I’ve been at this review game long enough to remember when minivans were as ubiquitous as sport utility vehicles are today.
And when I had young children – with friends – that made the confines of this roomy three-row vehicle, with two sliding side doors, a friend and valuable resource. Minivans are still allies of families to this day.
Enter the 2023 Toyota Sienna XLE AWD Woodland Edition to refresh my memory on just how good the good ol’ days were. Only now they’re even better.
My tester combined the sport-infused characteristics of an XLE trim with the addition of Woodland features that include increased ground clearance, all-wheel drive, and other outdoorsy upgrades including a tow hitch. Believe it or not, this model marks the 25th anniversary of the model’s debut in 1997.
Powered by a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine hybrid engine that delivers a 245 combined net horsepower, mated to an electronic continuously variable automatic transmission, Toyota manages to find a sweet spot between power and fuel economy. Sienna is rated at 36 miles per gallon fuel economy down the highway.
The Sienna delivers a confident, agile driving experience with exemplary ride comfort, thanks in large part to the TNGA-K Platform combined with a trailing-arm multi-link rear suspension. And parking was a breeze, with sensors primed to assist if needed.
Exterior highlights include a “Cement” gray coat of enamel amped up with 18-inch, split five-spoke wheels, bolder looking front and rear bumpers, black-painted caps, roof rails with cross bars, hands-free dual power sliding side doors, and a power lift gate.
Depending on configuration, Sienna can seats either seven or eight adults. Ample leg and shoulder room are provided for all, with creature comforts designed to spoil.
The 2023 Sienna offers a smorgasbord of connectivity and entertainment features. Highlights include a premium audio system with 12 JBL speakers including a subwoofer and amplifier, Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa compatibility, seven USB media ports, hands-free phone capability and music streaming via Bluetooth wireless technology.
Other goodies include a nine-inch touchscreen with navigation, two 120V AC outlets, four-zone climate control, front and second-row captain’s chairs, and a rear seat entertainment system with remote and two wireless headphones.
Both second and third row seats can be removed when trips to warehouse stores are required. Sienna can now easily transport 4×8-foot sheets of plywood along with almost anything else the mind can conjure.
At the heart of any true family-oriented vehicle is safety. Toyota does not disappoint, with state-of-the-art technologies designed for bring peace of mind to parents.
All 2023 Sienna models come standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2, a comprehensive active safety system that includes: pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control, automatic high beams, lane tracing assist, and road sign assist.
Additional safety features included a rear-view camera with 180-degree view, driver’s knee airbag and Toyota Safety Connect. On the luxury and user tech side, the smart key system with push-button start added are standard.
Base Price: $49,110
Price As Driven: $49,485
Destination charge is included in base price. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturer. List price may vary at local dealerships.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
