TOYOTA Sienna 2025

When Toyota launched the fourth-generation Sienna for the 2021 model year, it was the first minivan offered exclusively as a hybrid. Contrary to the traditional V6 engines in the segment, the combination of a four-cylinder and an electric motor quickly won over a target audience eager to save at the pump.

We had the opportunity to test this flagship model again in the spring of 2025, a few months before its fifth anniversary. The manufacturer loaned us a Limited AWD version equipped with the new-for-2025 Platinum package, which adds specific wheels, a cooled console box, and an on-board vacuum cleaner, a concept introduced in the Honda Odyssey in 2014.

Toyota mentions cosmetic tweaks, but frankly, we didn't even notice them. The Sienna also adopts the manufacturer's latest multimedia system, featuring a 12.3-inch touchscreen in the XLE, XSE, and Limited trims. The display now measures 8 inches in the LE variant, while all trims offered a 9-inch screen in 2024. A reduction in the size of the central display certainly isn't common.

On the other hand, inductive phone charging and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are now standard across the lineup. The same goes for an advanced rear-seat alert, which detects people rather than relying on the door closing sequence. The system even indicates which seats the occupants are in.

A brand-new Sienna went for around $30,000 less than 10 years ago. That was about $7,000 to $10,000 more than the then-low-cost king, the Dodge Grand Caravan. That title now goes to the Kia Carnival, which still costs a minimum of $44,000—but $50,244 with its optional hybrid powertrain.

In this light, the $50,030 Sienna LE seems reasonably priced. The tag climbs quickly, however, peaking at almost $73,000 for a Limited with the Platinum Package. Only a Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle Plug-In Hybrid and a Volkswagen ID. Buzz command a higher price in this segment.

Designed for the North American market, the Sienna is assembled in Indiana, in the same plant as the Highlander, Grand Highlander, and Lexus TX.

There was a time when the Honda Odyssey reigned supreme in the minivan segment, in terms of price, technology, and resale value. Today, that title belongs to the Sienna, which has surpassed its rival in all these areas, in addition to sales in Quebec. According to data from Automédia, an industry magazine, Toyota sold more than four times as many minivans as Honda in the province in 2024.

The Sienna's hybrid powertrain alone explains much of this dominance. Thanks to it, this model requires less fuel than all other minivans on the market, including the Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid, when its battery is depleted. It seems buyers are willing to put up with the noisy revs of this engine to enjoy its fuel efficiency.

These people also gain unparalleled reliability as well as a welcoming, bright, spacious, and practical interior, with the notable exception of the non-removable middle seats. If this doesn't dampen your interest in Toyota's largest family car, arm yourself with patience: the delay between ordering and delivery is at least two months. And get your virtual checkbook ready, since the bill is steep, regardless of the version chosen.

A well-suited hybrid powertrain

Aside from the Prius series, the Sienna became, in 2021, the first Toyota offered exclusively with a hybrid powertrain. Since then, the Crown, Crown Signia, and Camry have followed the same path, and they will be joined by the very popular RAV4 in 2026.

What do all these vehicles, as well as the Highlander and Grand Highlander hybrids, have in common? They all use the same 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine, paired with a pair of electric motors (which becomes a trio in all-wheel-drive models). With varied power output depending on the model, this combination provides the Sienna with a rather lively 245 horsepower. While the electronically continuously variable transmission manages power brilliantly, it does nothing to limit high revs, which makes for a loud acceleration.

This is a long-standing criticism of this powertrain, except when it is fitted to Lexus vehicles, which are better insulated than Toyotas. Nontheless, this engine is worth its considerable fuel efficiency. The 9.4L/100km we measured certainly far exceeds the official rating of 6.8L/100km for a mixed city/highway trip. However, our result remains 20% lower than the 11.7L/100km calculated after testing a Honda Odyssey in similar conditions. At $1.50 per liter for 15,000km, this could yield savings of over $500.

The kingdom of practicality

We will never repeat it enough: nothing beats a minivan to meet the needs of a family. The Sienna has proven this once again with its three rows being spacious enough to accommodate all sizes. This combines with very long sliders for the middle bucket seats, which allow for almost unlimited room distribution for rear occupants. They also make access to the last row much easier.

This is not to mention the charging ports and cup holders located throughout the cabin, the generous and varied storage spaces, and the three- or four-zone automatic climate control, depending on the trim level. Second-row occupants will appreciate the retractable sunshades for the side windows, but those in the third row will have to do without this small luxury, except in the Limited trim level.

A false note for versatility

The Limited trim level we tested featured fully reclining captain's chairs with footrests in the second row. Combined with the extended sliders described above, these chairs almost transform the Sienna into a limousine. As a bonus, their manual adjustments are significantly easier to use than the electric controls of the Kia Carnival SX+.

On the other hand, like in the latter, you can't remove the centre buckets in the Sienna. The "La-Z-Boy" seats aren't even the issue, since the versions without them also lack removable seats. Toyota explains this omission by the presence of side airbags inside the buckets. Granted, but when it comes to trips to the ecocentre or the hardware store, almost all of the Sienna's rivals are more versatile.

Decent comfort despite a few hiccups

The Sienna offers a very good driving position, high enough to provide excellent visibility, but not necessarily too perched. Wider and less prominent than in the previous generation, the footrest contributes to comfort, as do the excellent centre armrests protruding from the center console. Rear passengers are not left out, particularly in the second row, whose bucket seats are welcoming regardless of the chosen version.

The front seats, however, bothered some of our testers with their firmness. And while their width accommodates all body types, it limits lateral support when cornering. It's also regrettable that lumbar support adjustment is prohibited for LE buyers, who are entitled to eight other power adjustments.

The suspension also raises eyebrows in certain circumstances. Toyota significantly tightened it with the move to the new generation in 2021. This reduced the ample body roll typical of minivans, making the Sienna one of the most stable models in the category.

The downside: damping can sometimes be harsh on bumpy roads, which contrasts with the smooth ride long associated with this vehicle. The XSE trims make matters worse with their so-called "sport" suspension, particularly with the 20-inch wheels of the two-wheel-drive variant.

Almost a (big) investment

We've already established that you have to spend a lot to own a Sienna. At the time of this publication, in July 2025, the four-year monthly lease payment for a front-wheel-drive LE version was $880, including taxes. Given a residual value of $25,000 at the end of the lease, the financing option seemed more advantageous, with payments of $984 over six years.

While we recommend the shortest possible financing term, the extraordinary residual value of the Sienna (and Toyotas in general) justifies the idea of extending the term to six years to save $157 each month compared to a five-year contract. It's not uncommon to see models three or four years old selling for nearly $45,000! As a bonus, if you keep your vehicle for a long time, you'll benefit from rock-solid durability and very reasonable maintenance costs.

Caractéristiques de sécurité

• Antilock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist
• Stability and traction control
• Hill-start assist
• Front airbags
• Driver-side knee airbags
• Front passenger seat-cushion airbag (to prevent sliding under the seatbelt)
• Front and second-row side airbags
• Side curtain airbags
• Front seatbelt pretensioners
• Seven or eight adjustable head restraints
• Rear occupant alert with passenger detection
• Rearview camera
• Tire pressure monitor
• Forward collision alert
• Forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Lane departure alert with steering assist
• Lane centering assist
• Automatic high-beams
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Adaptive cruise control
• Front and rear parking sensors and rear automatic emergency braking (standard, Limited and Platinum; optional, XSE AWD; unavailable, other versions)
• Surround-view cameras (stasndard, Limited and Platinum; unavailable, other versions)

Crash test results

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Insurance Institute For Highway Safety