Toyota Sienna Review: Is it the Ultimate Family Minivan?

From the perspective of a dad tasked with the hefty duty of driving, the ‘minivan’ genre is unrivaled when considering a vehicle for a family of five or more. The Kia Carnival virtually monopolizes the domestic minivan market. However, the Carnival only comes with a 2.2-liter diesel and a 3.5-liter gasoline powertrain, and their combined fuel efficiency is not particularly impressive, at 13.1km per liter and 9.1km per liter, respectively. Moreover, the second-row ride, which feels like a passenger van, has long been criticized.

In Japan, a country not far from ours, the minivan market is much more developed, with various models ranging from compact to large luxury minivans. Among them, Toyota, renowned for its hybrid technology, has a flagship minivan called the ‘Sienna.’ The Sienna may lack sophistication, but its superior fuel efficiency and second-row ride are its main selling points. This year, we took a closer look at the Toyota Sienna, a seven-seater minivan now in its fourth generation, through a test drive.

■Why Buy a Minivan…A Spacious Space to Enjoy with Family

The Toyota Sienna may be a minivan, but it’s not modest in appearance. It maintains practicality and comfort while asserting its presence with sharp eyes and a massive grille seen in its flagship sedan, the ‘Camry.’ The design preserves the Toyota feel with a front Full LED headlamp that extends to the side, and the side features robust character lines to add personality. The test vehicle is an AWD model with 17-inch alloy wheels, hinting at a focus on ride comfort over style.

The vehicle size is 203.7 inches in length, 78.5 inches in width, 69.8 inches in height, and the wheelbase is 120.5 inches. It is 0.8 inches longer than its competitor, the Carnival, but the wheelbase is 1.2 inches shorter. The main reason we chose a minivan is, of course, its spacious interior. The Sienna’s first row adopts a driver-centered horizontal structure, and the fact that there are four cup holders in the center fascia alone, with two more on each door, tells you what this car is all about. The overall feel may not be as sleek as modern cars, but it focuses on practicality, so there’s no discomfort.

As a minivan model, the Sienna focuses on the comfort of the second-row passengers. With the Super Long Slide Seat, which can move up to 24.6 inches back and forth, the space can be utilized in various ways. Add the reclining feature, fold the third-row seat, and push it all the way back, and you can experience the utmost comfort. Most large SUVs have a third row that is hard for adult males to sit in, but this is not the case with minivans. The fact that the third-row seat can adjust the backrest angle is a reason to choose a minivan.

■A Surprising Ride that Doesn’t Feel Like a Minivan…2nd Row Ride is Amazing!

When you sit in the driver’s seat of the Sienna and press the start button, the dashboard needle moves, but there’s no reaction. Those unfamiliar with hybrids (HEV) might wonder if the engine has started. Thanks to Toyota’s proud HEV technology, you can enjoy the privilege of low noise and low vibration. The electronic four-wheel drive E-Four system applied to the test car appropriately distributes torque to the rear wheels depending on the driving situation. This provided a stable ride in cornering situations and on slippery roads.

What’s most surprising is the second-row ride and the skill of going over speed bumps. The robust lower body feel is particularly impressive. Even if you go over a steep speed bump without caution, it doesn’t jolt like you’re driving a sedan; it’s stable, and the suspension quickly finds its place. The Sienna applies the TNGA platform to lower the center of gravity and increase body rigidity. With the trailing arm applied to the double wishbone suspension, it’s a jack-of-all-trades that also takes care of the second and third-row ride. The Toyota Safety Sense, which assists safe driving and prevents accidents, smartly handles emergency braking assistance, dynamic cruise control, and lane tracking assist.

■They’ve Put a Hybrid on a 2.5-ton Four-Wheel Drive Minivan! What’s the Fuel Efficiency?

The Sienna’s biggest weapon is its HEV powertrain, which combines a 2.5-liter gasoline engine with an electric motor. It delivers a maximum output of 246 horsepower and a torque of 24.1 kg·m, and it is released in two trims, 2WD and AWD. The model we tested was the AWD, but the most anticipated part is undoubtedly the fuel efficiency. After setting the driving mode to ‘Eco’ and driving a round trip of about 62 miles from Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, to Jamsil, Seoul, the recorded fuel efficiency was 44.4 miles per gallon. That’s an astonishing fuel efficiency for a minivan weighing nearly 2.2 tons.

This time, we switched the driving mode to ‘Sports’ and gave it a go. There isn’t much of a dramatic change in the driving feel. The fuel efficiency dropped slightly to 41.9 miles per gallon. The 2.5-liter gasoline engine of the Sienna is not entirely noiseless when accelerating with force. Mainly, due to the characteristic of the minivan’s shape, the engine room is close to the driver’s seat. However, not many people would enjoy a sporty drive with this car. If you want to enjoy a calm drive with your family and enjoy the spacious space and excellent fuel efficiency, this is the perfect choice.

The selling price of the Sienna is $59,500 for the AWD model with fewer convenience specifications and $64,100 for the 2WD model with full options.

By. Shin Dong Min