Best Used Minivans: 2004-2010 Toyota Sienna
When Toyota introduced the redesigned 2004 Sienna minivan, it was clear the company had benchmarked the Odyssey with the intention of beating Honda at the minivan-building game. The new Sienna was much bigger inside and offered a third-row seat that folded into a storage well in the floor, but retained its track record for reliability and safety. Plus, it offered an optional all-wheel-drive system, making it the only minivan on our list to have this feature.
Crash-test performance receives 4-star and 5-star ratings from the NHTSA. The IIHS rates frontal-impact crashworthiness as “Good” for all model years. For side-impact collisions, the van rates “Acceptable” without side-impact airbags and “Good” with them. Reliability is excellent. The only reported trouble spot pertains to the audio systems in 2006, 2007, and 2008 models.
If this edition of the Sienna offers any cause for pause, it is related to its inability to protect front-seat occupants against whiplash in a rear-impact collision. The front seats rate “Poor” in this regard. Often a car company will redesign the seats at some point during a vehicle’s generational run to rectify such situations, but not Toyota.
To expand cargo capacity to 148.9 cu.-ft., more than any other model on our list of the best used minivans, the third-row seat drops into the floor while the second-row captain’s chairs require removal. This design mirrors other minivans on this list, with the exception of the Chrysler and Dodge.
Among used minivans, the 2004-2010 Toyota Sienna is the one with the best overall track record for safety, reliability, and practicality. More than the other vehicles on this list, this version of the Sienna is the one we recommend to used minivan buyers.