Used 2018 Toyota Sienna

With a limited number of minivans available in the marketplace, the 2018 Toyota Sienna qualifies as one of the better choices. Over the years, Toyota’s family van has grown in size, power and price, meaning when it comes to hauling the kids and all their stuff, the Sienna is still far superior to any SUV or wagon. With seating for up to eight passengers, the Sienna offers a versatile interior as attractive as it is functional. Options galore spread over five trims cater to just about every budget and personal taste, and while the Sienna’s styling remains more conservative than the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey, it has one trick up its sleeve more important than looks: the option of all-wheel drive.

With its powerful 296-horsepower V6 engine, the Toyota Sienna has always delivered impressive acceleration that borders on sporty, although we don’t envision many Sienna drivers challenging other cars to a drag race. The Sienna’s power is better used for passing and merging, and tackling steep grades with a full complement onboard. On the highway, the Sienna is a serene machine, cruising effortlessly at 75 mph with barely a hint of road or wind noise infiltrating the cabin. Those looking for a bit more feedback from their minivan’s driving experience should look to the SE trim. It features 19-inch wheels and a sport-tuned suspension for improved cornering. The trade-off for the SE’s better drivability, however, is a firmer ride and a bit more tire noise. Those living in snowy climes will definitely want the optional all-wheel drive, although models so equipped do surrender a few mpg vs. the front-drive vans.

The 2018 Sienna minivan has three rows of seats and can accommodate seven or eight passengers. Seven-passenger models have a pair of 2nd-row captain’s chairs, while 8-passenger models have a bench that seats three. You can opt for a 7- or 8-passenger arrangement in every Sienna except the SE, which is 8-passenger-only. If you choose 2nd-row captain’s seats in the XLE or Limited, your passengers get lounge seats with adjustable ottomans and armrests. Toyota’s minivan features four LATCH points for child-safety seats, plenty of nooks and crannies up front for electronics and bags, and ample storage in back behind the third row.

Compared to the Honda Odyssey with its "lightning-bolt" side-window treatment or the Kia Sedona and new Chrysler Pacifica with their progressive stances, the Toyota Sienna appears more conservative to our eyes, although this year’s revised front end does add a bit more flair. Like all matters of taste, this isn’t a bad thing, and whether the Sienna looks the best among its peers or is lost in the crowd will be subject to your eyes. Sienna SE models strive to put the "swagger" in this Toyota’s wagon with big 19-inch alloy wheels, front and rear underbody spoilers and smoked headlights.

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE
Why other minivans don’t offer the option of all-wheel drive is a mystery, but one that works in the Sienna’s favor. Although not inexpensive, for anyone living in the northern portion of the country, this option is worth its weight in gold.

MOBILITY SOLUTIONS
Passengers in need of mobility assistance will find the 2018 Sienna’s available equipment to be a lifesaver. Among the more notable features are an aftermarket wheelchair ramp and the Auto Access Seat, a factory-installed power-operated chair providing easier access to the second row.

Toyota’s Sienna minivan for 2018 spans five trims: L, LE, SE, XLE and Limited. A base L model comes with the Toyota Safety Sense system, tri-zone climate control, fabric seats, rearview camera, automatic headlights and the Entune Audio system with 6.1-inch touch screen, AM/FM/CD player with USB, and iPod and Bluetooth connectivity with Siri Eyes Free for Apple devices. That model is only available with seating for seven; all others can accommodate seven or eight. The LE gets easy-clean fabric, power-operated sliding doors, upgraded infotainment system and power-adjustable driver’s seat. All 2018 Siennas come with Toyota Care, which covers two years/25,000 miles of complimentary maintenance.

Keep climbing trims and you’ll get extra conveniences such as a power liftgate (optional on LE models), Leatherette or genuine leather seats, push-button start, moonroof, navigation system and Driver Easy Speak, which broadcasts the driver’s voice to the rear speakers — no more needing to turn around and yell at the kids! Active safety features include blind-spot monitoring, while the Limited models get a JBL audio system with a 10-inch subwoofer. A rear-seat entertainment system with Blu-ray DVD player and ultra-wide 16.4-inch screen with HDMI inputs, Android streaming capabilities and twin power outlets is available to further keep the kiddos occupied.

The 2018 Toyota Sienna is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 with power ratings of 296 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque while running on regular unleaded gasoline. Power is routed through an 8-speed automatic transmission. This combo helps push fuel-economy figures close to best-in-class, although both the Honda Odyssey and Chrysler Pacific Hybrid do better. As with its competitors, the Sienna comes standard with front-wheel drive (FWD), while unlike the rest it’s available with all-wheel drive (AWD) across every trim except the base L and sportier SE, a boon for drivers living in cold-weather states. With either layout, the Toyota Sienna is rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds.

3.5-liter V6
296 horsepower @ 6,600 rpm
263 lb-ft of torque @ 4,700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/27 mpg (FWD), 18/24 mpg (AWD)