Toyota Sienna

Toyota Sienna Overview

Toyota has introduced the all-new 2021 Toyota Sienna to the North American Market, featuring an all-new design with a whole host of new technologies and features.

Distant American cousin to the Toyota Estima, the Toyota Sienna is North America’s very own version of Toyota’s 7-seater (or 8-seater depending on configuration) MPV, or the minivan as the Americans call it. It goes up against competitions like the Honda Odyssey, Ford Galaxy (Ford S-Max), Volkswagen Sharan and the Chrysler Pacifica in the states.

The new massive lower grille resembles the one found on the Toyota Camry and similarity does not just stop there. They now share Toyota’s raved TNGA-K platform with improved stability and rigidity.

Toyota Sienna Design

Inspired by the shape of the Japanese bullet train, a.k.a the Shinkansen, the front fascia of the new Toyota Sienna exerts road presence. Four trims level on offer are the base LE, XL, XSE, Limited and the Platinum which come with all the bells and whistle.

Apart from the imposing lower front grille, the slim L shaped headlight combined with the narrow upper grilled accentuate the front’s split X-shape design, much like the design cues found on the more premium Lexus cars.

Towards the sides, the inherent boxy shape of the MPV is cleverly camouflaged with dynamic creases and strong body lines that appears to carry on beyond the D-pillars and seamlessly integrate with the taillights.

The railings for the sliding doors are neatly hidden beneath the rear quarter window, unlike the unsightly railings tracks that runs along the back the NIssan Serena and the Honda Odyssey which disrupt the side profile design.

Around the back, the arrow-shaped taillights come with black fins that Toyota claims to improve aerodynamics. The deliberate sculpted shape of the tailgate with the integrated spoiler bear resemblance to the complex rear design of the Toyota Camry, again masking the boxy shape of an MPV.

Toyota Sienna Dimension

In terms of size, the Toyota Sienna trumps its competition by some margin. To put it in perspective, compared to the full-size MPV available on this side of our shore like the Toyota Alphard and the Toyota Vellfire, the Toyota Sienna is lower but is 229 mm longer and 144 mm wider than its already large Asian cousins. The new exterior design does a great job in hiding its true size.

Toyota Sienna Interior

The interior design of the Toyota Sienna sees a drastic departure from its predecessor. The dual tone finished dashboard is tastefully designed with the centre console slightly oriented towards the driver. An elevated hollowed central tunnel, or the Bridge console as Toyota would like to call it, creates a distinct split front cabin for the driver and the front passenger.

9-inch touchscreen infotainment system takes centre stage and comes as standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The controls and buttons on the cetre console are noticeably less busy and minimalistic in design. All variant gets leather-wrapped steering wheel except for the base LE variant.

Being an MPV, the Toyota Sienna is a proper people carrier. The interior is now more spacious and luxurious than ever before. The base LE and XL variant comes with eight fabric seats and a removable centre second-row seat while the XSE, Limited and Platinum variant come with seven seats featuring second-row captain’s seats and options for ottomans on the two highest trim level.

XSE variant get SofTex® (synthetic leather) trimmed seats while the two highest trim level gets genuine leather except for the third row 60:40 split seats, which also get the SofTex® treatment.

Toyota Sienna Features

9-inch touchscreen infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM digital radio, six speakers, seven USB ports and Toyota Connected Services with Safety Connect comes as standard across all variants.  

Toyota Audio Plus on the XLE adds two speakers, HD radio and WiFi connectivity. Stepping up to the XSE variant, you get Toyota Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation while the Limited and Platinum variants get the 12 JBL audio speakers with subwoofer and amplifier.

Options include Qi wireless smartphone charging, a digital rear-view mirror, a rear 11.6-inch entertainment display with HDMI input and twin wireless headphones and a 10-inch colour head-up display (HUD) available on the Platinum variant only.

Remote keyless entry system with Push Button Start comes as standard across all variants, as well as the dual power sliding doors. However, from XL trim onwards, you also get the hands-free function for the power sliding door for added convenience.

Safety comes courtesy of Toyota’s enhanced Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 which comes equipped as standard across all variants. Safety features includes Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w PD), Full Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Automatic High Beam (AHB), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Road Sign Assist (RSA), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) and 10 airbags.

The Toyota Sienna also features a comprehensive Star Safety System® which includes Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Smart Stop Technology (SST).

Toyota Sienna Driving Performance

Engine

All variants are powered by a hybrid powertrain, which consists of a 2.5 litre Dynamic Force naturally aspirated VVT-iE four-cylinder engine, producing 189 PS on its own, and an electric motor that bumps the total hybrid system output to 248 PS.

The Toyota Sienna is predominantly a front-wheel-drive car with available all-wheel drive mode utilising the second electric motor on the rear axle. Four different driving modes, namely Normal, Eco, EV and Sport, alters the throttle mapping and engine response.

NORMAL mode, as the name implies, is the default mode that uses the hybrid drivetrain for standard everyday driving on city streets and highways. In ECO mode, the Toyota Sienna will maximize efficiency to get as much mileage as it can from the fuel and the battery. EV mode uses complete electric power at lower speeds for short distances while SPORT mode packs the drive with a bit more oomph, giving the hybrid powertrain an extra push for even better acceleration.

Transmission

Power is sent to the front wheels via an electronically controlled Continuously Variable

Transmission (ECVT) with sequential shift mode, which is able to simulate stepped gears in conventional automatic transmission.

Toyota Sienna Ride Comfort

Based on Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA-K) with increased body rigidity and optimised sound insulation, the Toyota Sienna is quieter and more refined than ever before. The chassis features optimised geometry and trailing arm multi-link rear suspension replacing the old-fashioned twist-beam rear axle, which Toyota claims to provide a more intuitive driving experience and a more balanced ride especially over rough surface.

As with most hybrid vehicles, the new Toyota Sienna features regenerative braking feature to recharge the hybrid battery. In the Toyota, the system works about as well as others but can get a bit grabby at low speeds, such as when parking or when maneuvering around tight spaces.

Toyota Sienna Fuel Consumption

Official rated fuel economy of the Toyota Sienna in the US is 36 city/36 highway/36 combined EPA-est. mpg. In other words, the combined fuel consumption is 6.5 L/100km, which is rather impressive for a full size MPV.

Predictive Efficient Drive (PED) feature analyses driver’s driving style and memorised road and traffic conditions to provide driving guidance, further help in reducing fuel and energy consumption.

Toyota Sienna Conclusion

In the United States where family SUVs are dominating the family car market, the all-new 2021 Toyota Sienna aims to challenge the status quo. Equipped with the latest safety technologies in the form of Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, paired with a whole host of modern creature comforts like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Toyota may just have the right contender for the job. The new Toyota Sienna is spacious, practical, comfortable, efficient and can also be luxurious with the right options ticked. Its might not offer the best ride and handling compared to some of its competitor, but the Toyota Sienna certainly lives up to its name as a modern-day family MPV.