It’s both a wonder and a given that minivans still exist in today’s automotive sphere. Many predicted (dare we say, even hoped) the minivan would give way to sporty, stylish crossovers and the days of sliding doors, blunt-nosed designs, and soccer-mom-pleasing features would fade like embarrassing high school memories.
Over the years, however, these passenger vans have continued to serve their families well. And like those cringe-worthy times of years gone by, they’re both unavoidable and necessary for growth.
They’re not all that bad, though. Minivans may once have occupied a status many now relegate to the Toyota Prius, but nowadays they’re much cooler than they used to be. Take the 2020 Toyota Sienna, for example; there’s plenty to be thankful for in this minivan. Keep reading and you’ll find out why the Sienna rises above the rest to herd around families in a way no other minivan can.
Performance Specifications
Talking about the power beneath a minivan’s hood might not seem like all the rage these days, but did you know the Toyota Sienna is available in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive? Besides one other competitor, it’s the only minivan to have this capability.
Underneath that rather blunt-nosed hood sits a 3.5-liter V6 engine capable of 296 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque. Pair this to an 8-speed automatic transmission and you’ve got the ability to tow up to 3,500 pounds, no matter what. What more could you ask from a modern minivan?
Available Colors
Toyota offers the 2020 Sienna in the following family-friendly colors.
- Parisian Night Pearl
- Celestial Silver Metallic
- Super White
- Midnight Black Metallic
- Predawn Gray Mica
- Salsa Red Pearl
- Alumina Jade Metallic
- Blizzard Pearl
- Toasted Walnut Pearl
Trimlines and Prices
Ready to kit out your kid-hauler? Here are the trim levels Toyota offers on the new Sienna minivan.
L
Riding on 17-inch wheels, the base 2020 Sienna starts at $31,640. Drivers will enjoy the 7-inch infotainment touchscreen, which includes Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, and Amazon’s Alexa. Remote keyless entry is standard as well.
LE
Tired of yanking on those pesky sliding doors? Choose the LE model for the power sliding doors on either side of the 2020 Sienna. Also included on this model is a power driver’s seat, an upgraded infotainment setup, and easy-to-clean cloth upholstery. All-wheel drive is available on this trim and those after it.
SE
A power liftgate will please the busiest of parents who have hands too full to open doors themselves. Leather upholstery gives the cabin a bit of class, at least in the front 2 rows, and heated front seats will please driver and passenger alike.
XLE
Both front seats are powered in the XLE model, along with a push button start and “woodgrain-style trim.” A moonroof will let the sun in when you want it and provide a protective barrier when you don’t.
Limited
Power folds down the third row seats on this trim, which also includes a moonroof and heated steering wheel. Second-row seats give passengers that luxury feeling, rather than a typical bench seat you might find in a crossover or SUV. “Navigation, a 10-speaker JBL sound system,” and Driver Easy Speak round out the offerings on this top-tier trim level.
Customers can also choose Premium versions of the SE, XLE, and Limited trims. While the majority of front-wheel drive models seat eight people, the “base model, the Limited trim, and all-wheel-drive models seat up to seven.” Toyota also offers a Nightshade edition, which outlines the entire vehicle in black, including the badging.
Safety Features
The 2020 Toyota Sienna received 5 out of 5 stars overall from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, when it came to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), things started to fall apart. The vehicle received a “Good” rating in the Moderate overlap front, Side, Roof strength, and Head restraints & seat categories. However, an “Acceptable” rating in the Small overlap front: driver-side and a “Marginal” rating in the Small overlap front: passenger-side may concern some customers.
That said, the 2020 Sienna does come with Toyota’s Safety Sense P. Standard on all Toyota models with this safety package are features such as “a rearview camera, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and a pre-collision warning and braking system with pedestrian detection.” Systems such as forward-collision mitigation and road-sign recognition are standard equipment as well. For an additional cost, you can add on “a surround-view parking camera, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and front and rear parking sensors.”
Fuel Efficiency
You probably saw that V6 engine above and thought, “Whoa, how can I have a powerful minivan but still stick to my monthly fuel budget?” While you won’t see hybrid-like numbers from the 2020 Sienna, you can breath a sigh of relief.
The EPA reports the 2020 Toyota Sienna makes 19 city and 26 highway EPA-estimated miles-per-gallon (MPG). That’s in front-wheel drive, and you’ll won’t lose much if you do (and you should) choose all-wheel drive. Numbers drop to 18 and 24 MPG respectively. These are typical ratings for a minivan, according to U.S. News.
Competitors
Toyota, and many of the reviewers who test-drove the 2020 Sienna, are quick to point out the obvious capability that puts the model above the other sliding-door rivals: all-wheel drive (AWD). The ability to carry 7-8 passengers and get them through inclement weather too is a strength only the 2020 Toyota Sienna and the Chrysler Pacifica can lay claim to, at least for now.
But while AWD puts the 2020 Sienna ahead of the pack, that’s not to say it’s a perfect vehicle. Edmunds disliked the “awkward and dated control layout” and admitted the Sienna had “more wind and road noise than expected.” Rivals such as the Chrysler Pacifica do carry more of a luxury element, and interestingly enough, Android Auto isn’t supported in the 2020 Sienna. Suffice it to say the 2020 Toyota Sienna is “due for an upgrade,” at least as far as the interior goes.
That’s not to say it’s all bad. In fact, U.S. News recognized the model as a finalist for the 2020 Best Minivan for Families award. The reviewers pointed to “a solid combination of cargo and passenger space, safety and reliability ratings, positive reviews from automotive journalists, and available family-friendly features” as reasons why the 2020 Sienna was nominated. There’s plenty to love about the 2020 Toyota Sienna.
The Last Word
Shopping for a new family car? Check out the 2020 Toyota Sienna, a minivan to rival all others. It may not be your ideal crossover or favorite sporty SUV, but the 2020 Sienna brings quite an offering to the table. Standard features like available all-wheel drive, modern technology, and the simple refinement only Toyota can infuse into a minivan all work in the 2020 Sienna’s favor. Stop by your local Toyota dealership to test drive this modern minivan today.
Source: Toyota.com
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