2017 Toyota Sienna Road Test and Review

A family road trip is the absolute best way to evaluate a family-oriented vehicle like the 2017 Toyota Sienna. So that’s exactly what we did. My family and I packed up the Toyota Sienna minivan, piled in and drove it on a 900-mile road trip across the sweltering deserts of the southwest.

Now in its third-generation, the 2017 Toyota Sienna is a large 8-passenger minivan offering high levels of comfort, uncompromised utility and a powerful V6 engine. The Toyota Sienna is also the only minivan on the market with available all-wheel drive.

Built in Princeton, Indiana, the family-friendly 2017 Toyota Sienna competes very successfully against many high-quality minivans including the Honda Odyssey, Kia Sedona, Chrysler Pacifica, Nissan Quest and the Mercedes Metris.

Let's take a closer look at the popular 2017 Toyota Sienna.

Toyota offers the Sienna in five trim levels: L; LE; the sporty SE; XLE; and the luxurious Limited. Base prices start at $30,710, including $960 destination charge, for the front-wheel drive Sienna L and top out at $43,760 for a front-wheel-drive Limited. All-wheel drive is available on the Sienna LE, XLE and Limited models and it adds about $2,200 to the van’s price.

Standard features on the L include a three-zone climate control system, a backup camera, 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and two second-row captain’s chairs, which make third-row access much easier but limit seating to seven. Stepping up to the LE gets you a power driver’s seat and very desirable power-sliding doors. The sporty SE model seats eight and includes 19-inch wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, and a leather-trimmed steering wheel. Our front-wheel-drive Sienna Limited Premium test vehicle was a 7-passenger model with a sticker price of $47,110.

There isn’t a hybrid model. All Siennas come with a powerful 296 hp 3.5-liter V6 and a smooth shifting 8-speed automatic transmission. Both are an upgrade over last year’s model which had 266 hp and antiquated 6-speed transmission.

The interior of the 2017 Toyota Sienna is massive, offering more space than some of its competitors. The captain’s chairs recline, have adjustable armrests and can slide forward or back to create massive amounts of legroom in the both the second or third rows. The third row can accommodate adults, but headroom is tight if you’re over six feet tall.

Second- and third-row passengers appreciated our test vehicle’s numerous rear air-conditioning vents, window shades, and abundant cup-holders. The second row gets two, while there are four for the third-row riders.

Even in the sweltering Arizona summer sun, with temperatures cresting 110 degrees, the Sienna’s air conditioning proved reliable, keeping us cool and comfortable during a six-hour drive.

Form follows function in the Toyota Sienna’s interior. The design isn’t as sexy as some others in the class, but the Toyota’s interior is well-arranged, well-assembled, and exceptionally comfortable, even after six-hours behind the wheel.

Outward visibility is outstanding. The driver’s seat is well shaped and its height-adjustable for shorter drivers, who will also appreciate the standard tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel. Our test vehicle featured heated front seats and a heated leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel.

Although there’s a bit too much hard plastic, the touch points are soft and the glossy wood trim on the dash, door panels, console, and shifter mix well with the interior’s wealth of chrome trim. Our test vehicle’s power-sliding rear doors and the power liftgate are must haves.

Control placement is excellent. All the knobs and switches are easy to reach, and the touchscreen that controls the infotainment and navigation system is simple to use. The Sienna’s blue gauges are attractive, if a little busy, and the foot-operated parking brake seems a bit old fashioned in a van costing nearly $50,000.

Behind its third row, the 2017 Toyota Sienna offers 39.9 cubic feet of cargo space. That more than you get in most of its competition and more than you’ll find in three-row SUVs.

The Toyota’s third row is split 60/40 and easily folds flat, expanding that space to 87.1 cubic feet. Our test vehicle’s power folding third row, which drops or raises the seats with the push of a button, made this operation a breeze.

Eliminating the second-row seats opens up a massive 150 cubic feet of space. Removing the seats is a bit involved, and they need to be stored. Chrysler’s Stow 'n Go option in the Pacifica, which allows the second-row seats to fold into the floor, is a smarter design.

Interior storage is generous. The center console bin is massive, the door pockets are large, there are two big glove boxes, and there’s small bin to the left of the steering wheel with a built-in change holder for those in toll country. Also, there are two covered storage bins in the third row.

Toyota’s Entune infotainment system is simple to operate and offers quick responses to your inputs. Unfortunately, it’s not compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, nor does it offer onboard WiFi, but its App Suite does include popular brands like Pandora, and there’s standard Bluetooth audio.

Although the Toyota’s 7-inch touch-screen is bit small at this price point, it’s large enough, and the van’s navigation system proved to be very useful finding us several restaurants, gas stations and an ATM during our road trip. Our test vehicle was also equipped with a Dual-View Blu-Ray rear seat entertainment system with a massive screen that deploys from the headliner and wireless headphones.

You’ll be disappointed if you want the Sienna to do the driving for you. Toyota doesn’t offer autonomous technology on the Sienna. If you need your family hauler to go, stop, and steer on its own, shop three-row SUVs like the Volvo XC90 and the all-electric Tesla Model X.

Advanced technology is also found in the Sienna’s many active safety systems, although most are extra-cost options.

Our top-of-the-line Limited Premium test vehicle did come standard with front and rear parking sensors, a backup camera as well as Blind Spot Monitoring and Cross Traffic Alert, which warns if another vehicle approaches from the side as you back out of a parking space or your driveway. Unfortunately, the blind-spot system alerts you with a tiny light in each side mirror and is easy to miss. Other systems offer larger indicators and audible chimes.

Our test vehicle was not equipped with the optional $1,800 Limited Advanced Technology Package, which adds Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, and a Pre-Collision System that warns you if a vehicle or object is dangerously blocking your path. Lane Keep Assist, which will help steer the car back into its lane, is not offered.

The Sienna’s fuel economy is typical for this class. The Sienna is rated 19 mpg city and 27 mpg on the highway. All-wheel-drive models are thirstier. They’re rated 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. On our road trip from Los Angeles to Phoenix and back, through the 110-degree temperatures of the desert, I averaged 22.3 mpg.

If you’re looking for ultimate fuel economy in your minivan check out the Chrysler Pacifica plug-in Hybrid model, which is the only electrified minivan available. It’s rated 84 mpge on the highway, has a total range of 566 miles and can be driven about 33 miles on electricity alone. Prices start about $43,000.

In crash testing, the Sienna received a 5-star crash-test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Although it performed well when tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety it received a lower Acceptable rating in the small overlap front-impact test. Overall, the Honda Odyssey and Chrysler Pacifica are rated higher.

With its big V6 pumping out nearly 300 hp and it's perfectly-geared 8-speed automatic, the 2017 Toyota Sienna is quick. Merging on the highway, even with the van loaded with people and things, is no cause for stress. Floor the throttle off the line, and the Sienna will chirp its front tires and reach 60 mph in just 7.5 seconds. Still, the all-new 2018 Honda Odyssey is the muscle car of the minivan class hitting 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds.  

As fast as it is, the Sienna isn’t very sporty. The ride is plush, and the van’s driving character is relaxed and luxurious. It handles well enough, and its steering is responsive, but our Limited test vehicle is not as fun-to-drive as the Honda. Those looking for more athleticism should stick with the Sienna’s SE trim level. Its sport-tuned suspension sacrifices a touch of ride comfort for higher cornering capability.

The Sienna proved easy to maneuver around town for such a large vehicle, and it cruises for hours on the interstate with little effort. However, I was surprised by the amount of wind noise heard from around the side mirrors above 70 mph. It wasn’t oppressive, both my kids managed to fall asleep, but you will need to turn the music up to hear the nuances of Bruce’s harmonica and the Big Man’s sax.

The 2017 Toyota Sienna is a desirable choice in the extremely competitive minivan segment. Comfortable, powerful and luxurious, the family friendly Sienna has proven popular year after year because it consistently satisfies the needs and wants of America’s families.

Choose your trim level wisely. Over time you will appreciate the additional features and more extensive standard equipment of the XLE and Limited trims, and the well-equipped SE, with its athletic sport tuned suspension, is a strong value.