2020 Toyota Sienna Review: For Families on the Road Less Traveled

Having the historical title of the only minivan in the US that is available with all-wheel-drive, the Toyota Sienna is no stranger to comprehensive vehicle reviews. With minor redesigns in the past, and with the previous year model already showing its age, is the 2020 version still a worthy competitor in the family-carrier segment?

With a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine equipped across the range, the Sienna produces ample power - 296 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque, which is more than what rivals such as the Kia Sedona and the Honda Odyssey can muster. Despite this, some rivals counter this advantage by offering superior onboard technology and smartphone integration, which the Sienna is not equipped with. Although providing a relatively comfortable ride and impressive acceleration, the Sienna is starting to feel a little repetitive year after year. While it offers excellent safety ratings and driver aids, a total redesign will benefit the Sienna greatly in maintaining its solid reputation and brilliant performance.

What's the Price of the 2020 Toyota Sienna?

There are seven variants for sale in the Sienna line-up with the entry-level L model given an MSRP of $31,415. The price of the Toyota Sienna's LE trim is $34,235, and the LE with Auto Access Seat costs almost $6,000 more at $40,160. The sporty SE variant has a starting price of $37,565, while the XLE and XLE with Auto Access Seat cost $37,565, and $43,700 respectively. The top of the range Limited derivative is marketed with an MSRP of $44,310. All variants, barring the entry-level model, are available in all-wheel-drive, which costs approximately $2,500 more, although reducing the seating capacity from eight to seven. All prices quoted, exclude licensing, taxes, registration, and a destination fee of $1,095.

Handling and Driving Impressions

There is a definite sense of satisfaction when driving a large minivan that puts many sedans and smaller vehicles to shame in terms of acceleration. Thanks to the handy eight-speed transmission, the take-off is quick, yet consistent because the Sienna always maintains its composure. The steering is a bit heavier than expected for a vehicle of this type and lacks sufficient feedback, but this is a Sienna after all, not an 86. What it lacks in response is easily made up for by having a small turning circle, which aids in maneuvering its hulking mass through parking lots and other tight spaces.

The handling is quite average for a minivan, and there's definite body roll when taking corners fast, which is to be expected. The general ride quality is excellent, however, with the Sienna easily smoothing out bumps and road texture. The comfortable ride, mixed with the soft, supportive seats and cushioning suspension make the Sienna a happy place to spend long journeys, even when transporting lots of passengers.

For those wanting a sportier ride, the SE model offers a firmer ride and marginally better steering, trading off some comfort at the same time. While the SE's features can improve the feel of the Sienna slightly, it's still a minivan and isn't capable of the agile handling that smaller cars can provide, nor is it as impressive to drive as the Honda Odyssey.

Verdict: Is The 2020 Toyota Sienna A Good car?

At first glance, the 2020 Sienna is starting to look somewhat dated, with bland exterior cues and an interior design that fails to live up to the crossover-inspired standards of the Honda Odyssey and Kia Sedona. It's against these benchmarks that the Sienna finds itself wanting in a number of areas. While it may offer seats for up to eight and class-competitive storage solutions, the Sienna fails to offer the same standards of tech, with Android Auto being notably absent. It also lacks driver involvement - something that may not have been crucial to the minivan once upon a time but is now a virtue and a highly regarded aspect of the Sienna's rivals. Despite the shortcomings, the Sienna still caters to a unique niche in the market, and being the only all-wheel-drive minivan, adventure-seeking families will appreciate the versatility of being able to tackle the road less traveled. It may be a solid choice, with Toyota's penchant for reliability a key selling point, but one can't help but feel the Sienna is past its sell-by date and in desperate need of a revamp.

What Toyota Sienna Model Should I Buy?

With a wide range to choose from, the Sienna models cater to a broad audience. The entry-level model offers great value-for-money, but without the option of all-wheel-drive and missing quite a few of the luxury features on top-end trims, can leave one feeling a little done in. The SE offers a more sporting ride with better handling and a few style enhancements that are quite attractive: with the addition of the Nightshade package, this minivan goes from soccer-mom-car to batmobile quite easily. Although we don't deem the blacked-out cosmetics of the Nightshade edition to be particularly necessary, the SE is the model that offers the best compromise in terms of driving experience, standard features and optional packages that allow the buyer some range of personalization. Adding the Premium package is recommended for the regular vacationers as the added entertainment system is a worthy investment on the long road. With most of the features present in the SE from even the fully-loaded variant, the SE offers the most value for money in the range.

2020 Toyota Sienna Comparisons

2020 Toyota Sienna vs Honda Odyssey

With growing popularity, the Honda Odyssey offers a good comparison to the Sienna. Both vehicles feature a 3.5-liter V6 engine, although the Honda uses a nine-speed, or ten-speed automatic transmission, and makes 280 horsepower, compared to the Sienna's 296 hp. With the more powerful engine, the Toyota offers marginally poorer gas mileage rates of 19/26/21 mpg as opposed to the 19/28/23 mpg of the Honda.

The Odyssey has a more modern interior and - in the opinion of some - offers a more contemporary exterior. Luxury features such as a built-in vacuum and Android Auto are included in the Honda, the latter of which is glaringly absent in the Sienna. At lower levels, the Sienna offers more driver aids and safety features, as well as the option of all-wheel-drive. Additionally, the Sienna can tow 500 lbs more than the Honda. The Honda brings to the table improved ride quality, an enjoyable driver's car, and more potent performance than what the power deficit may suggest. With more refinement and greater features availability, it takes the win, becoming our benchmark for the minivan segment.

2020 Toyota Sienna vs Kia Sedona

The Kia Sedona has a 3.3-liter engine with an eight-speed transmission that makes 276 horsepower; compared to the Sienna's 296 horsepower. The Toyota minivan has more punch under the hood. Interestingly, the Sienna fares better in gas mileage comparisons, with the Sedona earning EPA estimates of 18/24/21 mpg. The Kia shines in its more modern design and equipment, with a classier interior to boot. Android Auto and dual 10.1-inch touchscreens on the Sedona makes up for the less-impressive engine performance, while a lower base price compared to the Toyota seals the deal. As an added touch, Kia offers more extensive warranties. While we believe that fundamentally the Toyota Sienna gets the basics right, the Sedona does all that but is also the obvious choice for tech-savvy buyers looking for quality, capability, and technological advancement.