2021 Sienna
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 4,513
Likes: 345
From: In your head
The driver only review was interesting, take it as you may, however the comments section seem to indicate the press unit was a pre-production model.
Interesting take on the Sienna From AA, the minivan is in line with its competitors, but the fuel economy is other worldly, 60-70% better then anything out there....homerun
Interesting take on the Sienna From AA, the minivan is in line with its competitors, but the fuel economy is other worldly, 60-70% better then anything out there....homerun
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,480
Likes: 3,995
From: Maryland
That assumes that a buyer is concerned about fuel economy vs other factors. I couldn't care less about fuel economy, and the tradeoffs of this small powerplant in such a big family vehicle I'm going to drive heavily loaded is not worth it to me at all.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 13,243
Likes: 1,875
From: WA
I'm warming up to it.
I did read that the power rating is at the wheels, not at the crank, so the difference between the hybrid version and the outgoing V6 is smaller than it may seem, though the hybrid likely has more torque. I would need to drive one to be sure, though I suspect the bigger issue is the sounds and coarseness of the 4 cylinder. But I think a lot of people will be willing to trade 30-40 horsepower for that kind of fuel mileage. Motor Trend got 40 mpg in their tester. That's astonishing.
I do really like the exterior design and the interior looks good to me too. If I were in the market, it would be between this and the new Sedona.
I did read that the power rating is at the wheels, not at the crank, so the difference between the hybrid version and the outgoing V6 is smaller than it may seem, though the hybrid likely has more torque. I would need to drive one to be sure, though I suspect the bigger issue is the sounds and coarseness of the 4 cylinder. But I think a lot of people will be willing to trade 30-40 horsepower for that kind of fuel mileage. Motor Trend got 40 mpg in their tester. That's astonishing.
I do really like the exterior design and the interior looks good to me too. If I were in the market, it would be between this and the new Sedona.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,218
Likes: 300
From: NA
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,328
Likes: 236
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,480
Likes: 3,995
From: Maryland
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,882
Likes: 284
From: NY
What's a Trax? Is it one of the awesome smaller fat Transformers that dismantled Devastator in the movie when not even the Dinobots could make a scratch on it in the cartoons?
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,480
Likes: 3,995
From: Maryland
So at Epcot after you ride Test Track there is a Chevrolet car showroom that my son LOVES (he's 5), we spend an hour sitting in all the cars. If you ever told me I would get tired of sitting in cars I would have said you were nuts, but here we are lol. He LOVED this teal Chevy Trax. Every time we would ride the ride he would have to sit in this Trax for like 45 minutes. He says thats what he wants when he grows up, and I recorded him telling me when he gets a drivers license he wants a 2020 Chevy Trax. So, 11 years from now I will buy him a 2020 Chevy Trax LOL. If he complains, I have the video!
CL Community Team
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,343
Likes: 601
From: IL
This is definitely true. My parents are thinking about replacing both of their cars (Hyundai Genesis, Mazda 3) with a CUV, and anytime I make a suggestion, their top questions are "can tall adults fit in the back seat?" and "how's the fuel economy?" I may just go off-script and recommend a Limited or Platinum Sienna with the 2nd row that slides "wayback". If a 6'1" person in the 2nd row can put up the ottoman without kicking the seatback of a 6'1" driver and it gets 36mpg, that should probably be good enough. 
You never know, it might stick. My son has been telling me for years that he wants my 2011 335d when he's able to drive. Now that it's less than 3 years off, he's only getting more excited. It will be 13 years old at that point.
He LOVED this teal Chevy Trax. Every time we would ride the ride he would have to sit in this Trax for like 45 minutes. He says thats what he wants when he grows up, and I recorded him telling me when he gets a drivers license he wants a 2020 Chevy Trax. So, 11 years from now I will buy him a 2020 Chevy Trax LOL. If he complains, I have the video!
Last edited by geko29; Oct 28, 2020 at 09:26 AM.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 677
Likes: 1
From: US
I like the interior and the space but after my experience with Nissan Maxima a few years ago, I won't touch another CVT equipped vehicle again.
Based on my recent experience, I do feel that there some better CVTs out there now (Honda units, Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid etc.) but by and large, I largely avoid them like the plague. Totally kills the driving experience for me.
Based on my recent experience, I do feel that there some better CVTs out there now (Honda units, Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid etc.) but by and large, I largely avoid them like the plague. Totally kills the driving experience for me.
Lead Lap
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,892
Likes: 14
From: Virginia
I'm warming up to it.
I did read that the power rating is at the wheels, not at the crank, so the difference between the hybrid version and the outgoing V6 is smaller than it may seem, though the hybrid likely has more torque. I would need to drive one to be sure, though I suspect the bigger issue is the sounds and coarseness of the 4 cylinder. But I think a lot of people will be willing to trade 30-40 horsepower for that kind of fuel mileage. Motor Trend got 40 mpg in their tester. That's astonishing.
I do really like the exterior design and the interior looks good to me too. If I were in the market, it would be between this and the new Sedona.
I did read that the power rating is at the wheels, not at the crank, so the difference between the hybrid version and the outgoing V6 is smaller than it may seem, though the hybrid likely has more torque. I would need to drive one to be sure, though I suspect the bigger issue is the sounds and coarseness of the 4 cylinder. But I think a lot of people will be willing to trade 30-40 horsepower for that kind of fuel mileage. Motor Trend got 40 mpg in their tester. That's astonishing.
I do really like the exterior design and the interior looks good to me too. If I were in the market, it would be between this and the new Sedona.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 13,243
Likes: 1,875
From: WA
I highly doubt Toyota is using a power rating at the wheels, and then forgoing the opportunity to use a higher crank type power rating for published numbers. Sienna dropped about a second to 60 MPH. and it was already a bit on the slower end vs others. Load it up and that's where things may get even worse. But I get it, MPG is the greater factor for the majority of van buyers.
The 2021 Sienna will sport Toyota’s 2.5-liter “Dynamic Force” four along with a 1.9kWh battery. The combination provides 245 net hp. That’s down from last year’s V6, but Toyota says it’s because the old output was measured at the crankshaft and this one is measured at the wheels, the contrast isn’t as stark as you expect. And, as we saw in our preview drive, the Sienna feels extra quick off the line and just fine for high-speed expressway cruising.
CL Community Team
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,343
Likes: 601
From: IL
I like the interior and the space but after my experience with Nissan Maxima a few years ago, I won't touch another CVT equipped vehicle again.
Based on my recent experience, I do feel that there some better CVTs out there now (Honda units, Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid etc.) but by and large, I largely avoid them like the plague. Totally kills the driving experience for me.
Based on my recent experience, I do feel that there some better CVTs out there now (Honda units, Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid etc.) but by and large, I largely avoid them like the plague. Totally kills the driving experience for me.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,480
Likes: 3,995
From: Maryland