12 Best Family Cars: 2019 Toyota Sienna

While the current version of the Toyota Sienna minivan has been with us since 2011, that hasn’t precluded it from earning a spot on our KBB list of 12 Best Family Cars. This underscores what a good vehicle this 8-seat Toyota family hauler is, and continues to be. And for 2019, the Sienna – the only minivan with available all-wheel drive – has been sweetened with Apple CarPlay and Alexa, Amazon’s digital assistant. Both new technologies, we’re happy to report, are standard features on the 2019 Toyota Sienna, not pricey options.   

Excellent features

Minivans in general are great family vehicles and the Sienna is one of the best, aided by an available all-wheel-drive system that’s a godsend in wintry conditions. The engine remains Toyota’s proven 3.5-liter V6, and it sends a healthy 296 horsepower to the wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission that’s a model of civility. Inside, second-row captain’s chairs (with adjustable ottomans) are available in place of the removable 3-seat middle bench, and there’s even a system called Driver Easy Speak that lets the driver communicate with rear passengers via the back speakers. While this system borders on the silly, it’s an effective and fun way of communicating immediately with the whole gang, especially when they’re deep into “Frozen” for the umpteenth time.

Other favorite features in the 2019 Toyota Sienna include easily cleaned seat fabric (LE model), six cupholders, five USB ports, onboard 4G LTE WiFi and a 360-degree camera system that’s helpful when backing out of your driveway. We’d also be remiss not to mention Toyota Safety Sense, the Sienna’s standard suite of safety-enhancing technologies that includes pre-collision braking with pedestrian protection, lane-departure assist and adaptive cruise control.  

Excellent value

Another area where the Sienna shines: resale value, which is a good reflection of overall vehicle quality. Impressively, the Toyota Sienna has won the minivan division of our Best Resale Value Awards five times (though the Honda Odyssey takes top honors this year). Indeed, the Toyota name is synonymous with utterly dependable transportation, and the Sienna has been reinforcing that enviable reputation for years.

Also, if you sell your Toyota Sienna, say, after the kids have grown, you’ll likely recoup more of your original purchase price than with any other minivan. And if you hang onto this Toyota minivan for even longer, expect a lower-cost ownership experience and fewer mechanical issues than with the competition, the lone exception being the Honda Odyssey.

Numerous models

The 2019 Toyota Sienna is available in L, LE, SE, XLE and Limited trims. In addition to the Toyota Safety Sense suite of technologies, the 7-seat L is equipped with tri-zone climate control and an infotainment system with a 6.1-inch touch screen. The LE adds power-sliding side doors and a power-adjustable driver’s seat, along with upgraded infotainment and easy-clean seat fabric.

Naturally, more equipment appears as you move up the Sienna roster, items such as a power liftgate, leather upholstery, a moonroof, a pushbutton starter and navigation. On the flagship Toyota Sienna Limited, there’s a JBL audio system with a 10-inch subwoofer, plus an available Blu-ray/DVD rear-seat entertainment system with HDMI inputs and two power outlets.

More 2019 Toyota Sienna

Pricing for the 2019 Toyota Sienna L, which is not available with all-wheel drive, starts at $31,115, plus a destination charge of $1,045. An all-wheel-drive Sienna SE costs about $40,000, while a top-of-the-line AWD Limited Premium is priced at $47,730. For the record: All 2019 Toyota Siennas come with two years or 25,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance.

Build and price your own 2019 Toyota Sienna to see this week’s Fair Purchase Price, 5-Year Cost to Own and more, or check out the Sienna models for sale today at dealers near you.