Vehicle Type: Minivan
Price Range: $37,895 - $52,930
Powertrain: The 2023 Toyota Sienna is available only as a hybrid with a base 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine assisted by two electric motors.
This hybrid powertrain puts out a total of 245 horsepower through a continuously variable automatic transmission.
While the standard powertrain is a front-wheel drive version, it is also available with all-wheel drive.
This version adds a third electric motor that drives the rear wheels and puts out the same amount of horsepower as the FWD model.
What’s New for 2023?
Since the Sienna is only in the third year of this hybrid-only generation, there are few changes to the existing trim levels. However, this model year has seen the addition of a 25th Anniversary Edition to celebrate 25 years of the Sienna.
This edition is limited to 2,525 vans and comes with all kinds of special features like 20-inch wheels, a roof rack, and your choice of Celestial Silver or Wind Chill Pearl paint. Inside, the 25th Anniversary Edition comes with black leather and silver stitching and special badging as well as a high-end JBL sound system.
What’s Good?
- The sporty-looking stance and exterior of the 2023 Sienna set it apart from the dwindling crowd of minivans still available on the market
- The exclusive use of hybrid powertrains in every trim level of the Sienna brings down gas mileage and helps push the minivan into competition with some of the more popular SUVs which have taken its place in recent years
- With 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space and 38.7 inches of legroom in the second and third rows, there is plenty of space for all passengers, no matter what you have to carry with you
- The Sienna has a lot of trim level options to satisfy nearly any kind of driver including the LE, XLE, XSE, Woodland Edition, 25th Anniversary Edition, Limited, and Platinum
What’s Bad?
- The touchscreen infotainment system that is built into the Sienna’s dashboard has clunky, unintuitive software that can be a distraction if you aren’t used to it and know how to use it by heart
- Even though the engine is relatively small since the electric motors handle some of the burden, it can be incredibly loud, which could be a downside on long road trips or commutes
- Other minivans on the market, such as the Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Pacifica, and Kia Carnival, are quite a bit cheaper, even if they don’t have quite as many options for trim levels or available hybrid versions
- The engine is slightly underpowered and has a fairly slow zero to 60 time, especially when compared to other minivans in the segment, which can be disappointing if you are hoping for a little bit of power to go with your family van
Would we buy one? Yes, absolutely. The sleek styling and wide variety of options make it a great choice for all kinds of families and individuals.
More Photos:
See more 2023 Toyota Sienna Photos.
Overview:
The Toyota Sienna is currently in the third year of this new generation and the 2023 model brings even more style and substance to the table. Its sleek, almost sporty exterior is refreshing in a segment that is usually dominated by bubbly, practical-looking vehicles. That doesn’t mean that the 2023 Sienna isn’t practical, though. There are plenty of features and conveniences that make it a great choice for families or people who want enough space for all their friends, no matter where they might be going.
One of the things that set the 2023 Sienna apart from other minivans currently in production is the fact that it is only available as a hybrid vehicle. The hybridized 2.5-liter four-cylinder puts out 245 horsepower with the help of two electric motors in the FWD version and three motors in the AWD version. All of this runs through a CVT transmission, which results in a zero to 60 time of 7.7 seconds. While this may not be the fastest vehicle on the road, its efficiency more than makes up for it.
Gas mileage is one aspect of the 2023 Sienna that really stands out from the competition. The front-wheel drive version gets an EPA-estimated 36 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. Should you opt for the AWD version, this comes down 1 mpg for 35 city and 35 hwy. Your actual mileage will depend on the kind of driving you do and the trim level. For example, the Woodland Edition has a 0.6-inch lift kit on it, which can affect aerodynamics.
Inside, the 2023 Sienna is comfortable and incredibly stylish. While the second-row seats don’t come out, if you choose the optional captain’s chairs, they can be moved either forward or backward up to 25 inches for excellent maneuverability. Plus, if you opt for Limited or Platinum trim levels, you get reclining second-row seats and pop-up ottomans. The interior also features a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system above the climate control knobs that has both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. It also comes with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 bundle, which includes automated emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.
Overall Score: 4/5 stars
Driving Experience: 3/5 stars
One of the major downsides of the Sienna’s fuel efficiency and hybrid powertrain is lower overall performance.
With a slow zero to 60 time and sluggish steering, it doesn’t have any of the sporty zip that some other minivans in its class, most of which feature V6 engines instead of four-cylinder, may have.
One of the main complaints from test drivers has been that at highway speeds, the engine and hybrid system are incredibly loud inside the cabin, which can detract from the overall driving experience.
Safety Features: 5/5 stars
The Toyota Safety Sense bundle is well-known for being incredibly comprehensive and including everything you need to feel safe when you are out on the road.
Standard features that come with every Toyota Sienna include automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.
If you like, you can also purchase optional safety and convenience features like a 360-degree camera and parking sensors for blind-spot monitoring.
On top of the Safety Sense bundle, you also get Toyota’s excellent reputation for safety and reliability no matter what trim level you opt for.
While the 2023 model hasn’t been evaluated by the IIHS yet, the 2022 model scored high on all crash tests and this year’s version is expected to do the same.
Value: 3/5 stars
One of the big downsides of the 2023 Sienna minivan is the fact that it has a higher MSRP than other vans in its class.
The base LE model is almost $3,000 more than the base model of the Kia Carnival, however it should be noted that the base Carnival is a fully gas vehicle, which could end up costing more in the long run.
The fact that the fuel economy for every version of the Sienna is so good can potentially make up for the higher cost upfront.
There are all kinds of standard features that come with all the trim levels as well, so you can be sure that you are getting everything you need from even the base Toyota Sienna LE.
Tech Features: 4/5 stars
The 2023 Sienna comes with a standard 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
Unlike many other vehicles currently on the market, the Sienna also comes with Amazon Alexa connectivity for voice control and other convenient features.
The standard sound system is a six-speaker setup but if you opt for some of the higher trim levels like the Limited and Platinum, this is upgraded to a high-end 12-speaker JBL sound system.
From the XSE trim up, built-in navigation is a standard feature and is located in the dash for convenience and safety on the road.
For all models except for the base Toyota Sienna LE, you have the option to add an 11.6-inch rear seat entertainment system for the kids or other passengers on long road trips or commutes.
Practicality: 5/5 stars
Practicality is one of the things that the 2023 Sienna has going for it the most and its fuel economy and simple, sleek design speak to that.
The massive cargo space and comfortable seating make the Sienna a great, practical choice for people who want to take long trips without discomfort or arguments in the back seat.
For those who love the outdoors, the Woodland Edition features 0.6 inches higher ground clearance, a roof rack, a towing hitch, and a 1,500-watt outlet for all your camping accessories.
The seven USB ports throughout the cabin are perfect for charging and connecting to the infotainment system, so you will never be without your devices no matter where you are.
Styling & Design: 4/5 stars
While style is subjective, the 2023 Sienna has a much lower and sportier stance than some of the other minivans being sold on the market today.
The high-quality materials used in the interior, including leather upholstery in some of the upper trim levels, make it a great choice for people who want a little bit of class with their minivan.
The front seat area is attractively designed and comfortable, with a passenger- and driver-oriented layout.
The tall center console separates the front and back seats and gives each area its own look and feel, which is different from the standard minivan layout.
Fuel Efficiency: 5/5 stars
The 2023 Sienna’s fuel efficiency is what makes it such a good deal and makes the higher price tag well worth it in the long run.
Even the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid gets 3 combined mpg less than the Sienna and it is much more expensive once you get to the hybrid trim levels.
The fact that even the AWD version of the Sienna only gets 1 mpg less than the FWD version means you can save money at the pump no matter what configuration you opt for.
What’s it Going to Cost Me?
The Sienna LE is the base model and starts at $37,895 including the delivery fee that all vans from Toyota require. This option comes with the basic hybrid powertrain and electronically-controlled CVT transmission with front-wheel drive. If you want this version in AWD, the price goes up to $39,470.
The Sienna XLE is the next step up and comes with extra features like a power moonroof with a sunshade, hands-free power sliding doors, and Softex-trimmed seats. This version comes in three different configurations. For the eight-passenger FWD version and the FWD version with captain’s chairs, it will cost $42,780. If you want the AWD version with captain’s chairs, it starts at $44,780.
The sportier Sienna XSE features a sport-tuned suspension, available 20-inch wheels, and Softex-sport trimmed seats. This model is only available with captain’s chairs and starts at $45,030 for the FWD version. The all-wheel drive configuration starts at $45,790.
The outdoor-oriented Woodland Edition has a higher ground clearance than the other trim levels as well as a trailer hitch and a 1,500-watt electrical outlet for all your camping gear. This model only comes in AWD with captain’s chairs and starts at $48,280.
The Sienna 25th Anniversary Special Edition is incredibly limited and comes with special badges and custom floor mats as well as a special key fob. For the FWD version, you will pay $48,755 and for the AWD you can expect to pay $49,515. Both of these models come with captain’s chairs in the second row.
The Sienna Limited is on the higher end of the spectrum and features a premium JBL audio system with navigation and 12 speakers as well as leather-trimmed seats. The Limited starts at $49,730 for the FWD version and $51,730 for the AWD version.
The highest trim level is the Sienna Platinum, which comes with high-end features like available 20-inch wheels, a 10-inch head-up display, and a 360-degree panoramic camera system. The Platinum starts at $52,930 for the FWD configuration and $53,689 for all-wheel drive.
