Toyota Sienna

The Toyota Sienna is a minivan that offers seating for up to eight passengers. It’s the only minivan in the manufacturer’s lineup, and it shares a platform and some components with the Highlander, a midsize crossover SUV. Its most recent (fourth) generation debuted in 2021, featuring revised styling and a hybrid-only powertrain with improved fuel efficiency. Properly equipped, it can tow up to 3,500 pounds.

Toyota offers the Sienna in a range of trims, including the L, LE, SE, XLE, Limited, and Platinum. The entry-level L and LE trims offer basic amenities, while the sportier SE is equipped similarly but offers more aggressive styling and unique suspension tuning. Higher trims such as the XLE and Limited offer more luxury features, such as leather seating and premium audio systems. The 2021 redesign saw the addition of the new top-of-the-line Platinum trim, which boasts premium safety and convenience features.

The third-generation Sienna (2011-2020) utilizes a 3.5-liter V6 engine, which was upgraded from 266 to 296 horsepower in 2017. That’s also the year its automatic transmission was upgraded from six to eight speeds. Power is routed to the front wheels unless the model is equipped with available all-wheel drive. The Sienna’s 2021 redesign brought a major change with the introduction of a hybrid-only powertrain, which combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with two electric motors for a total of 245 hp, returning an EPA-estimated 36 mpg combined. The hybrid powertrain employs a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and also offers either front- or all-wheel drive.

In 2015, Toyota began offering an upgraded 7-inch touchscreen on the SE, XLE, and Limited trims in place of the standard 6.1-inch unit. In 2020, the automaker further added standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration and made an even larger 8-inch touchscreen available on the XLE and Limited trims. Fourth-gen Siennas (2021-present) boast a standard 9-inch touchscreen. Toyota introduced its Safety Sense suite in the 2016, adding advanced features such as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. These features became standard on all Sienna models in 2018.

We recommend that used car shoppers consider a 2018 or newer Toyota Sienna to take advantage of its improved powertrain and additional safety features. However, if fuel efficiency is a priority, a fourth-gen Sienna (2021-present) with its hybrid powertrain is the best choice. In terms of trims, the XLE or Limited versions offer a good balance of luxury and convenience features.