Toyota Sienna
For 2020, Toyota offers only a single engine in the Sienna: a 296-horsepower 3.5L V6. The engine comes linked to an 8-speed automatic transmission and is estimated to deliver 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg highway.
While the Sienna's suspension is tuned toward comfort, the SE trim features improved springs and dampers that aims to be more like that of a car for better handling. The standard 19-inch wheels on the SE trim are a nice complement to that model's privacy glass, roof rails and smoked chrome exterior pieces.
The Sienna is the only vehicle in its class to offer optional all-wheel drive. Toyota's system utilizes a center differential to split power 50/50 between the front and rear wheels under normal driving situations, but it transfers more to the wheels that have traction during slippery conditions.
Safety is an important factor in designing any minivan and the Sienna comes with a long list of such features. Standard across the Sienna line is the Toyota Safety Sense Plus (TSS-P) array of safety technology. It includes adaptive cruise control, a frontal pre-collision system (with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking), lane departure alert and intervention and automatic high beam headlights. Electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes with brake assist are also standard, as are front seat-mounted side air bags and side curtain bags for all three rows. Driver knee air bags are included as well. All-wheel drive models are also fitted with run-flat tires that allow the Sienna to go up to 100 miles at 55 mph once the tire loses air. Blind spot monitoring is optional on the XLE.
Interior accommodations in the Sienna include three rows of seating and the capacity of either seven or eight passengers. The 8-passenger configuration--offered on SE, LE and XLE trims--includes a second-row bench seat that can slide fore and aft. The 7-passenger models substitute two captain's chairs for the bench. Second and third-row seats are removable to expand cargo space.
L, LE, XLE and Limited trims span a wide range of equipment, depending on whether the buyer wants simple and basic or luxurious. The base L does include most popular equipment such as keyless entry, power windows, locks and mirrors, cruise control, 3-zone climate control, Siri Eyes Free iPhone integration, Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa compatibility and a 4-speaker CD sound system. At the top of the range, the Limited adds a JBL premium stereo, 18-inch alloy wheels, Smart Key remote keyless system, a power moonroof, heated seats, automatic climate control system, woodgrain interior trim, a parking assist system and a Bluetooth hands-free calling interface.
Options at the top of the line include a unique dual-view entertainment system that allows rear seat passengers to watch two different programs on one display and stream from Android devices, navigation satellite radio, HID headlamps, rain-sensing wipers and adaptive cruise control.