2021 Toyota Sienna Review: One Year and 17K Miles in Our Toyota Minivan | Long-Term Review

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.

00:00 Intro
01:09 Pricing
01:47 Fuel Economy
02:58 Driving Impressions
04:14 Comfort
06:05 Technology
07:38 Cargo
08:33 Editors' Impressions
10:20 Recalls
10:40 Maintenance
11:12 What It's Worth Now
11:51 Edmunds' Take

[hyrenaj]

So odd we live in a world where an 8 second 0-60 (in a minivan, no less) is something to complain about. If you have trouble merging with that sort of performance, maybe it's your driving that's the problem...

[BTC]

The right arrow is your friend during several segments of this video.

[neildutton]

I can remember when 0 - 60 in 8.3sec were Golf GTI numbers,
never mind a 5000lb minivan.

[philsouthdown]

I have to disagree with your feelings on the AWD performance. I’ve been very impressed with how my 21 AWD Sienna handles snowy conditions. In fact, it’s only ever been limited by ground clearance, not traction.
It’s absolutely the best family vehicle on the market today.

[johncarson]

I sold my Pacifica and bought a Sienna Platinum. I don't miss the seats that fold into the floor, but I have the driver's seat all the way back and when the second row seat behind me is folded and pushed forward, it hits the driver's seat and I have to move my seat forward a little bit. But that's not a gripe, just an observation. I also bought LED lighting kits from Amazon and changed the interior bulbs out (except for the map lights, which I couldn't figure out) and also the rear blinker light. I love the car and on a highway drive today, averaged 43 mpg.

[vermbill]

Ive got 14k miles on my awd. In summer, we average 36 mpg and in winter with studded tires it was 32. We drive mostly in eco. Not sure how their numbers are so weak unless they drive in normal or eco more. Also, if they run the cabin hot in winter, it will run the combustion engine more to gain heat through the core. I think it's on them as drivers.

[kevinhenry]

I have nothing but high praise for the 2021 Toyota sienna XSE! And it exceeded the mileage all the time. It was a Front wheel drive. It did have 20 inch wheels on it. But if you have a heavy foot and you don’t know how to drive a hybrid vehicle. Don’t complain about the gas mileage if you have a leadfoot, go for the V-6 instead but if you want to really save at the gas pump definitely go for the hybrid sienna! There was many tanks that I average 43 miles per gallon. Granite I wasn’t driving 75-80 miles an hour on the freeway. But even at 33 miles per gallon, no minivan will come close to touching that combined.

[sczoin]

The CVT is not a problem for me at all, the acceleration is smooth as butter. No shifts, no sudden jerky acceleration. The torque from the electric motors is so strong I’ve never had to push the gas pedal to keep the car from rolling backwards even up steep hills. (I have the AWD)

Hybrids have always been a clunky transition between power delivery of gas and electric, this is the most refined hybrid system on sale today and I would buy this van again in a heart beat. Worst annoyance is the inability to see your trip MPG if someone opens the door before you turn the car off!!! I want to see my hard work.

[timparmentier]

It's technically an e-CVT transmission. Quite a bit different internally.

[jeffreylyons]

Averaging 39.5 since ownership on mine, 21’ xle. Extended softer breaking is a must. It has plenty of power too, it don’t have a cvt transmission, it really doesn’t have a transmission at all.

[blahblaherson]

thank god I didn't upgrade to a hybrid! my 2018 Sienna goes fast, I regularly drive it at 100mph when I'm running late to kids activities. I can't even feel I'm going that fast on the highway, smoothest and quietest drive ever. Truly a drivers car. best part? I can hardly hear the kids in the back if the ac is blasted lol. 40k miles so far, I get a little under 400 miles on a full tank.

[monahines]

I made it through a snow storm 2 hr in this van and I had no Idea it was 4 wheel drive made a Believer out of me!!!!

[ShawnDeLaCruz]

The difference in miles per gallon between the all-wheel drive vs. the front-wheel drive is surprising. I wonder if the mountain terrain that you tested it on made any difference.

[rightlanehog]

Hi Edmunds, What is your average highway cruising speed?

[waterdragonclan]

I love my 2006 Toyota minivan, especially the center row seat removable. It has enough power to passing most car on the road and room to put 2 couches, 4 big dogs, or any Home Depot product without worrying bad weather. It is still running well, but my kid took it from me. Now, I am waiting for Toyota to come out a plug-in hybrid or EV minivan. If not, I think I am still happy with this hybrid version. I am sure your review about the MPG didn't match with your expectation probably due to the way you drive, weather and hills. My 2018 Prius Prime did well on 57 MPG average. Right now it showing that I have 125 MPG average, because of the plug-in. I love it, but can't load much stuff like the Sienna.

[georgev]

I got a 2022 Honda Odyssey instead of the Sienna. I live in a mountainous terrain place and I need the power. The interior on the lower trims was better on the odyssey too. But with gas prices now, I wish I got the Sienna instead. Maybe in the near future.

[autofixation]

I have a deposit down on a Toyota Sienna. I got it for the hybrid system, interior, and AWD. Though I really think it would be better with a flat floor and a removable second row.

[Jeo-What]

Thank you for the review. Great point about the mpg so the front wheel drive will be the option for me in the future however what I’m really looking for is a front wheel drive pH EV prime in the future… Hopefully come to replace my 2004 Sienna.

[thecarsectionthecarsection]

I'm glad I didn't get rid of my 2012 limited awd because the 2021 platinum doesn't have the duel sunroof and the rear entertainment system is not duel screen I can remove my 2nd row seats it gets better gas mileage but I can live with that.

[ericb]

Cold weather will kill a hybrid's MPG. Our Sienna got well below what it did in summer, which was routinely above the listed MPG. Also, the toyota dealer twice has put 20w oil in the vehcile, not the w16, which I am sure cost probably 2 MPG by itself.