The Toyota Sienna has long been a staple in the minivan segment, consistently praised for its reliability, fuel efficiency, and family-friendly features. For those in the market for a spacious and practical vehicle, the 2023 Toyota Sienna XLE 7-passenger AWD model presents a compelling option. This review dives into the specifics of the Sienna XLE AWD, exploring its strengths and weaknesses to help you determine if it’s the right minivan for your needs.
Pros of the Toyota Sienna
The Sienna shines in several key areas, making it a top contender in the minivan class.
Excellent Fuel Economy
One of the most significant advantages of the Toyota Sienna is its exceptional fuel economy. As a hybrid-only minivan, the Sienna boasts impressive gas mileage that surpasses nearly all other vehicles in its class, and even many smaller SUVs. This fuel efficiency translates to significant savings at the pump, especially for families who frequently embark on long journeys or navigate daily commutes. While official figures may vary slightly, owners consistently report impressive MPG, making it a standout feature for budget-conscious buyers.
Spacious and Highly Usable Interior
The interior of the Sienna is designed with practicality and usability in mind. The cabin offers a wealth of space for both passengers and cargo. The seven-passenger configuration provides comfortable seating across three rows, with the second-row seats offering particularly generous legroom, especially when slid all the way back. This “living room” class legroom in the second row ensures even taller adults can relax comfortably on long trips.
Beyond passenger space, the Sienna excels in storage solutions. Numerous small item storage spaces are thoughtfully placed throughout the cabin, including a very usable “shelf” on the front dashboard ideal for phones, sunglasses, and other everyday essentials. While not equipped with Chrysler/Dodge’s “stow and go” seating, the Sienna’s third-row seats do fold down to create a large, flat cargo area, accommodating luggage, groceries, or sports equipment with ease. The long track for adjusting the second-row seats further enhances versatility, allowing for customization of passenger and cargo space as needed.
Comfortable and Adjustable Seating
Comfort is paramount in a family vehicle, and the Sienna delivers with its highly adjustable and supportive seats. The “Softex” seats, while not genuine leather, offer a pleasant blend of comfort and practicality. They are soft to the touch, easy to clean – a crucial feature for families – and resistant to cracking, a common issue with leather over time. The extensive adjustability of the seats allows drivers and passengers to find their ideal seating position, contributing to a comfortable ride even on extended drives. Heated front seats add an extra layer of comfort in colder climates, although they may take a little while to reach optimal warmth.
Comprehensive Safety Features
Toyota’s commitment to safety is evident in the Sienna, which comes equipped with Toyota Safety Sense. This suite of safety technologies includes adaptive cruise control, which can automatically adjust speed to maintain a safe following distance and even bring the vehicle to a complete stop in traffic. This feature is particularly helpful in stop-and-go traffic situations, reducing driver fatigue and enhancing safety. Additional safety features like blind spot monitoring further contribute to a safer driving experience. While the backup camera is functional, there is room for improvement in terms of resolution and features like dynamic guidelines and a 360-degree view, which are increasingly common in modern vehicles.
Cons of the Toyota Sienna
Despite its many strengths, the Sienna is not without its drawbacks.
Quirky Infotainment System
The infotainment system in the Sienna is often cited as a point of frustration. While functional, it can be described as quirky and less intuitive than systems found in some competitors. The voice recognition software, in particular, is noted as being subpar and unreliable, leading many owners to avoid using it altogether. For tech-savvy users accustomed to seamless and responsive infotainment systems, the Sienna’s system may feel somewhat outdated.
Rear Seat Access
Access to the third row, while typical for minivans, can be a little challenging, especially for adults or those with mobility limitations. While not a major obstacle, it’s worth noting that getting into and out of the very back seats requires a bit of maneuvering.
Problematic Hands-Free Door Openers
The hands-free door openers are another feature that has received criticism. While intended to be convenient, they can be unreliable and sometimes activate unintentionally or fail to open when needed. This inconsistency can be frustrating and detracts from the overall user experience.
Performance and Driving Experience
Adequate Power, Not a Towing Powerhouse
The Sienna’s hybrid powertrain provides adequate power for daily driving and passenger hauling. While not designed for high-performance driving or heavy towing, it offers sufficient acceleration and responsiveness for typical minivan duties. Comparisons to older V6 Siennas have shown the hybrid model to be surprisingly quick in acceleration tests. However, it’s important to manage expectations – the Sienna is not intended for towing large trailers or campers. For those needing significant towing capacity, a truck or a large SUV would be a more suitable choice.
Exceptional All-Wheel Drive in Snow and Ice
The All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system in the Sienna is a standout feature, particularly for drivers in regions with snowy or icy conditions. The AWD provides exceptional traction and stability, inspiring confidence in challenging winter driving scenarios. Owners have reported impressive performance in heavy snow, with the Sienna maintaining composure and control where many other vehicles struggle. This sure-footedness in winter conditions is a significant advantage for families living in colder climates.
Overall Verdict
The 2023 Toyota Sienna XLE 7-passenger AWD earns a solid ‘A’ rating as a practical, comfortable, and fuel-efficient minivan. Its strengths in fuel economy, spaciousness, safety, and resale value significantly outweigh its minor drawbacks. While the infotainment system and hands-free door openers could use improvement, and rear seat access is typical for the class, these are relatively minor issues in the context of the vehicle’s overall excellence.
For families prioritizing practicality, fuel efficiency, and reliability in a minivan, the Toyota Sienna remains an outstanding choice. It’s advisable to consider skipping the optional rear-seat infotainment system and to inquire about the availability of a spare tire, which may be an optional extra. Given the Sienna’s high demand, it’s also recommended to shop around and avoid dealerships that are charging above MSRP to ensure you get the best possible value.
In conclusion, the Toyota Sienna successfully blends practicality and comfort into a compelling minivan package, making it a top recommendation for families seeking a versatile and dependable vehicle.
