2019 Toyota Sienna Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　

What's new

Amazon Alexa functionality and Apple CarPlay come standardAll-wheel drive optional on SE trimsPart of the third-generation Sienna introduced for 2011

　　Somewhere on the automotive timeline, owning a minivan changed from smart and sensible family transportation to an admission of suburban defeat, a shift in attitude that in part explains the popularity of crossover SUVs. That's a shame really since a minivan like the 2019 Toyota Sienna offers features such as sliding side doors, easy entry and exit, and massive interior space that just make life easier for active families.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Toyota Sienna CE Fleet Cargo Van 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$168/mo  for Sienna CE Fleet Cargo Van

　　Sienna CE Fleet Cargo Van

　　CE Fleet Cargo Van 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $29,190 MSRPL 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $31,115 MSRPLE 8-Passenger 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $33,935 MSRPLE 7-Passenger Mobility 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $33,945 MSRPLE 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan AWD (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $36,475 MSRPXLE 8-Passenger 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 8A) (Most Popular) - $37,265 MSRPSE 8-Passenger 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $37,265 MSRPSE 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan AWD (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $38,770 MSRPXLE 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan AWD (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $39,695 MSRPLE 7-Passenger Mobility Auto Access 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $39,860 MSRPXLE Premium 8-Passenger 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $40,955 MSRPSE Premium 8-Passenger 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $43,360 MSRPXLE Premium 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan AWD (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $43,385 MSRPXLE 7-Passenger Mobility Auto Access 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $43,400 MSRPLimited 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $44,010 MSRPLimited 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan AWD (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $45,370 MSRPSE Premium 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan AWD (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $44,865 MSRPLimited Premium 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $47,530 MSRPLimited Premium 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan AWD (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $48,890 MSRP

　　vs

　　$203/mo

　　Avg. Large Minivan

　　The Sienna's stout V6 gives it the power of a comparable SUV, and its eight-speed transmission helps maximize fuel economy. The Sienna has long held an edge on its rivals by offering optional all-wheel drive, and for 2019 that option expands to its sporty SE trim level as well.

　　The Sienna can seat up to eight passengers inside, although optional second-row captain's chairs mean more room for seven passengers to spread out. For 2019, the Sienna also gets a tech upgrade with Amazon Alexa voice-assistant integration, as well as Apple CarPlay. The latter is a welcome addition since it gives iPhone owners a way to largely bypass using Toyota's otherwise mediocre Entune infotainment system.

　　The Sienna remains a solid choice, but it's one of the oldest minivan designs on the road. Its last redesign was in 2011, while key competitors including the Honda Odyssey, Kia Sedona and Chrysler Pacifica all boast newer and more modern designs.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

7.3 / 10

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Toyota Sienna Limited Premium (3.5L V6 | 8-speed automatic | FWD).

　　

Scorecard

Overall	7.3 / 10
Driving	7.0
Comfort	7.5
Interior	7.5
Utility	8.0
Technology	7.0

　　

Driving

7.0

　　This 3.5-liter V6 allows the Sienna to keep pace with the quickest minivans on the market, though the transmission's operations sometimes leave a little to be desired. The Sienna leans a lot when going around turns, but this attribute is shared by all minivans.

　　

Acceleration

8.0

　　There's enough power for your typical driving situations, and the V6 engine feels quite lively at full throttle. We clocked a 0-60 mph sprint of 7.8 seconds, which is respectably quick for a family hauler.

　　

Braking

7.5

　　The Sienna slows down smoothly thanks to fairly soft pedal action and linear braking force. It's perfect for the sort of stop-and-go driving you do around town. We recorded an emergency-stopping distance from 60 mph in 132 feet, which is an acceptable result for the class.

　　

Steering

6.5

　　Some road feedback transmits through the steering wheel, but otherwise the wheel is lifeless. Effort is light and lacks natural buildup. There's also no increased effort at higher speeds, which would aid stability.

　　

Handling

7.0

　　The Sienna exhibits noticeable body roll when you hustle it through turns. You'll need to slow down to keep your passengers happy. The Sienna SE, with its sport-tuned suspension, is more stable along twisty roads.

　　

Drivability

6.5

　　When cold, the eight-speed transmission in our test vehicle revved the engine higher than expected when accelerating from a stop. This tendency subsided largely after the engine and transmission had warmed up. Also, we noticed the transmission was sometimes reluctant to downshift on uphill grades. Otherwise, the Sienna is easy to drive.

　　

Comfort

7.5

　　The seats are initially comfortable and supportive, but long stints reveal pressure points. The ride is serene, though considerable levels of road and wind noise disrupt an otherwise relaxed experience. The climate controls work well to keep the entire cabin at a pleasant temperature.

　　

Seat comfort

7.5

　　The cushy seats are covered with soft, compliant leather. Some of our drivers had trouble remaining comfortable on longer trips, and found themselves making adjustments along the way. The extendable second-row leg rests are a nice touch.

　　

Ride comfort

9.0

　　The Sienna glides down the highway, offering a supremely comfortable ride. It can get a little unsettled if you hit a bump in the middle of a turn, but that's the only real knock against it.

　　

Noise & vibration

6.5

　　There's a great deal of wind and road noise, especially at highway speeds. Aside from full throttle, you don't hear the V6 much. The climate control system's gale-force winds produce an extraordinary din. We also experienced some trim rattles in this test vehicle that weren't present in previous Siennas we tested.

　　

Climate control

8.5

　　Tri-zone climate control is standard across all trims, with vents above the rear outboard passengers. The heated steering wheel delivers effective heat, and the heated front seats get quite toasty on the highest setting. The perforated upholstery breathes adequately, but ventilation would be ideal.

　　

Interior

7.5

　　The Sienna offers great visibility and, unsurprisingly for a minivan, excellent points of entry and exit for all seats. There's a surprising lack of headroom in the second and third rows due to the tapered roofline, but the most egregious oversight has to be the Sienna's poorly arranged controls.

　　

Ease of use

5.0

　　Many controls are awkwardly located, especially those for the rear entertainment system. The seat heater switches are hard for the passenger to reach with the dash-mounted cupholders deployed. The voice projection feature, which amplifies the driver's voice, is buried in touchscreen menus.

　　

Getting in/getting out

8.5

　　Entry and exit through any door is a cinch. We caution those who use the armrests to hoist themselves out of the rear seats that these armrests are a bit flimsy. Exiting the third row is fairly simple — use the strap or grab handle on the bottom of a second-row seat to slide it forward. The seats are really heavy, though.

　　

Driving position

8.5

　　The driver's seat offers a wide range of vertical adjustment to accommodate a variety of body types. The front of the seat bottom tilts up high enough to provide thigh support for taller drivers. The steering wheel doesn't tilt or telescope much, so you might not be able to reach an ideal position.

　　

Roominess

7.0

　　There's an ample amount of room up front, and the second-row seats slide all the way to the third row, though a sloping roofline reduces headroom the farther you go back. There's enough legroom in the third row to accommodate adults, though taller individuals might find headroom a bit limited.

　　

Visibility

9.0

　　The massive windshield and large windows provide an expansive view outward. The rear pillars aren't overly bulky, so you still have a wide view of the area directly behind you. The beltline rises a bit by the third-row windows but doesn't compromise the three-quarter rear view.

　　

Quality

7.0

　　The interior of our top-trim test Sienna feels comparable to a Chrysler Pacifica or Kia Sedona and about a half-step behind the Honda Odyssey. We didn't detect any creaks or rattles on the van we tested, but the same can't be said for every version of this generation we've tested.

　　

Utility

8.0

　　The Sienna's cargo capacity behind the third row is expansive. The power-folding seat controls are located on a panel just below the top of the hatch; it's easy to knock your forehead against it while loading cargo. The front door pockets are low and hard to reach.

　　

Small-item storage

9.0

　　Twelve cupholders are placed throughout the Sienna. Most notable are the two pop-out holders on the dash and two behind the center console that can slide and extend back to reach second-row occupants. The center bin in front is deep, and the third row has two decent-size bins.

　　

Cargo space

9.0

　　The load floor is almost flat with the third row folded. A low cargo liftover height helps during loading of items. The Sienna boasts excellent cargo volume. Controls for the power-folding seats are located on a panel just below the top of the hatch, a less-than-ideal location.

　　

Child safety seat accommodation

7.0

　　The second-row seats slide fore and aft without having to remove installed child seats, which is great. The seats are very heavy to slide, which is not great. The LATCH anchors are well-placed, but the leather surrounding them is rigid and requires manipulation to push aside. Tethers are hidden at the base of the seatbacks.

　　

Technology

7.0

　　The user interface is intuitive, even though the touchscreen's graphics are unappealing. Device integration upgrades and driver aid standardization have brought the Sienna up to par with competitive vans.

　　

Audio & navigation

6.5

　　The infotainment is simple enough to operate, but the touchscreen resolution is low, the screen washes out in direct sunlight, and the interface isn't particularly attractive. The rear entertainment display is a drop-down widescreen that can display one video across or two with a split-view screen.

　　

Smartphone integration

7.0

　　The 2019 model has better device integration than when this generation debuted in 2017. Up front, you'll find one USB port and an HDMI port. In back are two more USB ports. The good news is Apple CarPlay is now available. Android phone users are still out of luck.

　　

Driver aids

6.5

　　Toyota Safety Sense is standard on all Sienna trim levels. Features include pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist, automatic high beams and adaptive cruise control. All aids function just OK, but adaptive cruise shuts off at 25 mph, so you can't use it in stop-and-go traffic.

　　

Voice control

7.0

　　The Entune system asks for commands using a set of predetermined phrases, but it does understand some natural speech. CarPlay is available for connected iPhones. Driver Easy Speak projects the driver's voice through the rear speakers. It's useful for when the kids become unruly.

　　

Which Sienna does zzdcar recommend?

　　While we don't think you should buy a minivan for its sporting value (bit of a contradictory impulse), the Sienna SE is our pick. It offers the same features as the lower LE trim, which include tri-zone climate control, power-sliding side doors, and a Wi-Fi hotspot, but it adds sportier styling and handling, leather upholstery, heated front seats and a power liftgate. The SE is also now available with all-wheel drive.

　　

2019 Toyota Sienna models

　　The 2019 Toyota Sienna minivan comes in five main trim levels: L, LE, SE, XLE and Limited. The SE, the XLE and the Limited are further available in Premium subtrims. The base L come well stocked with the essentials, while the LE, SE and XLE trims add more premium features. The SE also has a sportier design. Topping the range is the Limited, which comes with nearly every Sienna feature as standard. Toyota also offers a mobility-enhanced Sienna (LE and XLE) with a power-operated Auto Access Seat.

　　All Sienna trims come with a 3.5-liter V6 engine (296 horsepower, 263 pound-feet of torque) paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is optional on every trim level except the L. Depending on the configuration and trim, the Sienna seats either seven or eight passengers.

　　Standard features for the base L include 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, a wiper de-icer, tri-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, a rearview camera, a conversation mirror, Bluetooth, a 7-inch touchscreen with Toyota's Entune interface, Apple CarPlay smartphone integration, five USB ports, and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player, media player interface and an auxiliary audio jack.

　　Toyota Safety Sense also comes standard starting with L trims. It includes forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control and automatic headlights.

　　The LE adds roof rails, power-sliding rear doors, privacy glass, heated mirrors, a power-adjustable driver's seat, upgraded easy-clean fabric upholstery and rear sunshades. All-wheel-drive versions also get 18-inch wheels.

　　The SE is equipped similarly to the LE but adds a sport-tuned suspension, sharper steering, 19-inch alloy wheels (18-inch for all-wheel-drive models) and sportier exterior styling. The SE also has a power liftgate, first- and second-row leather upholstery (the third row gets premium vinyl), heated front seats, and unique gauges with a larger driver information screen.

　　The SE Premium adds a sunroof, keyless ignition and entry, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert systems, a navigation system, a premium JBL sound system, a rear-seat entertainment system, and the Driver Easy Speak system, which amplifies the driver's voice through the rear speakers.

　　The Sienna XLE shares many of the SE trim's comfort and convenience equipment, but it features similar suspension, steering and styling to the LE. It also adds a power-adjustable front passenger seat, imitation-wood trim, power-opening rear-quarter windows and keyless ignition and entry. The XLE Premium adds the SE Premium's features and rear parking sensors.

　　The plush Limited includes the XLE Premium's features (minus the rear entertainment system), along with 18-inch alloy wheels, a different grille, LED daytime running lights, auto-dimming and power-folding mirrors, front and rear sunroofs, and front and rear parking sensors. Inside is first- and second-row premium leather upholstery, driver-seat memory settings and a heated steering wheel.

　　Front-wheel-drive models also get a sliding center console between the first two rows, extendable footrests for the second row, and a power-folding third row with faux leather upholstery.

　　You can add even more with the Limited Premium trim, which tacks on xenon headlights, automatic wipers, a surround-view parking camera system, the rear-seat entertainment system and upgraded third-row leather (AWD only).

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2019 Sienna Highlights

Trim: CE Fleet Cargo VanL 7-PassengerLE 8-PassengerLE 7-Passenger MobilityLE 7-PassengerXLE 8-PassengerSE 8-PassengerSE 7-PassengerXLE 7-PassengerLE 7-Passenger Mobility Auto AccessXLE Premium 8-PassengerSE Premium 8-PassengerXLE Premium 7-PassengerXLE 7-Passenger Mobility Auto AccessLimited 7-PassengerSE Premium 7-PassengerLimited Premium 7-PassengerCE Fleet Cargo Van

　　

Base MSRP	$29,190
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	22 MPG
Cost to Drive	$168/month
Seating	2 seats
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles