Minivans are so similar and fundamentally good now that being the best means doing all of the little things right. The 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.
Mike Schmidt has worked in the automotive industry since 2003. He has written nearly a thousand car-related articles and has been responsible for the upkeep of countless test fleet vehicles over the course of his career. Mike is associate director, vehicle operations at Edmunds and got his start working behind the scenes on the car manufacturer side of the business. Mike spent many a weekend working on the family car with his dad and was promoted from flashlight holder to tool gopher at a young age. He's had an appreciation of cars ever since.
Pros
Standard hybrid powertrain provides excellent fuel economy
Roomy interior is easy to get in and out of
Unobstructed views thanks to big windows and available surround-view camera
Available all-wheel drive
Cons
Slow acceleration, especially with a full load of people and cargo aboard
Brakes feel uneven, making it hard to come to a smooth stop
Second-row seats can't be removed
What's new
Previous 25th Anniversary edition trim level removed from the lineup
Minor changes to feature availability
Part of the fourth Sienna generation introduced for 2021
Overview
The Toyota Sienna minivan has been around for decades, but the current generation debuted just a few years ago. There's a lot to like with this latest 2024 Sienna. It's ideal for family use thanks to an abundance of room for passengers in all three rows, and its sliding rear doors will always win out in convenience compared to an SUV. The Sienna also comes well equipped with Toyota's latest technology and driver assistance features.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 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 $3.52 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
The Sienna got a major redesign in 2021, and Toyota made a bold call to offer it exclusively with a hybrid powertrain. The Sienna gets much better fuel economy than most of its rivals. The EPA estimates that the Sienna gets up to 36 mpg in combined driving, versus 26 mpg combined for its main rival, the Honda Odyssey. It's even better than what the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid gets after its plug-in battery runs out of power.
Competitors to consider
The Honda Odyssey is quicker and generally more enjoyable to drive than the Sienna. Not that we expect many minivan buyers to have these qualities as top priorities, but it's worth noting. For the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, much of its appeal relates to how well you can utilize its plug-in hybrid powertrain. You can ultimately save a lot on gas if you make a lot of short trips and have the ability to charge at home. Finally, there's the stylish and value-oriented Kia Carnival. Is the Sienna the best for you? Check out our test team's Expert Rating below for a full rundown of its biggest advantages and drawbacks.
What’s it like to live with?
Whether you're hauling equipment for work or kids on the morning carpool, minivans excel at these tasks. That's why we added a Toyota Sienna to the Edmunds long-term test fleet. Over the course of a year, we reported on the advantages and drawbacks of ownership. It was a 2021 Sienna but most of our observations apply to the 2024 model as well.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Good
8.0
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
Minivans are so similar and fundamentally good now that being the best means doing all of the little things right. The 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.
How does the Sienna drive? The Sienna's hybrid-only powertrain means it's ultra smooth to accelerate but also a lot slower than its peers, taking an extra second to reach 60 mph compared to most other vans (including the outgoing Sienna with a V6). This slower acceleration isn't evident when you're just cruising around town. But you'll notice it when you're merging onto the highway or going up grades.
The Sienna isn't the most nimble minivan in the class, but it holds its own. It drives more like a car than an SUV. The steering is weighted well to cruise for hours down the highway. It's also light and easy to turn during low-speed maneuvers.
Emergency braking performance is OK, but the bigger deal is the pedal's sometimes awkward grabby feel. That can make it hard to consistently stop smoothly.
Comfort
7.0/10
How comfortable is the Sienna? We had no complaints after spending hours in the driver's seat. Its wide range of adjustability gets much of the credit, though this is a common feature in the class. Optional ottoman-style footrests in the second row plus a huge range of fore-aft sliding create a business-class-like feel and give the Sienna an edge in second-row comfort. Optional four-zone climate control is one more zone than competitors have (three-zone is standard) and it's effective at keeping the cabin cozy, hot or cold.
Noise is an area of concern. So long as the engine isn't working hard, the cabin is quiet, even serene. When you ask for power, the whole cabin will know. The engine and continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) drone considerably. Optional in-car voice projection, which sends front passenger voices through the rear speakers and headsets, helps as a work-around. You can save the shouting for when you really need it.
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How’s the interior? The Sienna pulls ahead of the pack in this area. It sits at a height that makes it easy to slide in and out of. The driving position is excellent and versatile. We're fans of the large central touchscreen with two exceptions: the glare that it throws off in midday sun and some far-side buttons that feel a bit out of reach. All other primary controls are placed logically and function as expected.
There's naturally good visibility out of the cabin. An optional surround-view camera system can provide a see-through view of the Sienna to make things even easier. There's also a digital rearview mirror that solves the issue of seeing past headrests or high-piled cargo in the back. The sliding doors and rear hatch have a no-touch open and closing feature. Just swipe your foot to operate them.
Technology
8.0/10
How’s the tech? The infotainment system uses a combination of a quick-responding touchscreen and physical buttons. The redundancy lets you choose your preference for menu access. The native navigation is accurate and easy to read, and the system's voice commands respond well to natural language. Apple CarPlay or Android Auto smartphone integration is also standard.
Interior tech features worth mentioning include a handy cabin intercom system, Wi-Fi connectivity and a generous number of USB ports for all three rows. We found the advanced driver aids to be excellent too. Adaptive cruise control is tuned well to avoid the heavy and sudden brake application we see from some other brands.
Storage
8.5/10
How’s the storage? All minivans are masters of utility, and the Sienna is no exception. There's a deep well for cargo storage behind the third row that also has hooks on the seatback. The third row can be manually folded and stows almost flat into the floor, and the second-row seats slide far forward, offering a great cargo solution. One big drawback is the second-row seats aren't removable as they are in other minivans, which greatly reduces the maximum cargo capacity.
Storage for personal items is equally good. There are 16 cupholders, multi-level door pockets, and a large shelf between the front passengers that is perfect for a handbag. For car seats, the attachment points are extremely easy to access. There are four in the seven-passenger Sienna and five in the eight-passenger. Buckles are easy for booster-age kids to use.
Fuel Economy
10.0/10
How’s the fuel economy? Chrysler gave us the first plug-in minivan. If you ran out of EV charge, its hybrid mode still returned an EPA-estimated 30 mpg. That was mind-blowing minivan fuel economy at the time. But the new hybrid Sienna has an EPA estimate of 36 mpg combined (36 city/36 highway). And as we discovered, it's capable of much more.
After nearly 500 miles with a front-wheel-drive Sienna, we vastly outperformed the EPA estimates. We averaged 42.7 mpg overall, including 44.8 mpg on our mixed-driving evaluation route of just over 115 miles. We can't wait to see if the all-wheel-drive version performs as well. Wow.
Value
8.5/10
Is the Sienna a good value? Our Sienna test vehicle wasn't a final production unit, but it felt really well built and was free of squeaks and rattles. Surfaces that are frequently touched — steering wheel, armrests, etc. — are soft-touch and well padded. All these aspects add to the general upscale sense you get from this interior.
Though a base Sienna starts a bit higher than other base models, it's comparably priced when its peers are equipped with features to match. The top trim is a tad more expensive but offers value-added features such as all-wheel drive that some competitors don't. It has a strong warranty for hybrid components and roadside assistance, and it's the only one to offer two years of free scheduled maintenance.
Wildcard
7.5/10
For those who prioritize how a car drives, the Sienna's brakes may be a deal-breaker. Sometimes they grab too much, sometimes too little, and sometimes they work fine. This factor carries a lot of weight for us and is an unfortunate blemish on an otherwise great minivan.
That aside, the Sienna gets a lot of the fundamentals right and offers some bonus elements too. Its exterior styling certainly shows more personality than any other minivan. And some of its more novel interior features include a built-in vacuum, a refrigerator that gets legitimately cold for drinks and snacks, and second-row seats that recline with footrests like you're in an airline business class. Oh, and we've seen this hybrid get well over 40 mpg. That's a wild card if we've ever seen one.
Which Sienna does Edmunds recommend?
The XLE trim is the one to get since it adds a lot of comfort and convenience features for the money. There are enough additions to make it feel much nicer than the base LE trim, and it's also eligible for some options including a rear entertainment system.
Toyota Sienna models
The 2024 Toyota Sienna is sold in six trim levels: LE, XLE, XSE, Woodland Edition, Limited and Platinum. All models are powered by a hybrid powertrain that uses a four-cylinder engine and has a combined output of 245 horsepower. Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional except on the Woodlands Edition, where it's standard. Depending on the trim, the Sienna is available with either an eight-passenger (second-row bench seat) or a seven-passenger (second-row captain's chairs) configuration. Keep reading for our breakdown of the key features you get with each trim level.
LE
Starts you off with:
LED headlights
Power-sliding side doors
Three-zone automatic climate control
Second-row sunshades
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Seven USB ports
9-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
Six-speaker audio system
Every Sienna also comes with these advanced driver aids:
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position)
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Sienna and the car in front)
Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
XLE
Comes with more convenience features, including:
Keyless entry with push-button start
Power liftgate
Four-zone automatic climate control
Power-adjustable passenger seat
Sunroof
Eight-speaker audio system
Synthetic leather upholstery
Heated front seats
An optional XLE Plus package adds:
Black roof rails
Wireless smartphone charging pad
12-speaker JBL audio system
Integrated navigation system
XSE
Stepping up to the XSE gives the Sienna a sporty appearance with black exterior trim, a mesh grille and exclusive seat trim. It's equipped like the XLE but comes standard with a navigation system.
Woodland Edition
The Woodland Edition is equipped similarly to the XLE. It also comes with:
Standard all-wheel drive
Slightly higher ride height for better ground clearance
Tow hitch with a 3,500-pound capacity
Two household-style power outlets
Premium 12-speaker JBL sound system
Wireless phone charger
Limited
The Limited model ditches the XSE's sporty touches and instead builds on the XLE with features such as:
Ventilated front seats
Leather seating
Third-row sunshades
Extendable footrests for second-row captain's chairs
Premium 12-speaker JBL sound system
Wireless phone charger
Platinum
The top-of-the-line Platinum trim includes everything on the Limited, plus:
Upgraded headlights
360-degree camera (gives you a top-down view of the Sienna and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Premium leather seating
Heated steering wheel
Heated second-row seats
Some of the standard features found on the more expensive trim levels are available on the lower trims as options. Optional for every trim except the LE is an Entertainment package that includes a rear-seat entertainment system with a rear overhead display and wireless headphones.
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 driven an XLE model, which I wouldn't entertain in a million years. To have basic vinyl seats in a car and give them a fancy name is ridiculous in this day and age. But it drove okay and felt comfortable enough. So we waited (and waited!) until a Platinum became available with leather seats. We wanted the cooled seats as. well as heated seats. And a heated steering wheel. And … here's the first complaint - why isn't the steering wheel heated all the way round? It's only heated at the 9-3 position, and it's a nerve calling it heated. Lightly warm should be the description. Compared to my Tahoe, which I had to turn off it got so hot. But small potatoes.
I just can't get comfortable in the driver's seat. The right bolster digs into my back, and I'm not built like Oliver Hardy. Why didn't Toyota make the passenger seat 8-way adjustable like the driver's seat? My wife sits up too high and doesn't feel comfortable in it. Again, first world problems.
However - and here comes the big one! - the fuel gauge isn't working properly. Right from the minute I drove it off the lot. I thought I was getting great gas mileage because the fuel gauge wasn't moving. Then one day we got in and the needle had dropped down to half a tank. Okay, that's strange, I thought. Filled it up. It did it again. And again. Then the miles to empty reading would be all over the place - I would drive 40 miles and the DTE would drop by 160 miles. One day, the car said it had 3/4 of a tank. I was running the car because it was hot outside, and cleaning the top of the steering wheel housing, when I saw the needle drop from 3/4 down to 1/4, right before my eyes. The car had been running for five minutes. It did it again after I started the car remotely (note to Toyota - why have the car turn off when we open the door? Keep it running!)
I took it in to a dealership and they said they had reflashed something. It didn't work. I took it back again, and this time they checked for codes! And asked if a tech could take it on a fmaily road trip for Memorial Day, still around 150 miles on it to see how it acts. No! If I want sticky little finger ,arks all over my backseats and have a dog puke in the car, I can manage that all by myself, thanks. They marked on the service sheet I declined a road test! No, I declined to have the interior of my car wrecked by possible rowdy kids. That's what rental cars are for.
The fuel gauge did the same thing again. I took it back to the dealer where I bought it, a lot further away. They couldn't fix it but told me to bring it back and they'd get Toyota tech involved. They would drop the gas tank and take things apart to try to fix the issue. They had it one day and I got the call to pick it up. Toyota told them to reset the system, because Toyota knows this is an issue on the Sienna Hybrid! Google how a fuel gauge is reset. If some of the ways is the same as Toyota reset mine, they should be ashamed. This car should never have left the factory with a broken fuel gauge, and I also paid over sticker for this car as we wanted to keep it for a while. Not now. We go out with the car and are expecting the needle to drop like a stone. We were going to do a road trip in this car, but not now. We don't want to be stranded.
Nice car but not worth the money. It's only saving race is, the dogs can get in easily. Maybe they'll write a better review. ** I should say this is the 2022 model, not the '21.
Purchased new. At 960 miles dashboard kept lighting up that several sensors were unavailable. Toyota said my undercarriage was dirty and sensors are sensitive - but they replaced. Couldn’t drive more than 10 minutes in anything other than pristine weather or the sensors shut off (currently in a 2021 Sienna rental and can confirm that this hasn’t happened ONCE so it’s the specific car not … the model. At 5k miles car needed to be jumped everyday for 4 days. Toyota couldn’t figure out the problem after being there for 6 hours and sent me home ‘to give them a call if I have to get it jumped again.’ While I was there I asked for assistance with syncing the app to my phone (for remote start/locking features) and to show me how to work the tv. Three people tried to figure it out before leaving it at ‘let them look into it and get back to me.’ Next day car wouldn’t even take a jump and had to be towed in. Day 13 in the shop and they can’t figure out what is going on, and unfortunately because there ‘isn’t a tangible issue found’ they are at the mercy of waiting for Toyota to come up with a resolution. Toyota tells the dealer they need to find the problem. Vicious cycle with no resolution or end in sight for us, no one taking responsibility. Can’t order a new one because ‘everyone is at the mercy of whatever Toyota sends them.’ Such a mess, we are heartbroken after spending the time, energy, and money to purchase a new van.
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.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2024 Toyota Sienna, so we've included reviews for other years of the Sienna since its last redesign.
2021 Toyota Sienna Review: One Year and 17K Miles in Our Toyota Minivan | Long-Term Review
NOTE: This video is about the 2021 Toyota Sienna, but since the 2024 Toyota Sienna is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.
The Toyota Sienna is one of the most popular minivans on the market and, about a year ago, we added one to our long-term fleet. In this video, Ryan ZumMallen from Edmunds reviews what it's been like to live with the 2021 Toyota Sienna Platinum for the past year. Ryan talks about what… we liked and didn't like about the popular Toyota minivan, including the Sienna's mpg, driving impressions and how comfortable it is to drive. He also covers the past year's maintenance and recalls on the 2021 Sienna. The minivan's popularity has waned a bit over the past few years, but we're big fans of the technology, space and family-friendly features that the Sienna minivan has to offer. Is it the right minivan for you and your family? We drove the Sienna for a year to help answer this question and more. This is our long-term review of the 2021 Toyota Sienna.
Now that Toyota and Honda have taken very different paths for their minivans, the choice between them may be easier than ever. The Odyssey's use of interior space, seat configurability and sheer volume are untouchable in the minivan world. But the Sienna, like it does with all rivals, easily beats the Odyssey's average fuel economy rating. And it does so without a big compromise in everyday utility. Drive both before you decide.
If you don't like removing seats to create a flat load floor, Chrysler's Pacifica, which offers second-row seats that collapse into the floor, is the only game in town. But that functionality is lost on the hybrid version of the Chrysler van, which is the only Pacifica that comes close to rivaling the Sienna's fuel economy. Otherwise, the Pacifica makes few compromises. Even though it's the oldest of the current batch of minivans, the Pacifica's design offers large, usable space and reasonable quality at a competitive price.
If a low starting price and the best warranty in the business (five years/100,000 miles) are attractive then consider the Kia Carnival. It starts about a bit below the Sienna and is packed with high-value features. You'll not find all-wheel drive on the Carnival's options list. And there's no hybrid powertrain, so it won't compete with the Sienna's impressive fuel economy.
The Sienna has been with us since 1997, and though vans are declining in popularity, this one isn't going anywhere. It was completely redesigned in 2021 and is now offered exclusively as a hybrid. It offers a plethora of trims, excellent small-item storage and a massive cargo hold. Add in its ease of use and respectable fuel economy and it's an obvious choice for those with big families and lots of stuff to haul around. Minivans have a long product cycle, and the standard hybrid powertrain helps future-proof the Sienna until the next, presumably fully electric, model makes its debut.
Since the last Sienna was on sale for nine years and the current model has only been with us for a few years, it seems like 2024 will bring only minor changes to the Toyota minivan. We don't expect a face-lift until at least 2025, and that means that the Sienna you see on dealer lots today won't differ much from the 2024 car. That's good news for buyers interested in what is one of the most effective people movers you can buy today.
Edmunds says
We don't expect the Sienna to change much, if at all, in the near future. That's no bad thing.
FAQ
Is the Toyota Sienna a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2024 Sienna both on the road and at the track, giving it a 8.0 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2024 Sienna gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 41 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Sienna has 33.5 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Toyota Sienna. Learn more
What's new in the 2024 Toyota Sienna?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2024 Toyota Sienna:
Previous 25th Anniversary edition trim level removed from the lineup
Minor changes to feature availability
Part of the fourth Sienna generation introduced for 2021
To determine whether the Toyota Sienna is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Sienna. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Sienna's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2024 Toyota Sienna a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2024 Toyota Sienna is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2024 Sienna and gave it a 8.0 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2024 Sienna gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 41 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2024 Sienna is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2024 Toyota Sienna?
The least-expensive 2024 Toyota Sienna is the 2024 Toyota Sienna LE 8-Passenger 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $37,685.
Other versions include:
LE 8-Passenger 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) which starts at $37,685
LE 8-Passenger 4dr Minivan AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) which starts at $39,685
XLE 8-Passenger 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) which starts at $42,995
XLE 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) which starts at $42,995
XLE 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) which starts at $44,995
XSE 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) which starts at $45,245
XSE 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) which starts at $46,135
XLE Woodland Edition 4dr Minivan AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) which starts at $48,625
Limited 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) which starts at $49,945
Limited 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) which starts at $51,945
Platinum 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) which starts at $53,145
Platinum 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) which starts at $53,905
If you're interested in the Toyota Sienna, the next question is, which Sienna model is right for you? Sienna variants include LE 8-Passenger 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT), LE 8-Passenger 4dr Minivan AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT), XLE 8-Passenger 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT), and XLE 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT). For a full list of Sienna models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more