2024 Toyota Sienna: The Almost Perfect Minivan

The 2024 Toyota Sienna comes with few changes to the lineup. The XSE Platinum trim replaces the 25th Anniversary model. Also, there are some changes to the feature availability across the trims. The 2024 Toyota Sienna price starts at $37,685 and comes only with a hybrid powertrain. Today I’ll be reviewing the top-most Sienna Platinum trim and see if it’s worth almost $55K. Before that, here’s the pricing for all the 2024 Toyota Sienna trims. 

Sleek and Modern Aesthetics

The fully loaded Platinum model gets a few additional features when it comes to the front-end design. It has a smoked gray finish on the large grill that runs across the bottom part. The above part is completely sealed off with the blue Toyota badge, signifying electrification. The XSE model would give you the most aggressive styling. Toyota is nice enough to include standard LED headlights on all versions of the Sienna.

However, there's three versions, so you have reflector LEDs on your lower trims. Once you get to XSE, that will add a LED daytime running light. When you choose the fully loaded Platinum trim, you get Bi-LED projector headlights with all the fancy arrangements, including LED turn signal indicators. Except the base trim, every trim gets LED fog lamps. 

Talking about the rear, the front sleek design continues to the rear as well. However, the exposed wiper on the rear glass looks a bit of an eyesore. Talking about tail lights, only the brake lights are LED, while the turn signals and reverse lights are incandescent in nature. Dropping down to the lower area, there’s a piano black finish, and we also do have a chrome accent for Limited as well as Platinum models. No Sienna model is ever going to have an exposed exhaust outlet. 

So there’s 17-inch alloy wheels, and you can move up to 20-inch alloy wheels when you get to the XSE and the Platinum trim levels. However, I didn't have the 20-inch alloy wheels on my test example. So, that's because, for whatever reason, when you choose AWD, Toyota actually regresses you back to 18-inch alloy wheels. Interestingly enough, the 18-inch alloy wheels are covered up with a silver or chrome-finished hubcap.

Coming to the mirrors, there’s standard heated and standard blind spot monitoring. If you want auto dimming or power folding, you can choose the Limited or Platinum trim levels. The Sienna is about three inches longer than the Grand Highlander, and you do get the signature minivan look with the sliding rear doors. We also have big Chrome roof rails up top as well as the cross bars. 

Premium Interior 

Getting inside is easy as you get smart entry with every Sienna trim above the XLE. The Sienna’s interior is a very functional space with a lot of different details. The Platinum trim level gets you the real leather upholstery in Noble Brown color. The seats are very nice and super comfortable. Of course there’s good perforation running down the middle as well as stitching details. 

The Platinum trim is well-equipped with quality materials and tech 

The front seats are eight-way power adjustable with four-way lumbar support, and there's a memory setting as well. Even the door trim armrest is nicely leather covered, and above is a soft touch plastic. The upper dashboard gets some hard-touch plastics way up on top, but the more accessible areas are going to be covered in leatherette, which matches the seats. 

Also, there’s ample faux wood trim, and to be honest, it doesn't look incredibly realistic, but it does still add a little bit of class. Start the minivan with the push-start button, and you are welcomed by the seven-inch multi-function display. Of course you have your special hybrid gauge cluster. contains all kinds of information, including your hybrid power levels and your all-wheel drive system. The Platinum trim gets a head-up display as well. 

Dual level central storage is clever and well-though of…

The steering is weather-wrapped, heated, and power adjustable. The center console storage space is quite large and deep. Also, you have two USB ports within it. Up in front of that, we've got two cup holders. Also, there’s a gigantic storage shelf that runs below the center console. Plus, there’s wireless charging as well. The gear shifter is quite traditional, and there are no paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Back up to reverse and a low-res 360 camera view pops up. 

The front seats are heated and ventilated. You also get quad-zone climate control. You get a 12-speaker JBL sound system as well. You get Toyota’s updated 9.0-inch infotainment screen just above the climate controls. You get Apple CaPlay and Android Auto for connectivity. For a more airy cabin, you do get a standard sunroof on all but the base trim. 

The second row captain seats allow 39.9 inches of legroom and 39.3 inches of headroom. However, I'm not really entirely sure why Toyota even put a legroom figure on the list. The Sienna has this really cool feature called a super long slide. So, the second row seats can slide maximum to the front and rear, making it fit almost anyone. For better comfort, there are air vents on the roof.

You also get an optional rear entertainment system for an additional $1400. Coming to the third row, there’s 38 inches of legroom and 37 inches of headroom, which is an incredible amount of space. Even the thigh support is very nice, and the seats are very comfortable. 

Talking about the cargo space, there’s plenty of it. So, there’s 33 cubic feet of space behind the third row seats. It increases to 75 cubic feet if we fold those seats down. As a maximum, we're looking at 101 cubic feet of cargo capacity. So, overall, that’s more than what you get on the Grand Highlander, and thus minivans seem to be more practical than SUVs. 

2024 Toyota Sienna Is The Only Conventional Hybrid Minivan In The Market 

The 2024 Toyota Sienna gets a sole hybrid powertrain. It consists of a 2.5-liter inline-four engine and two electric motors. The combined output stands at 245 horsepower. As expected, FWD is standard. However, there's an all-wheel-drive option as well, and the same adds a third electric motor to drive the rear wheels. 

Slow acceleration off the line but very good fuel economy 

The 2024 Toyota Sienna 0-60 sprint takes around 7.6 seconds, which is very similar to the Pacifica PHEV. However, it’s slower than the non-hybrid Chrysler Pacifica, Honda Odyssey, and even the Kia Carnival. That said, the Sienna is the only conventional hybrid on the market for now. The slow acceleration compensates for very good mpg ratings. The 2024 Toyota Sienna AWD delivers an EPA-estimated 35 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. The combined mileage is 35 mpg, which is pretty solid. 

2024 Toyota Sienna Drives Well But Not Meant For Corners 

The electric torque, I think, really gets you off the line nicely on the front end, and it makes it feel quicker than it actually is. The 2.5 liter is a little bit louder than what I would like, for sure. The engine sounds strained, but actually it doesn't feel so while driving. The eCVT transmission on board works just fine, and there’s no complaint with it. 

The Sienna isn’t the best-handling minivan in the segment, but it sure does drive like a car rather than a minivan. The braking is a bit inconsistent for my liking, but the van will stop safely nonetheless. The steering feels accurate and well calibrated: heavy on the highways and light on low-speed maneuvers. Also, the NVH levels are similar to most other minivans. 

Should You Buy It? 

If you are a family person, then the Sienna won’t disappoint with space and comfort. It also offers class-leading fuel economy. However, it somewhat lacks the driving feel that most drivers would prefer. Overall, the Toyota Sienna is not a perfect vehicle but ticks most of the right boxes in the minivan segment.