1500 watt inverter with two 120v AC outlets ($300), Ruby Flare Chateau paint ($425), XSE Plus package with JBL audio, wireless charger, black roof rails ($1,000) black cross bars ($210), carpeted floor mats ($260) all of which that took the bottom line to $48,650 with delivery.
