What? You don’t recognize the Toyota 'Swagger Wagon' Sienna? That’s fair, considering it’s not particularly wagon-like, apart from the fact that it can feasibly haul a family and a hearty amount of supplies, nor does it appear to have a perceivable amount of swagger to justify the nickname. No, it’s just Toyota’s long-running minivan, now with a handful of updates to make it slightly better than last year’s version.
Interior
One thing you can say about the Sienna is that it’s a capacity king. With three configurable rows of seating and 949 liters of storage space, it's equipped to haul just about everything you’re likely to throw into it. Tucking every seat away makes room for 2,860 liters of room. That’s easily a decent-sized couch or several flat packs.
Apart from the ample room, the seating is otherwise fine, particularly in the optional second row captain’s chairs and the pop-up footrests in the top-tier trims, if you want to feel fancy.
OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:
The Zeekr 007 GT is an excellent-looking wagon that could make up to 637hp
Was the Volkswagen Golf GTI the first hot hatch? Let’s find out
Engine performance
Since 2021, the Sienna has been hybrid-only, nixing the V6 option available on the previous generation and replacing the 2.7-liter four-cylinder with the electrified 2.5-liter. This is supplemented with two integrated electric motors upping the total output to 245hp and 239Nm of torque.
FWD is standard but every trim has an AWD option which adds a motor to distribute up to 80 percent of the power to the rear in situations that call for additional traction. FWD models score an estimated 15.3km/L while the AWD models get 14.9km/L.
There isn’t much to complain about as the 2.5-liter engine and assorted electric motors dutifully pull the Sienna along just fine around town and on highways.
Ride and handling
As much as we would love to see Toyota deliver us a barnstorming GR Sienna, this is far from the current case. The independent suspension and torque split helps mitigate understeer, but it’s for enhanced control, not for a good time.
Toyota will tell you the XSE grade has a “sport tuned” suspension with different spring rates and damping along with non-standard stabilizer bars. We’ll believe Toyota did those things, though we’re less inclined to say the XSE is more fun to drive than the other versions.
The multilink suspension does a decent job of mitigating the rolls, bumps, and bounces that would make passengers of the family hauler nauseous over time. To that end, it functions as a worry-free transport of families as well as a versatile ride share vehicle.
There is little inherent excitement but we reckon there are worse places to idle away a few road hours. Though it’s fairly drab to drive, the ride is at least unobtrusive regardless of where you’re sitting.
Extra features
All new Siennas have also been upgraded with the latest version of Toyota’s multimedia setup, which thankfully includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Other changes include USB-C chargers making their appearance, and new touchscreens for various trims. Where the Toyota might have the competition beat is the availability of AWD along with the hybrid system.
The dashboard is adorned with either an eight-inch touchscreen or 12.3-inch interface for any trim above the base. There's Amazon Alexa integration, along with satellite radio and Wifi hotspot functions so long as you’re signed up for the necessary subscriptions.
Meanwhile, in the rear, there’s an option for an 11.6-inch rear seat infotainment system so second row occupants can entertain themselves without bugging the driver. While we’re back here, we should elaborate on the advanced rear seat reminder system that Toyota’s awfully proud of. The biggest change Toyota can tout is the radar-based rear seat reminder is standard equipment. That plus the higher trims can now be equipped with a mini-fridge and vacuum.
As a vehicle made primarily for families, Toyota has provided plenty of accident avoidance and protections baked in as standard. Features range from adaptive cruise control to lane keep assist, and as far as automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection and rear cross traffic alerts. There is a 360-degree camera and sensors for easier parking spot maneuverability, though these are optional extras.
In the unfortunate event of a collision, there are ten airbags throughout the cabin to hopefully mitigate any harm to passengers.
Verdict
“Hits its marks but doesn’t do much else besides”
Toyota’s Sienna minivan upholds the conventional perception of its segment, both good and the bad. ‘Bad’ only in that it plays it safe, sticking to nailing the fundamentals asked from such a vehicle - successfully, we’ll add - but not doing much in terms of excelling in any particular way.
To that end, Toyota’s on track with maintaining what makes the Sienna worth retaining in its lineup: providing cargo space and family-friendly utility while keeping it up to date in terms of tech amenities and safety features, all available for a fair price.
For the asking price of $50,425 (approx. P2.94-M before taxes), you’re getting a minivan that will likely last beyond the childhoods of any kids being raised in it well into their formative years. The standard safety and convenience tech is a plus, and 14.9km/L isn’t bad, especially if you do have it on the road putting in the miles year after year.
You can also say the Sienna’s got the competition beat in terms of exterior styling, though this segment’s very much a pageant focused on talent far more than outward appearance. Whatever you think of the looks, don’t let them fool you into thinking it’s at all secretly sporty or engaging. The driver’s seat is not the best seat in this house by far.
All told, the Sienna meets its standards but doesn’t do much else to laud it as a recommendation. Whatever ‘swagger’ this minivan has is wholly dependent on the owner’s desire to airbrush a mural on the side in tribute of their favorite heavy metal band. Now *that* we’d pay money for, Toyota.
Specs: 2025 Toyota Sienna Woodland Edition AWD
Price: $50,425 (approx. P2,940,000-M before taxes)
Engine: 2.5-liter hybrid
Power: 245hp (total system output)
Torque: 239Nm
Transmission: e-CVT
Layout: AWD
Seating: 7
Rating: 6/10
NOTE: This story first appeared on TopGear.com. Minor edits have been made.
