The 2023 Toyota Sienna XLE emerges as a compelling choice in the minivan segment, prioritizing practicality, fuel efficiency, and family comfort. Having spent considerable time with the Sienna XLE 7-passenger AWD, this review delves into the aspects that make it a standout vehicle, while also addressing some minor drawbacks.
The Pros: Fuel Economy, Space, and Comfort Shine
One of the most significant advantages of the Toyota Sienna is its exceptional gas mileage. In a market where fuel costs are a major concern, the Sienna’s hybrid powertrain delivers impressive fuel economy, surpassing virtually all other vehicles in its class that offer comparable passenger and cargo space. This fuel efficiency doesn’t come at the expense of usability. The Sienna boasts a remarkably spacious interior, comfortably accommodating passengers and cargo alike. The seats are designed for comfort, offering a high degree of adjustability to suit various body types. Moreover, safety is a key highlight, with Toyota’s commitment to safety features providing peace of mind for families on the go.
Addressing the Cons: Minor Quirks in an Otherwise Excellent Package
While the Sienna excels in many areas, there are a few points to consider. Access to the third row can be a bit challenging, particularly for adults. The infotainment system, while functional, has been noted as somewhat quirky and not the most intuitive in the market. Additionally, the hands-free door openers can be unreliable at times. However, these minor drawbacks are overshadowed by the Sienna’s overall strengths.
Interior Comfort and Practicality: Where the Sienna Truly Excels
Stepping inside the Sienna XLE reveals a thoughtfully designed interior focused on passenger comfort and practicality. The “softex” seats, while not genuine leather, offer a pleasant alternative with their soft texture and ease of cleaning. They also avoid the cracking issues often associated with leather seats over time. The seats are highly adjustable, ensuring that both the driver and passengers can find their ideal seating position for long journeys. Heated seats add an extra layer of comfort in colder climates, although they are noted to warm up a bit slowly.
Storage is another area where the Sienna shines. Numerous cupholders are available throughout the cabin, although they are on the smaller side and may not accommodate oversized cups. Ample storage compartments are strategically placed, including a useful shelf on the front dashboard, perfect for storing phones, sunglasses, and other everyday essentials.
The Sienna’s design prioritizes practicality and utility above all else. The interior space is exceptionally well-utilized and adaptable to various needs. While it may not offer the completely flat-folding “stow and go” seats of some competitors, the third-row seats do fold down to expand cargo space significantly. The second-row seats feature a long sliding track, providing exceptional flexibility. These seats can be moved far back to create limousine-like legroom or moved forward to maximize cargo space in the rear, or positioned anywhere in between to balance passenger and cargo needs. The second row offers “living room” levels of legroom when fully extended, making it comfortable even for taller adults on long trips.
Unmatched Fuel Efficiency and AWD Confidence
The Toyota Sienna truly sets itself apart with its fuel economy. It’s unparalleled in the minivan segment, offering significantly better gas mileage than most other vehicles, especially those capable of carrying seven or eight passengers. The only close competitor in terms of fuel efficiency is the Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid. However, the Sienna offers greater convenience as it doesn’t require charging, making it a more practical choice for road trips and those who prefer not to rely on charging infrastructure.
The All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system in the Sienna XLE is another major advantage, particularly in regions with snow and ice. The AWD provides exceptional traction and stability in challenging winter conditions. Driving through snowy conditions where other vehicles struggled, the Sienna AWD system instilled confidence and sure-footedness.
Addressing Power Concerns and Towing Capabilities
Some reviewers have raised concerns about the Sienna’s power, and others have noted that the second-row seats are not removable. It’s important to put these points into perspective. The Sienna’s power is more than adequate for daily minivan duties. It’s not designed to be a performance vehicle or a heavy-duty tow vehicle. While it can handle light towing, it’s not recommended for towing large trailers or campers. For those seeking high horsepower, sports cars are a better fit. For heavy towing, full-size trucks are the appropriate choice. However, for efficiently transporting people and cargo, the Sienna’s hybrid powertrain offers a good balance of power and fuel efficiency, even outperforming older V6 Sienna models in acceleration tests.
Toyota Safety Sense: A Suite of Advanced Safety Features
Toyota Safety Sense is a standout feature of the Sienna, enhancing safety and driving convenience. The adaptive cruise control system is particularly useful in traffic, capable of automatically stopping the vehicle when the car ahead stops and resuming driving with a tap of the accelerator. The blind spot monitor is another valuable safety aid. While the backup camera is functional, it could benefit from improvements such as dynamic guidelines, 360-degree views, and higher resolution. Despite these minor shortcomings, it serves its primary purpose of enhancing safety, especially when maneuvering in reverse. While the current Toyota Safety Sense system is commendable, an upgrade to newer versions with improved features like voice recognition would be a welcome enhancement.
Final Verdict: A Solid ‘A’ for Practicality and Family Needs
Considering factors such as exceptional resale value, outstanding fuel economy, comprehensive safety features, impressive usability, and comfortable ride, the 2023 Toyota Sienna XLE earns a solid ‘A’ rating. It is a highly practical and well-rounded minivan that caters perfectly to the needs of modern families.
It is advisable to avoid the optional rear-seat infotainment system, as aftermarket alternatives often offer better value and performance. A spare tire is available as an option and is a worthwhile consideration for added peace of mind. Finally, given the high demand for the Sienna, it is recommended to find a dealership that sells at MSRP to avoid paying inflated prices.
