The Sienna features 18-inch wheels, LED headlights with auto on/off, hands-free dual power sliding side doors, a power liftgate, and a power moonroof.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna can fit either 7 or 8 passengers, depending if the second row is a bench or the optional Captain’s Chairs. I tested a version with seating for 7 and the Captain’s Chairs, which slide back and forth, and was thoroughly impressed with the roomy and versatile interior setup.

With all three rows of seats up, the Sienna will provide 33.5 cubic feet of storage space for cargo. WIth the third row down, that number grows to 75.2 cubic feet, and with the second row also down, you hit triple digits with 101 cubic feet of space. Those are impressive numbers. This versatility of seating and storage is key for families and a big draw to the Sierra and minivans in general.

While the 2nd-row bench will allow for the most passengers (8), the setup with Captain's chairs offers the most roominess. And as an aside, the Captain’s Chairs provide such a strong experience you might have people wanting to sit in the 2nd row instead of calling shotgun.

Regardless of setup, all passengers will have plenty of head room and leg room, but best to keep the third row to your smallest passengers.

There’s also tons of storage space inside the vehicle. You get a big shelf up front for storage in addition to the center bin, for example. High-quality materials are used inside the vehicle, more than you would expect from a nonluxury ride.

The vehicle offers four-zone automatic climate control, Softex-trimmed seats, plus heated and power front seats.

HOW’S THE RIDE? 

The Toyota Sienna comes into 2021 with a brand new powertrain, and going hybrid is your only option. This move was made to boost fuel economy and stand out from its competitors.

The Sienna is powered by a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder hybrid engine, paired with either two or three electric motors depending on whether you choose FWD or AWD. The system is paired with an electronic Continuously Variable Transmission, and the Sienna features a Sport-tuned Suspension.

The total output from this hybrid system is 245 net horsepower, and 288 pound-feet of torque.

These numbers, while decent, are not overly powerful, but they will still get you moving at a decent pace. Sport mode is also available to help out the experience a bit. I was a bit disappointed in the braking, which took longer than I expected at times.

Overall, the driving experience is decent and the vehicle handles well. Just understand that this ride (and all minivans, really) are about utility, not power. To get the extra fuel economy with this hybrid, you’re going to sacrifice some oomph … but that’s probably acceptable for a lot of minivan buyers.

TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY 

The 2021 Toyota Sienna offers an intuitive infotainment system that is very easy to use, both through touch controls and voice commands. It featured a 9-inch touchscreen, Navigation, Bluetooth streaming for phone and music, SiriusXM satellite radio with 3-month trial, and there are 6 USB ports in the vehicle. The Sienna is also compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for phone mirroring.

There’s also an optional Rear Seat Entertainment System offered, featuring a 1080p HD Entertainment Center with 11.6-inch display, HDMI input, remote control and two pairs of wireless headphones.

One optional package adds wireless smartphone charging, black roof rails, and upgraded audio system including subwoofer and amplifier. 

Since minivans are primarily family vehicles, safety will be top of mind for buyers. Toyota has you covered with a ton of strong safety features, including:
— Rear Seat Reminder (lets you know to check the back seats before leaving the vehicle)
— Front and Rear Parking Assist with Auto Brake 
— Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including: Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist, automatic high beams, and road sign assist
— LATCH system for child seats
— Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert

MPG 

Being a hybrid, the fuel economy numbers on the Sienna have high expectations from potential buyers, and they live up to those expectations.

Official numbers are 35 city/36 highway/35 combined. In real-world testing, I averaged 33.1, but used sport mode regularly, so the number would grow with more conservative driving.

The Sienna easily beats its non-hybrid competition in fuel mileage easily, but has one strong competitor in this arena. The Chrysler Pacifica offers a plug-in hybrid which offers 32 miles of all-electric driving, 82 MPGe (combined gas and electric), and 30 MPG from the gas engine alone. Keep in mind that the price for the Pacifica plug-in hybrid also starts at over $40K.

Another interesting number: The Pacifica hybrid can go 520 miles on a full tank of gas (and a full electric charge), but the Sienna can go over 600 miles on a tank of gas.
 

PRICE

The 2021 Toyota Sienna I tested had all the bells and whistles and was priced just over $48,000; its base price starts around $35K. This price range is similar to what you’ll find from competitors like the Kia Carnival, Chrysler Pacifica (nonhybrid), and Honda Odyssey, and as mentioned above it’s a lower starting price than the Pacifica hybrid. 

With the 2021 Sienna’s strong fuel mileage, you will also save long-term on gas prices. Also, keep in mind that Toyota’s strong reliability likely means a long vehicle life.

BOTTOM LINE

The 2021 Toyota Sienna is one of the strongest minivan options on the market, with its new, unique hybrid-only approach. It will get you far on a tank of gas and is designed for maximum versatility of use for you and the family. Even against stiff competition like the brand new Kia Carnival, it holds up very well and is worth a test drive. 

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Matt Myftiu can be found on Twitter @MattMyftiu.