Sienna SE over Highlander?
Sienna SE over Highlander?
finally decided to replace our Pilot with one of these. am I the only one here like the Sienna SE over the vanilla look of the new Highlander even though Sienna is supposedly a soccer mom minivan? especially the '15 facelifted Sienna looks really nice with that improved interior. but one thing is holding me back on the Sienna SE is suv are known to age better than minivans. i've seen the last gen Sienna on the road, and they don't look like aged very well, while the previous gen Highlander still looks pretty decent.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: CA - California
depends on your family's needs. we just bought a minivan (Ody) and i can't get over how perfect it is for 3 kids in carseats. although i prefer the highlander for dynamics and looks, it's just a no-brainer for practicality and bang for the buck. yes, go for the SE. the '15 is now properly equipped and the handling is much better.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
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finally decided to replace our Pilot with one of these. am I the only one here like the Sienna SE over the vanilla look of the new Highlander even though Sienna is supposedly a soccer mom minivan? especially the '15 facelifted Sienna looks really nice with that improved interior. but one thing is holding me back on the Sienna SE is suv are known to age better than minivans. i've seen the last gen Sienna on the road, and they don't look like aged very well, while the previous gen Highlander still looks pretty decent.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
If you are willing to consider a non-Toyota, check out the new 2015 Kia Sedona minivan. It starts out some 3-4K cheaper, but doesn't have an AWD option like the Sienna.
http://www.kia.com/us/en/home?series=sedona&year=2015
Kia produces respectable vehicles now....the days of them making junk are long gone.
http://www.kia.com/us/en/home?series=sedona&year=2015
Kia produces respectable vehicles now....the days of them making junk are long gone.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: California
I'd take the new Sienna over the highlander any day especially if it's the SE model. To me it looks better and more practical. I'd wish my wife and I got the new SE sienna instead of a used 05 sienna but she didn't like the eighth seat in which we rarely ever use it anyways.
Lexus Fanatic
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From: Maryland
The bottom line is that basically they are the same vehicle. The only reason to select the Highlander is for the SUV/Crossover look, seating position, etc. I hate minivans as much as the next guy, but its hard to beat the practicality.
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Originally Posted by SW13GS
The bottom line is that basically they are the same vehicle. The only reason to select the Highlander is for the SUV/Crossover look, seating position, etc.
I hate minivans as much as the next guy, but its hard to beat the practicality.
As I see it, the whole anti-minivan routine was something cooked up primarily by the auto press, which has never liked minivans because they usually don't fit the mold of a sporting vehicle.
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Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Nevada
Regarding the Highlander, if you value quiet ride you might want to watch this one minute video before purchasing one http://vid1381.photobucket.com/album...ps3n7os9ps.mp4 (Or else plan on adding 100-200 lbs of Dynamat to it's interior).
Last edited by gemigniani; Dec 3, 2014 at 09:53 PM.
I rocked a Sienna for a group of eight going for a wine-tasting weekend in Paso Robles.
The car had tons of space, comfortable for the 3rd row adult passengers, built tough to withstand children (and drunk adults), and plenty of amenities with upper trim models. The powertrain was able to handle maximum passenger capacity at the hillsides and freeways without issues.
Now, the Highlander may have two advantages: AWD (which you can get with the Sienna) and better ground clearance. Otherwise, the Sienna is more spacious and probably cheaper to maintain and insure.
The car had tons of space, comfortable for the 3rd row adult passengers, built tough to withstand children (and drunk adults), and plenty of amenities with upper trim models. The powertrain was able to handle maximum passenger capacity at the hillsides and freeways without issues.
Now, the Highlander may have two advantages: AWD (which you can get with the Sienna) and better ground clearance. Otherwise, the Sienna is more spacious and probably cheaper to maintain and insure.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 69,226
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From: Maryland
Regarding the Highlander, if you value quiet ride you might want to watch this one minute video before purchasing one http://vid1381.photobucket.com/album...ps3n7os9ps.mp4 (Or else plan on adding 100-200 lbs of Dynamat to it's interior).
Then why hate them? As I see it, the whole anti-minivan routine was something cooked up primarily by the auto press, which has never liked minivans because they usually don't fit the mold of a sporting vehicle.
As I see it, the whole anti-minivan routine was something cooked up primarily by the auto press, which has never liked minivans because they usually don't fit the mold of a sporting vehicle.
Last edited by SW17LS; Dec 4, 2014 at 07:19 PM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Southeastern PA
Personally, I would not bother with the SE version of the Sienna. I don't see the point in dressing up a minivan and saying it's "sporty". At the end of the day, it's a minivan. I'd rather spend my money getting a more luxurious model than a more sporty model, if I'm buying a minivan, especially since my wife would be the primary driver.
But that's just me.
But that's just me.