Minivans are so similar and fundamentally good now that being the best means doing all of the little things right. The 2023 Sienna certainly covers the comfort, space, safety and technology basics well. You also get great fuel economy. But a disappointing driving experience holds the Sienna back from clinching the top minivan spot.
New limited-production 25th Anniversary Edition model debuts
Part of the fourth Sienna generation introduced for 2021
What is the Sienna?
The 2023 Toyota Sienna is a hybrid-powered minivan with seating for up to eight, and it's one of the best vehicles on the road for moving people and cargo. The Sienna has been around for decades, but the current model debuted just a couple of years ago. There's a lot to like with the Sienna. The hybrid powertrain is efficient, the interior is spacious, and the available all-wheel drive is a plus for those who need the extra traction. It won't get you as many places as an SUV, but the Sienna offers as much space and cargo room as all but the largest of those.
There aren't any significant updates for the core Sienna lineup, but the 2023 model does introduce a new variant to celebrate the nameplate's 25th anniversary. Aptly named the 25th Anniversary Edition, this Sienna combines the styling of the XSE trim level with the Limited's feature set. From there, you get special badging and floormats specific to the 25th Anniversary Edition. Only 2,525 will be produced, and come exclusively with white or silver exterior paint.
Automakers have been slowly killing off minivans for the past few decades as more and more customers ditch vans for SUVs. Even so, this class is highly competitive. The Honda Odyssey and Chrysler Pacifica are the current offerings from two automakers that have been building minivans for decades. Fuel economy is the Sienna's big advantage, but the Pacifica offers a plug-in hybrid powertrain that offers an EPA-estimated 32 miles of all-electric driving range, plenty for running around town during the day. The Kia Carnival was recently redesigned, though we think Kia missed the mark a bit with its new minivan.
Edmunds says
If you can get your hands on one, the new limited-production 25th Anniversary Edition is certainly worth a look. It combines the sporty styling of the XSE with the Limited and its generous set of features.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Toyota Sienna LE 8-Passenger 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) 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 $3.37 per gallon for regular unleaded in Illinois.
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Toyota Sienna from 2008-2022.
$481/yr
vs. $549/yr for Average Minivan
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).
0.93x/yr
vs. 1.47x/yr for Average Minivan
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).
12.5%
vs. 12.5% for Average Minivan
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
This is my 3rd Sienna in a row, over almost 20 years, and I was pretty excited to finally see a hybrid. LOVE the increased gas mileage, and the driver's "cockpit" area is generally well-designed to handle typical suburban life. The tech/CarPlay works well after a period of figuring it all out; same with all the "safety features," namely lots of buzzes and warnings. SO many buzzes and … warnings. I can't keep them all straight, and ended up turning off all the ones that could be turned off. What I do not love: I really miss the 6 cylinders on my previous models, where I never worried about being able to come up to speed when merging onto the highway on the short entrance ramps common in our area. Acceleration is just NOT there, and that feels downright terrifying at times. And one of the primary factors that made me pick my first Sienna back in 2004 was its lovely, tight turning radius (especially compared to the Odyssey)... also not so much in this model. As has been noted over and over, the second row seats are a major disappointment: they need to be removable AND (perhaps even more annoying) the optional 8th seat is no longer stowable IN the minivan. So when you need the extra seat on the spur of the moment to take an extra kid home from practice? That seat tends to be back in the garage at home, of no use at all, since otherwise it's sliding around in the back of the car, just taking up a lot of space. But really, the BIGGEST issue I have with the new Sienna: the driver's seat is designed for someone who is 5'2" (maybe? who knows who this seat might fit??). I am 5'9" and the extreme concave curve of the seat means that my back never touches the seatback (unless I am hunched over like a tortoise - not a great position for driving). I have to drive with an extra pillow just to be able to sit upright with lower back support, not to mention to be able to drive comfortably for trips, or even long car days with lots of errands and carpooling. Our family also owns a 2007 Highlander, and it has an enormously comfortable driver's seat, so I KNOW Toyota knows how to design one. In fact, I never even thought about the driver's seat in either of my previous Siennas, so this was clearly someone's (poor) design choice. But it's uncomfortable and annoying enough (and I spend enough time in a driver's seat as a parent of four kids) that I wouldn't buy another Sienna. SOMEONE needs to figure out how to redesign that seat to accommodate a variety of heights and sizes.
What I like - the MPG, we get 32 MPG with zero attempt to drive it like a hybrid.
What I don’t like - poor build quality and the front seats. The carpet on the passenger sunder the front center dash has pulled away from the plastic trim, the dealer “glued” it back in place, but it came out again. I suspect it was cut wrong or installed incorrectly at the factory. It makes me feel like … I am driving a 30 year old Dodge Grand Caravan. Also, the weather stripping around the back hatch was not installed correctly and came out with the slightest touch. Dealer replaced it, hopefully it was done correctly.
The front passenger seat cannot be raised up and down, it has two adjustments - forward/back and adjust the seat back. It is almost like having to sit in the 3rd row. The driver’s seat goes up and down. Overall the seats are not comfortable for long drives. I do not recommend.
I had been wanting a 2022 Sienna for several months and finally got one, but I've been disappointed with it. My 2013 Venza had better features. The 2022 Sienna isn't worth the price tag. The rear view camera is very poor quality. The audio system screen and controls are terrible and unintuitive. The a/c and engine are extremely loud. The middle air vents blow hot when they should blow … cold. The trunk seats do not lay flat. The sliding door crushed my child one day when both she and I had pushed the button to open it (obviously, not realizing we both did).
It did not recognize her tiny body was there and closed on her, crushing her leg. I had to pry it open! The list goes on and on... Word to the wise, check a Sienna community chat site before buying one, so you know what you're getting into (I did not). If I could go back in time, I would not have bought it.
I waited a few thousand miles before writing this review. Short version is I love the van and would no longer consider one of the alternatives. I drove a 2001 Odyssey for 21 years, then had a used 2007 Odyssey for a couple of years during COVID. This review is for a 2023 Toyota Sienna Woodland Edition.
Here is what I have found:
Ride: Feels like a car, not a truck or big SUV. Similar … feel to my Odysseys. I don't notice road noise any different from my Odysseys. The engine does make more sound while you are accelerating to pass.
Acceleration: Definitely better than my 210 hp 2001 Odyssey, about the same as my 240 hp 2007 Odyssey. I am sure it is less than a modern 280 hp minivan, but I just don't have the need. If I can go 60 to 75 in a second or two with five adults and packed storage, I just don't need much more. It is actually faster off the line than either of my Hondas, I guess due to the electric motors.
Braking: A different feel at first than pure disk brakes, so you do have to get used to it. It will never be quite as smooth as pure disks coming to a full stop, but it is fine now.
Stop and go driving: The hybrid system is much smoother than pure gas in stop and go traffic. Much less lurching (despite the brakes, it starts more smoothly and transitions from accelerating to stopping more smoothly). I find it much more restful than my other minivans there.
Fuel economy and range: I am getting 37 mph consistently and confirmed with external maps and gas measurements. I leave it in Eco mode because we prefer the air conditioning to be a little muted (a side effect of Eco mode). For fast acceleration, you just step harder on the gas pedal. I will never make back the cost of buying this minivan in gas savings, so that's not the benefit to me. But range is huge. I went 608 miles recently with 1.5 gallons left in the tank. It changes how I drive. I don't live near a gas station, so I was always figuring where and when to buy gas. Now I just drive and occasionally fill up if I see cheap gas. It means I can go in the back country without worrying about carrying gas cans. And since highway and city (including rural hilly) have the same mileage, I know reliablly how far I can go without filling up. Keep your tires fully inflated; I think I lost 10% mileage being just a few pounds low.
All wheel drive: It works well. Recently I backed up a wet grassy hill with over a 30 degree incline, and it just drives right up, no slipping, no anything, as if it were a driveway.
Seat comfort: Ergonomically better than my old vans because of the adjustable lumber support. I don't need to stick a pillow there. The faux leather seats are okay but I would prefer cloth, other than the eventual wear and tear and dirt.
Storage: In 23 years of van ownership, I never removed the second row seats because they are heavy and I have nowhere to put them. But I do haul a lot of stuff, so much that I add a roof carrier sometimes and also use the trailer hitch. Don't be fooled by the 140 vs 100 cubic foot storage difference. Once you decide not to remove the second row, the Sienna has MORE room because the 2nd row seats go all the way forward. Chyrsler's folding 2nd row seats would be great, but they do not come on the all-wheel-drive hybrid, so that was off the table.
Safety features: The modern safety features are new to me, and I like them. The radar plus the automated steeering (with your hands on the wheel) I find relaxing and actually helps me stay awake rather than making me fall asleep (I was worried about that before I got it). The cameras and radar around the car are helpful.
Tires: Probably the same size as all modern minivans, but the 29-inch tires are definitely better on bumps than my old 27-inch tires on the 2001.
Central console: The central consule betweent the front row seats doesn't do much and I would prefer empty space. I like being able to walk to the back of the car inside to get an umbrella. Now I have to be a contortionist to get out of the seat to the back. And I would like more room for long things down the center aisle.
Spare tire: When I got mine, many or most in my area were coming without spare tires I guess due to supply chain, so I accepted mine without a spare. I figured I would get a full diameter spare from Modern Spare with its longer range and my comfort driving faster on it, along with a better jack and wrench. But it is a pain to move the spare around each time I want to raise or lower the third row. I advise you to wait for a spare if they are are still coming without them. You can always add a Modern Spare and have two tires if you are going far into the back country.
Sound system and electronics: Better sound than my old vans. CarPlay is wired only, which has out worked fine but I assume Bluetooth would be nice to have. The Toyota-supplied navigation is nice when my phone can't get a signal.
Suspension: The Woodland is supposed to have a slightly higher clearance and heavier syspension, but it looks like a small difference; I am happy to have it. In general it is rated at almost 7 inches (6.9), not far from many 8-inch SUVs, but it's not an SUV. The whole bottom of the car sits at about 7 inches, versus an SUV which may have some piece that is sticking down 8 inches from the ground. Nevertheless, my trailer hitch bottoms out much less than the one on my old 2001 Odyssey. It's too new to test on a bad back road, but it did fine on some rutted dirt roads that I knew well.
Bottom line: For me, the long range, all wheel drive, extra storage (2nd row seats all the way forward), mostly better ride, and safety features make the van. Maybe a little extra ground clearance than other vans.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2023 Toyota Sienna, so we've included reviews for other years of the Sienna since its last redesign.
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