Let’s face it, minivans have never looked as cool as their three-row SUV counterparts, but that doesn’t mean that Toyota didn’t try its best with the all-new 2021 Sienna. With a new design inside and out and enough tech and convenience features to keep you and your family entertained and happy for at least the next decade, the Sienna might actually change your mind about that old “soccer mom” stigma. And if you can get over that stigma, you will be quite surprised at what this people hauler has to offer.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna was inspired by the bullet train

The Sienna has gone through many phases, but it’s now in its fourth-generation and is looking to win over parents of budding families with its handsome styling. The Toyota designers that had a hand in sculpting the new 2021 Sienna said that they were inspired by the front of Japan’s own Shinkansen, or bullet train. And while the van’s resemblance to the 200-mph train might only be slight, we think that they did a good job on the design regardless of where it was inspired from.

The wide front grille looks much more aerodynamic than before and the wraparound headlights give the minivan a nice “windswept” look. The designers also focused on giving it a more muscular look in order to break away from the traditional minivans from yesteryear. One looks at the sides of the new Sienna and you’ll notice the bold character lines that extend all the way to rear, giving it a much-needed departure from the normal minivan architecture. Speaking of the rear, the Sienna’s angular tail lights look vaguely Supra-like, although we might be giving it too much credit. Either way, it may look bold for some, but the new body styling might be what was needed to put some “swagger” back into this wagon.

The Toyota Sienna doesn’t drive like a bus anymore

Driving any car will elicit a certain emotion, not only due to the car’s driving dynamics but it’s interior as well. According to the chief designers of the 2021 Toyota Sienna, the general consensus among customers was that the current Sienna “drives like a bus.” For clarity, they were referring to how the interior looked and felt, so to get rid of the “disconnected” and “bus-like” feeling, the designers used a more personable and cockpit-like design. As such, they made the center console higher and brought all of the controls within easier reach.

By doing so, the new Sienna has a more interactive feel to the dashboard and even the cupholders are closer. As far as the rear seat space, the Sienna’s second-seats can slide fore and aft up to 25 inches for maximum legroom, and if your legs get tired, then an optional ottoman will offer up some much-needed support. And to top everything off, when it’s time to clean up, a new vacuum cleaner is up to the task provided that you shelled out the money for one of the top two trim levels.

The all-new Sienna has a trick under its hood

A daring, functional, bolder new design aren’t the only tricks the 2021 Sienna has up its sleeve, it has one under the hood, too. The Sienna is now solely powered by a hybrid powertrain that consists of a 2.5-liter gas engine that’s mated to a pair of electric motors to make a combined power output of 243 horsepower. It’s still available in all-wheel-drive form, for those that need it, and opting for that will net a third motor between the rear axles to power the rear wheels, according to Car and Driver.

But wait, there’s more…

Aside from the Sienna’s bold new look, fuel-efficient powertrain, and extra grip, it also comes with a host of entertainment goodies. There’s a nine-inch infotainment screen upfront with Apple Carplay and Android Auto capability, an available 12-speaker JBL premium audio system, and an optional rear-entertainment system with an 11.6-inch screen. And in case you’re worried about safety, fear not as the Sienna now comes standard with Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.0, which is the brand’s suite of driver-assist features, and a 360-degree camera and parking sensors can be included as well.

If you find yourself taken aback by the 2021 Toyota Sienna’s bold new styling and tech-savvy features, we don’t blame you. They did a great job on this iteration, although, it’s too bad it doesn’t go 200 mph like a bullet train.