Road test | Toyota Sienna: what more could you ask for?

It seems a long time ago when the minivan reigned supreme in the paved entrances of North American suburbs. Designed specifically to support the growing families of baby boomers, it did not have the same resonance with the following generations, much more attracted by family-oriented SUVs, which are less old-fashioned in their eyes. Its inevitable decline therefore continues, without however raising the white flag. The Toyota Sienna, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, is a convincing example.

Design

This generation of the Sienna has been with us for two years, all the same. However, time has not erased this rare audacity on the part of Toyota in the stylistic path taken. Of course, we could say that we force the note in certain places, including this huge grille, a reference which seems to be borrowed from the railway world. The fact remains that it stands out with its own visual identity. On the side, for example, there is an upward line that interlocks with the sliding doors accompanied by a bulge. It adds texture, while reminiscent of the GR Corolla and GR Supra, which use oversized wings for performance. At the rear, the extension of the lights on the fenders by means of a black molding accentuates this visual artifice. Because here, there is no consideration of sportsmanship on the technical level.

On board

The Sienna provides impeccable accessibility to the passenger compartment thanks to the combination of a flat floor and a fairly high roof. The driver gets comfortable quickly due to fairly complete adjustments to his seat, but also to the layout of the controls, all of which are physical. The ergonomics are undeniably efficient, coupled with voluminous storage space on and under the central console as well as in the doors and at the bottom of the dashboard. However, we would have liked a little more closed spaces. The Sienna exposes its limits on the configuration of the seats in the back. When opting for the “captain” seats in the middle row, these benefit from long rails for legroom, but do not have backrests that can recline flat. They also cannot fold into the floor, as is the case for the rear seat. Headroom is also surprisingly limited, for both front and rear passengers, due to the fixed seat height.

Under the hood

Regardless of the chosen livery, the Sienna is powered by a 245 hp hybrid engine consisting of a 189 hp 2.5 L four-cylinder engine coupled with an electric motor. The version tested had an additional electric motor bolted to the rear of 54 hp to ensure greater traction. The wintry conditions in December showed a very neutral and reassuring behavior. The gain in motricity starting from a static position on a slippery surface is notable. As a whole, the hybrid group ensures a dialogue between the transparent mechanical organs. The screaming sound of the four-cylinder encourages us to avoid sudden accelerations, acceptable without more besides. The efficiency of this mechanism nevertheless remains unequaled in the segment, if we exclude the plug-in Chrysler Pacifica. At temperatures well below 0℃, the vehicle averaged 8.1 L/100 km during the test, just 1.3/100 km more than estimated.

Behind the wheel

“Sport-tuned suspension”. This assertion – which a priori does not mean anything – appears in the technical sheet of the XSE livery tested. We salute Toyota’s effort to cultivate the driving pleasure of its models, but it takes a lot of imagination to denote any sporting inclination to this Sienna. We certainly swim more in a lexical field of comfort and tranquility to qualify his service. On these aspects, she receives many accolades. The steering isn’t ugly either, presenting no apparent void and allowing grip with the desired aplomb. The Sienna’s lower center of gravity, as opposed to SUVs, provides slightly better cornering body roll control overall as well. We like a little less the adjustment of the brake pedal, which is sorely lacking in progressiveness.

Embedded technologies

Technologically, the minivan advances its assets on tiptoe, it which focuses its arguments on its versatility and frugality. Never mind, it benefits from a user-friendly multimedia interface, but which seems to belong to a previous generation when compared to rivals. The definition and the level of blacks are correct, nothing more, as is the set of features and its responsiveness. Toyota focuses here on the essentials, which is not a bad position for all that. We appreciate the fairly high location of the touch screen, which makes it possible to avoid looking down when consulting it. The instrumentation mixes digital with physical needles. A small central screen projects driving data with a readability that could be improved. To complete the picture, note the presence of standard active safety elements.

The verdict

The Toyota Sienna is unquestionably the queen of its segment, indeed of all these so-called mid-size family vehicles. Offered at a price comparable to a competition that retains the much more gluttonous V6 services, it combines its versatility with exceptional frugality, good soundproofing and undeniable comfort. Admittedly, it’s not a first in class when analyzing the configurable aspect of its interior, but its strengths amply outweigh its weaknesses. What’s more, its all-wheel drive does not penalize it in terms of fuel consumption and is offered for only $2,000 more. But what we love most about this minivan is that it delivers on its promises without getting lost in the often unnecessary off-road capacity commitments typically associated with these city SUVs. It should definitely be at the top of a medium-sized family’s shopping list…if you can of course get your hands on a copy.