2021 Toyota Sienna review highlights: 

• 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid ($34,460 – $49,900)
• The 2021 Family Green Car of the Year
• Pros: Excellent hybrid fuel economy, optional all-wheel drive, spacious interior 
• Cons: Body roll around curves, no cheaper non-hybrid option

Welcome to the minivan that can. The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid offers all-wheel drive, allowing it to tackle slippery surfaces such as ice, snow, or gravel. It may not be a camper van, but it easily could be. I took it to the top of a mountain without any fuss. 

Plus, the Toyota Sienna is also a fresh family option with all-new styling. The exterior features a more attractive look, and the interior incorporates a practical and intuitive layout for the entire family to enjoy. 

While many fans may miss the V6 engine that was dropped, they can take advantage of the new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that’s paired with two electric motors. How this van performs may shock you. 

Which Toyota Sienna trim is best? 

The 2021 Toyota Sienna is available in five different trim levels: 

• LE – $34,460 
• XLE – $39,750 
• XSE – $42,760
• Limited – $46,700
• Platinum – $49,900

I reviewed the Toyota Sienna XSE, and it serves as a well-rounded practical option. It provides a sense of luxury despite having two trim levels above it. The XSE comes with 20-inch wheels, plus the front and rear bumpers have a more prominent and confident look. 

The interior comes with sport front seats, second-row captain’s chairs, and in-dash navigation. While front-wheel drive is standard, you can add all-wheel drive for $760. Typically it costs around $1,500 to $2,000 to add AWD to SUVs, so it’s a bargain. 

If you upgrade to the Limited or Platinum trims, the second-row seats can recline and include pop-up ottomans. These trims can also be equipped with an onboard vacuum cleaner which sounds pretty ideal for cleaning out crumbs, dirt, and dog hair. 

Does the 2021 Toyota Sienna have a nice interior? 

Yes, the Toyota Sienna Hybrid has an excellent interior. It’s full of high-quality materials such as faux-leather seats and wood grain inserts. The Limited and Platinum trims include soft-covered surfaces that are stitched with leather-like materials. 

The Sienna features a well-executed layout. Everything you need is easily in reach, and the captain’s chairs can be adjusted by 25 inches to help provide the perfect amount of legroom and cargo space. 

There is tons of visibility thanks to the large windows and windshield. It sits at a convenient height for entering and exiting the vehicle. Plus, it’s easy to load cargo thanks to the massive rear hatch opening. 

However, have a pair of sunglasses on hand. The windshield is the perfect shape for catching midday glare from the sun. 

Is the Toyota Sienna comfortable? 

Yes, the 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid is incredibly comfortable for long drives. The large front seats are well padded and provide tons of support. You can adjust the seats to fit a variety of shapes and sizes to find the perfect driving position. 

The captain’s chairs have a little less padding, but they’re still large and comfortable. They lean back pretty far for napping. The third row is spacious enough for three kids or two adults to fit without any trouble. The third row can also recline. 

The Toyota Sienna Hybrid provides a smooth ride over various surfaces. It feels like you’re gliding along. Large impacts are easily absorbed. The Sienna was impressively smooth over gravel too, but it does get a little loud over uneven terrain. 

Noise is kept at bay, but wind and road noise enter the cabin at higher speeds. It’s easy to carry a conversation with passengers in the second row, but those in the very back might have trouble hearing you. The optional in-car voice projection helps solve this issue. 

Does the Toyota Sienna have good tech? 

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid features modern tech, including a standard 9.0-inch touchscreen that emerges from the dashboard above the climate controls. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa connectivity come standard. You can add the wireless phone charger. 

There are seven USB ports throughout the cabin, a 120-Volt plug on the back of the center console, and a 1500W-capable power outlet in the rear. You can access the available built-in Wi-Fi hotspot too. 

You can upgrade to the 12-speaker JBL stereo system for premium audio. Also, the built-in dash navigation is very impressive. When I was low on fuel, it automatically directed me to the closest gas station.  

The optional rear-seat entertainment system provides an 11.6-inch display in the rear with two pairs of wireless headphones and a remote. Connecting the system was a little tricky at first, but there is a button to the left of the steering wheel that provides power to the back. 

Plus, the Sienna is convenient with power sliding doors and a power liftgate. You can open and close every opening with the keyfob or with the dashboard buttons. The available 360-degree overhead camera makes it easy to maneuver in tight areas, and the digital rearview mirror helps you see past the cargo out the back. 

How does the Toyota Sienna drive? 

The 2021 Toyota Sienna has an exclusive hybrid powertrain. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is paired with two electric motors. Opting for AWD adds a third electric motor that powers the rear wheels. The Sienna provides 245 hp and 288 lb-ft of torque. 

There is a slight drop in power compared to the V6 models. However, the Sienna can still accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.7 seconds. The hybrid power feels instant, although, rivals like the Honda Odyssey and Chrysler Pacifica are a little faster. 

The Sienna features confident braking and responsive steering. It feels pretty sporty, but it does exhibit some body roll around tight curves. The Sienna is pretty nimble however, the turning radius could be improved. When properly equipped, the Sienna can tow up to 3,500 lbs and carry a payload of 1,335 lbs. 

With the Sienna Hybrid, you get an EPA-estimated 36 mpg in the city and up to 36 mpg on the highway. After spending a week with this van, the numbers are impressive and accurate. 

How much space does the Toyota Sienna have? 

The 2021 Toyota Sienna provides 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 101 cubes total. If you fold down the third row, you can access 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row. Also, a deep well for cargo storage is behind the third row and includes hooks on the seatbacks. 

You can manually fold the third-row seats down. Having power-folding seats would be a nice perk. The second-row captain’s chairs can’t be removed, but they can slide 25 inches forward and back. 

There is plenty of storage for personal items. The tall center console spans the distance from the dashboard to the center armrest, providing a storage tray. It includes a cubby underneath that’s perfect for handbags. 

Your family will have access to 16 cupholders and large, multi-level door pockets. The center armrest includes a spacious bin with plenty of room for wireless headphones and other items. 

Is the 2021 Toyota Sienna safe? 

Yes, the 2021 Toyota Sienna is very safe. It has a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA). One of its highlights includes a four out of five-star rating for the rollover test. The Sienna only has a 12.70 percent risk of tipping. 

The Sienna is also an Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ award winner. It scored a ‘Good’ rating for all of its tests, meaning it protected crash test dummies well. 

Plus, the Sienna has the highest score possible when it comes to child seats. The tethers are easy to find and attach. There isn’t any hardware that could be confused with the anchors, and it’s easy to maneuver around them. 

Standard safety features include: 

• Automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection 
• Lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
• Adaptive cruise control 
• Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert 
• Rear-seat reminder 

How reliable is the Toyota Sienna? 

According to Consumer Reports, the 2021 Toyota Sienna has a predicted reliability rating of three out of five. This is an average ranking, and it’s based on issues that owners reported on previous model years. 

The major issues include suspension, engine, and transmission problems with the 2019 model. Fewer issues were reported on the 2020 model. This could indicate that these problems were solved. Also, the 2021 Sienna has a new engine. 

On a positive note, the 2021 Sienna doesn’t have any recalls. Previous owners have reported that the Sienna will make it to 200,000 miles with proper care and maintenance. Also, there are reports of Sienna models making it past 300,000 miles. 

Warranties and complimentary maintenance: 

• The limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles 
• The powertrain warranty is good for five years or 60,000 miles 
• The hybrid-component warranty covers eight years or 100,000 miles 
• Complimentary maintenance is provided for two years or 25,000 miles 

MotorBiscuit gives the 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid an expert rating of 8.1/10 

The Toyota Sienna is changing the minivan game again with a hybrid powertrain and AWD. But the standard hybrid powertrain limits cheaper options. On a positive note, it’s very efficient with a peppy acceleration. 

While the Sienna provides a smooth ride with sporty handling, the body roll reminds you of the van’s size and heft. It could be a little more agile, but the overhead camera and parking sensors make it easy to maneuver. 

The Sienna is comfortable and spacious. But rivals allow you to remove the second row for enhanced cargo space. Also, the tech works quickly and efficiently. We hope to review the 2022 Toyota Sienna Woodland Edition next. It includes a suspension lift to be more capable for off-road adventures.