Toyota’s Sienna has been a stalwart of the minivan landscape since Toyota first introduced the nameplate in 1998 as a replacement for the oddly styled Previa. This new fourth-generation model debuted for the 2021 model year after the ten-year run of the previous generation (an eternity in the auto world). 

This new model has a lot of catching up to do, as the minivan segment—while not as big as crossovers and SUVs—has gotten significantly more competitive in just the last few years. Chrysler, who invented the minivan, has continued to refine its Pacifica, offering a plug-in hybrid version, the innovative Stow ‘N Go folding seats, and the recent addition of optional AWD. In addition, Kia recently came out swinging with its crisp new Carnival (replacing the staid Sedona), and Honda’s Odyssey has aged very well with a new version expected to launch soon. 

After more than a decade of looking at its predecessor’s styling, the bold and sculpted design of the new fourth-generation Sienna is a refreshing change. This is the Limited trim, which starts at just under $48,000.  Toyota

With all of this in mind, Toyota leaned on one of its key strengths across the industry— hybrids— to strengthen its appeal. This new 2021 model ditches the previous generation’s 296-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 in favor of a hybrid setup: a pair of electric motors with 134-kW combined output conspire with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine for a combined 245 horsepower. (AWD drive models get an additional 40 kW motor with 89 pound-feet of torque to drive the rear wheels in all-wheel drive mode.)  

The switch does wonders for the new Sienna’s fuel economy, vaulting it head and shoulders above everything else in the segment (save for Chrysler’s Pacifica plug-in hybrid). But as we’ve mentioned, the downside is the 2021 Sienna hybrid feels a little less eager than you’d hope for in a large vehicle like this; passing situations on the freeway and onramps now make the Sienna work harder than we’d like. The efficiency-minded CVT (constantly variable transmission) doesn’t help matters either.  

The rest of the Sienna’s driving experience was a pleasant one. This is certainly a vehicle that can gobble up highway miles with aplomb so prepare your road trips accordingly. Road and wind noise are nicely controlled, the ride quality is comfortable without being mushy or ponderous, and the brakes have a responsive feel.

Front-wheel-drive remains standard, while all-wheel-drive adds between $300 and $2,000 to the price, depending on the trim (the higher the trim, the less the option costs). That AWD option has long set the Sienna apart from the rest of the minivan segment, giving buyers in colder climes a compelling alternative to a large SUV. Only recently did Chrysler add AWD as an option, but Kia and Honda still do not. 

The Sienna comes in a sport-oriented XSE version. The powertrain remains unchanged, but this model ups the fun quotient with a sport-tuned suspension, plus unique alloy wheels, and a more aggressive front bumper design, seen here.  Toyota

The Sienna now offers five trims: LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum (which we tested). The base LE comes standard with eight-passenger seating—which is optional on the XLE—while the rest of the lineup seats seven: two up front, two in captain’s chairs in the middle row, and three in the rear seats. 

Every seat in the house is a spacious and comfortable one. In addition, models with the captain’s chairs in the middle row allow those seats to slide fore and aft to an astonishing degree, giving users significant flexibility in where and how they use those seats—a key reason people buy minivans in the first place. 

Our Platinum trim test model even had Toyota’s FridgeBox cooler in between the two middle row seats, but while functional, it took up way too much space. On the other hand, we love the trend—started by Honda—of equipping minivans with built-in vacuums for errant Cheerio duty. 

Cargo space trails all its competitors, measuring 33.5, 75.2 and 101 cubic feet behind the third, second, and first row of seats, respectively. The Odyssey, for instance, offers 32.8, 89.2 and 144.9 cubes in the same measures. 

We had some other nitpicks with the interior too. There’s some cheap hard plastic used throughout the cabin that will likely scuff up easily and age poorly, especially when faced with childhood. The infotainment screen already looks outdated thanks to poor resolution and aged graphics (Chrysler’s UConnect system has aged well by comparison). And you wouldn’t know it to look at the Sienna and all its glass areas (known as the greenhouse), but rear visibility isn’t great when driving this generation Sienna. 

The interior of the 2021 Sienna is quiet, comfortable, and spacious. Yet the navigation and infotainment screen felt surprisingly outdated—and small—for an all-new generation of vehicle.  Toyota 

Trim walk: 

The base Sienna LE starts at $35,635 (including $1215 destination). Standard features include 17-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, dual power sliding doors, backup camera, cloth seats, 60/40 split and folding rear bench seat, keyless entry, three-zone climate control, second-row sunshades, seven USB ports, a nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa connectivity and Sirius XM satellite radio. Standard safety kit includes forward collision alerts and braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind spot warning and rear cross traffic warning.

The XLE starts at $40,925 and adds LED fog lamps, moonroof, hands-free feature on power-sliding doors, faux leather seats, second-row captain’s chairs, an eight-way power driver’s seat and four-way power front passenger seat, heated front seats, leather-trimmed steering wheel, keyless start, four-zone climate control, power liftgate and parking sensors. 

The XSE starts at $43,175 and adds to the XLE features like 20-inch alloy wheels, sport seats, a premium audio system with navigation and a sport-tuned suspension. 

The Limited starts at $47,875 and adds goodies like 18-inch alloy wheels, leather-trimmed seats, heated and ventilated front seats, third-row sunshades, JBL audio system with 12 speakers, seven-inch color digital driver’s display and wireless phone charging. 

Finally, the Platinum that we tested started at $51,075. It adds 20-inch alloy wheels, a 360-degree parking camera, a heated steering wheel and rain-sensing wipers. 

As we’ve mentioned, the Sienna’s 101 cubic feet of cargo space is down quite a bit from its peers: the Chrysler Pacifica maxes out at 140 cubic feet and the Kia Carnival and Honda Odyssey at 145 cubic feet. The good news is, passenger volume is on par with the rest of the segment. 

All of these minivans offer more engine horsepower than the Sienna— but equal towing capabilities at 3,500 pounds—and significantly worse gas mileage than the Sienna. The Chrysler Pacifica, of course, is a plug-in hybrid, offering up to 32 miles of electric-only range. However, the Sienna beats it in overall range, providing 600 miles of travel between fuel stops to the Pacifica’s 520-mile estimated range.  

 The removable center cushion fills the gap between the rear seats, turning the seven-seater into an eight-seater.  Toyota

Seating is a mixed bag in the Sienna, compared to its peers. It lacks the nifty Stow N’ Go of the Chrysler Pacifica—which lets you quickly flip and fold the middle row of seats into the floor—or gives you a healthy bit of under-floor cargo space when the seats are in use. This is better than the other minivans in this segment, including the Sienna, which requires you to lug out the heavy seats individually and then store them someplace when they’re not needed. 

However, the Sienna’s middle seats can slide fore and aft by quite a bit, more so than the Honda or Kia middle seats. The trick up the Honda’s sleeve? Its middle seats can also slide side-to-side. 

The list of standard and available features on the Sienna is roughly on par with the rest of the segment, both in terms of in-car comfort items and active safety tech. Like its peers, the Sienna offers high-end add-ons like an interior camera to monitor your kiddos, a built-in vacuum, a voice-amplification system so the third row can hear you better, and an in-car entertainment system with HDMI inputs and wireless headphones.