Photo courtesy of Toyota Internet Media.
The Bottom Line: What is a Sienna? The Sienna is a family minivan built and sold by Toyota. It has seating for 7 passengers, every model has a hybrid driveline, and it comes with plenty of cargo room. The fourth generation of the Toyota Sienna minivan was introduced for sale in October of 2020 for the 2021 model year. The biggest change from the previous minivans was the replacement of the V6 engine with a new 2.5L liter 4 cylinder hybrid gas engine, and an electric motor, with a combined 245 horsepower.
And what is a minivan? A minivan, sometimes simply called a van, is a North American car classification for vehicles designed to transport passengers in the rear seating rows, with reconfigurable seats in two, or three rows. The cargo capacity with the rear seats folded down, or removed, will have enough space to load up 4×8 foot sheets of plywood. Every minivan offers a spacious and practical interior, and that’s why you buy one.
Today the 2022 minivan class has only 5 nameplates to choose from, and they are: The Chrysler Pacifica, Honda Odyssey, Kia Sedona, Chrysler Voyager and the Toyota Sienna. This is the smallest class of vehicles to choose from of all vehicles sold. To stand out from the competition you need to be at the top of the class, and the 2022 Toyota Sienna does that by building every minivan with a hybrid driveline as standard equipment, at no extra charge.
Every Sienna is a hybrid. Whether you’re driving around the city during the day, or taking a weekend road trip, Sienna’s class leading EPA estimated 36 combined MPG helps to keep you going. And with 3500 lbs. of towing capacity you can bring more with you on your next adventure, from a camper trailer, to the jet skis for the lake house. Bringing along more gear just means more fun in the sun.
This week Toyota sent me a 2022 Sienna XSE minivan with a base window sticker price for the XSE edition of $42,100. The options on the minivan are: the rear seat entertainment system for $1,415, the 1500 watt inverter with two 120 volt outlets for $300, the XSE Plus package for $1,000, the special color paint for $425, a set of carpeted floor mats for $220, a set of door sill protectors for $40, the rear bumper appliqué for $69, a set of wheel locks for $65, and the roof rack cross bars for $200.
The MSRP manufacturer’s suggested retail price, including the $1,215 destination charge, is: $47,049. After adding in the state and local sales tax, plus the DMV and dealer fees, the total out the door and in your garage purchase price came to: $52,930.
At just under $53K this upscale XSE Plus Edition minivan checks off all the right boxes. Power everything, check. great Hybrid MPG, check. the latest in technology upgrades, check, and a 5 Star safety rating from NHTSA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, check. The Toyota Sienna rates as the best of the best in safety, fuel economy, comfort and tech, all rolled into one good looking family friendly minivan.
On the ride and drive side the Sienna gets 36 MPG highway, 36 MPH city, and 36 MPG in combined driving. The greenhouse gas rating is a 7, and the smog rating is a 7, both out of 10. Great gas mileage, good smog numbers, and a family minivan with all the bells and whistles that you need to go anywhere, and keep your family safe and comfortable.
The rear seat entertainment system includes a 1080p HD high definition entertainment center with a center roof mounted 11.6″ display screen, HDMI inputs, a remote control zapper, and it comes with two wireless sets of headphones. The XSE Plus package adds: a wireless charging cell phone pad, a set of black roof rails, a 9″ touch screen with navigation, and a premium JBL audio system with 12 speakers, including a subwoofer and a JBL amplifier. More than enough stuff to keep everyone happy and content.
Now using Toyota’s available remote connect through the Toyota app, you can start the engine, lock or unlock the doors, and locate your vehicle with your compatible smartphone, or smartwatch. Find your minivan at the mall in just a few seconds, for added safety and convenience.
So, when you’re ready to buy a new minivan the Toyota Sienna should be on your ride and drive list, as it’s one of the best vans in the minivan class. Call, click or visit your local Toyota dealer for a test drive, and a Bottom Line price review, on the 2022 Toyota Sienna. And remember that the base price for a new Sienna starts at only $35,285. Toyota – Let’s Go Places.
Be smart, stay safe, and just breathe. Remember, “You Are What You Drive”© And maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should “Drive one, Buy one, Today”©.
This Bottom Line new vehicle review is a “Nut & Bolt and Dollars & Sense”© editorial provided by Tony Leopardo. “Tony the Car Guy”© is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question, or comment for Tony, send it to tonyleo@pacbell.net and visit AutoWire.Net at www.autowire.net
Originally published at Tony Leopardo