Pricing Revealed: 2021 Toyota Sienna Minivan Is Ready To Show Off Its New Hybrid Swagger

Toyota announced significant changes to its popular Sienna minivan, which is entering its fourth generation for the 2021 model year. The automaker says that the 2021 Sienna is all-new from the ground up, including the powertrain, which means a sleek new shape, a hybrid-only lineup and an innovative new interior layout.

The new Sienna’s aggressive stance is eye-catching, but its the under-the-hood updates Toyota that will win buyers amidst rivals in a somewhat floundering segment led by the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda’s Odyssey. Minivan sales barely crested 199,000 through September 2020. A slice of the midsize SUV category that includes the popular Ford Explorer and Jeep Grand Cherokee—which offers families a kid-hauling alternative to minivans—sold more than 732,000 units during the same period, according to MotorIntelligence.

That’s why big change is needed to draw attention to Toyota’s Sienna. For 2021, the whole lineup relies on a hybrid powertrain comprised of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor for a total system output rating of 245 horsepower. (All-wheel drive versions get an additional electric motor that powers the rear wheels on demand.) Toyota says that the powertrain can deliver an EPA-estimated 36 combined mpg, which is a segment best.

The system recharges as the vehicle moves by using regenerative braking, the intensity of which can be controlled by using the “shifters” in the cockpit. The hybrid system also contributes to the van’s ride characteristics by controlling torque to minimize jerky movements under acceleration and deceleration. On top of that, all Sienna versions are rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds, which is enough to pull a small boat or compact trailer with ease.

The Sienna has been offered with all-wheel drive for years now, but the introduction of a hybrid changes the way it works for the better. In place of a transfer case and additional driveshaft components, the van uses a single electric motor to apply torque to the rear wheels when needed. This functions behind the scenes and without driver input.

Once dubbed “The Swagger Wagon” alongside its last reboot in 2011, the new minivan’s style takes a few leaps forward. Its design draws inspiration from Japan’s famous bullet trains and features high-mounted headlights, thin LED fog lights and deeply sculpted sides. The sporty XSE trim comes with dark 20-inch wheels and more aggressive bodywork front and back.

Inside, a new “bridge console” sits high between the driver and front passenger and houses the shifter, cupholders and a small storage space. It’s open underneath for storage of large items such as a purse or small bag. The second-row seats are available with an extended sliding feature that allows them to move up to 25 inches front to rear and opens up the ability to use the optional new in-vehicle ottoman feature.

The 2021 Sienna will start at $35,635 after a $1,175 destination charge. The van is offered with two years or 25,000 miles of complimentary ToyotaCare, which covers factory scheduled maintenance as well as two years of unlimited-mileage roadside assistance. The new Sienna will arrive on dealer lots as early as November 2020.