30Jun
The newest Toyota Sienna faces stiff competition with decidedly more to offer, but it is still the winning family minivan you always knew
The 2023 Toyota Sienna is a hybrid vehicle, offering a fuel economy of either 36 or 35 mpg combined depending on whether or not you opt for the all-wheel-drive system. This is a significant advantage over most of its minivan rivals, which are typically powered by V6 engines and return 22 mpg combined.
According to the EPA, this could result in savings of over $1,000 per year compared to other minivans or large crossovers. This impressive efficiency makes the Sienna the top choice for a minivan. So, how much can you expect to pay for the newest Sienna?
Related: How Much Bigger Is The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander and How Does It Compare To The Highlander?
How Much Is The 2023 Toyota Sienna In Nigeria?
The starting price for the 2023 Toyota Sienna is $35,385, which translates to around ₦27 million, excluding logistics and custom duty expenses.
Moving up from the base model Sienna, the mid-range XLE trim starts at $40,695 (around ₦31 million) for either the 7-seat or 8-seat variant, while the XSE trim starts at $42,945 (around ₦32.7 million).
Still moving up the trim ladder, pricing for the Woodland Special Edition model starts at $46,195 (around ₦35.2 million), while the 25th Anniversary Special Edition is just a few hundred dollars more expensive than the Woodland Special Edition – starting at $46,670 (around ₦35.5 million).
Notably, the Sienna is not only popular for its fuel economy. It is a well-rounded minivan with numerous other strengths, including exceptional cabin storage, a bold interior design, and versatile Super Long Slide second-row seats that are particularly useful for families with older children.
The Sienna's handling is also sharper than that of its competitors, and it boasts strong feature content, ample cargo space, and excellent safety ratings. Let’s see how the new Sienna earns the thousands of dollars you have to pay for it.
The 2023 Toyota Sienna Fuel Economy
Given that most other features are comparable, the Sienna's significant fuel economy advantage is often the deciding factor.
However, there is one competitor, the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, that can offer even greater gas savings due to its plug-in hybrid technology and all-electric range.
Despite this, the Pacifica Hybrid is pricier and may be more difficult to find in the current market, which is why we ultimately chose the Sienna as our top pick for a minivan.
Although our comparison test between the Sienna and Pacifica Hybrid was a close call, we recommend considering both as top options when searching for a minivan.
What’s New With The 2023 Toyota Sienna?
As for what’s new with the updated 2023 Toyota Sienna, the lineup now includes the 25th Anniversary Special Edition we mentioned earlier, commemorating the model's 25th year of production.
Sienna fans will surely appreciate this new addition to the lineup. The 25th Anniversary Special Edition of the Sienna is based on the XSE trim level and includes several additional luxury features from the Limited trim.
It also boasts unique styling elements both inside and out, and is only available in Celestial Silver or Wind Chill Pearl.
How Is The 2023 Toyota Sienna Interior Design?
The Sienna's front cabin remains remarkably stylish for a minivan, even though its rival Kia Carnival offers an overall better interior.
The Sienna’s dashboard controls angle slightly towards the driver, while the high center console creates a more car-like or SUV-like feel. However, this console serves primarily as a bridge over a large open space ideal for storing items such as a purse or small diaper bag.
There are also several other convenient storage areas upfront, which we discuss in detail in our in-depth review of the Sienna's interior storage.
We noted that the new Sienna’s cabin quality vary significantly depending on the trim level. For instance, the Sienna’s higher trim levels, including the XSE, Limited, and Platinum, feature padded, leather-look trim on the doors and a modern wood-look trim on the console.
On the other hand, the lower XLE trim level has hard, textured plastic instead of padded materials, and an odd rust-colored plastic trim with embossed lines and metallic specks. This gives the Sienna a less luxurious look and feel compared to its competitors and could impact its overall appeal.
How Is The 2023 Toyota Sienna’s Tech Features?
Note that the 2023 Sienna’s tech features include SiriusXM satellite radio, Tri-zone automatic climate control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, Adaptive cruise control, Automatic emergency braking, up to 8-speaker sound system, Power-sliding side doors, and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot.
The latest Toyota Sienna offers all the familiar standard features, and the 9-inch touchscreen is easily accessible, thanks to the angled design, and user-friendly.
However, it falls short compared to its competitors, particularly Chrysler and Kia, in terms of system functionality.
The Sienna's rear seat entertainment system only has one roof-mounted screen, while the Chrysler offers dual seatback screens. Additionally, the Sienna's USB ports are not as conveniently located as those in the Chrysler and Kia models.
How Is The 2023 Toyota Sienna’s Interior And Cargo Volume?
Precisely, the 2023 Toyota Sienna offers an EPA-estimated 193.2 cu.ft. of interior volume, thanks to a 120.5-inch wheelbase.
The Sienna’s trunk volume is 101 cu.ft in total, and 33.5 cu.ft with the seats not folded down. The Sienna minivan is comparable in size to other vehicles in its class.
We note that it offers similar maneuverability and cargo space behind the third-row seat. However, the specifications indicate less cargo space when the third and second-row seats are lowered.
We suspect that this discrepancy is due to differences in how manufacturers measure cargo capacity, and in reality, the Sienna's cargo space is likely similar to its competitors.
The primary difference between minivans lies in their second-row seating arrangements. The Sienna provides two options, similar to the Kia Carnival.
The eight-passenger model is ideal for parents with younger children as it features a removable second-row middle seat that accommodates a child seat while keeping the outboard seats open.
Related: The 2023 Hyundai Sonata: A New Era of Modern Elegance
The Cabin Space Gets Better As You Move Up The Trim Ladder
The new Sienna’s higher-end trims offer a seven-passenger configuration with new "Super Long Slide" second-row captain's chairs that surpass its competitors' sliding capabilities by a considerable amount.
When slid to the rear, these chairs provide ample legroom, even for NBA forwards to stretch out and relax. Moreover, sliding them all the way forward to the front seats maximizes interior space, making it easier to fit whatever you need without having to move the seats.
These seats are also more comfortable than the non-hybrid Chrysler Pacifica's Stow 'N Go seats. Additionally, a second lever folds the seat cushion up and the seatback forward, which can provide easy access to the third row or maximize cargo volume.
While the Stow 'N Go system is advantageous for those who prioritize cargo-carrying versatility and Honda's "Magic Slide" second-row seating is ideal for parents with multiple small children, it ultimately comes down to personal preference.
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing the best seating configuration for your needs. Having options is always a good thing, and in this case, we believe that the Sienna's seating concept is most suitable for families with older children.
How Is The 2023 Toyota Sienna’s Engine, Performance, And Mileage?
The 2023 Toyota Sienna uses a hybrid powertrain featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, with an optional third motor available for all-wheel drive.
Unlike the plug-in hybrid Pacifica, the Sienna's battery recoups energy from the brakes and engine. The total system output is 245 horsepower, which is lower than its V6-powered rivals.
However, the Sienna's fuel economy is significantly higher. Toyota estimates that the Sienna will achieve 36 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 35 mpg combined with AWD in EPA testing.
On a 454-mile road trip, test drivers achieved an average of 39.4 mpg without making any effort to drive efficiently. In comparison, the Odyssey, Carnival, and V6-powered Pacifica get an average of 22 mpg combined.
With today's high gas prices, opting for the Sienna could result in significant savings of up to $1,000 (about ₦764,000) per year in gas costs.
Even if gas prices comes down, the potential for hundreds of dollars in savings remains a compelling factor you certainly shouldn’t downplay.
How Does The 2023 Toyota Sienna Handle On The Road?
Regarding the driving experience, the hybrid-only Sienna may not be the top choice for those with a lead foot, although that's likely a minority.
For most minivan owners, the new Sienna’s power output should be sufficient, and the electric torque's instantaneous nature gives it a quick feel when accelerating around town.
However, the e-CVT reportedly can produce a droning sound, particularly when accelerating onto the highway. Overall, the Sienna provides a smooth and quiet ride, with impressively responsive handling.
The engine produces minimal noise when not accelerating, and road and wind noise is well-filtered before it enters the cabin.
We expect the Sienna's suspension system to offer excellent support for its long and bulky body, without being too harsh on rough roads around places like Nigeria’s notorious Abia and Anambara States.
Compared to earlier versions of the Sienna, which had a tendency to feel floaty, the new model is reportedly much more engaging to drive and is now considered the most engaging minivan on the market.
Automotive journalists used to encourage shoppers to opt for the more controlled Sienna SE trim level. However, we note that even the new XSE trim, which offers a similarly "sporty" feel, is not the Holy Grail for those who prefer a more composed or engaging driving experience.
A Closer Look At The 2023 Toyota Sienna Woodland Edition
Take the Woodland Edition, for example. It's important to note that it does not offer a driving experience significantly different from other Sienna models. So, the Woodland should not be mistaken for a Subaru Outback of minivans.
While the Sienna Woodland Edition does offer some additional ground clearance, with only a 0.59-inch increase over the Sienna XLE to a total of 6.96 inches, it may only serve to prevent a tow hitch from scraping on a driveway, which is an issue in other Sienna models.
With no other significant mechanical improvements and only minor aesthetic differences, the Woodland Edition feels like a missed opportunity on the part of Toyota to create a truly unique and exciting option for families seeking to embark on particularly adventurous trips.
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