Topic: Test Drive: 2018 Toyota Sienna XLE AWD

[AutoTrader.ca]

Sorry kids, no more snow days.
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[SKYMTL]

Front a driver's position, the gauges, HMI, etc. look like they're pulled straight from a motor home.  Every one of the components looks like it was just parachuted onto the dashboard without thought of how a driver interacts with them. 

[Noto]

My brother loves his AWD sienna, and for good reason. He didn't like the odyssey and doesn't miss anything from it. In the winter, the better traction means a lot more to him.  He's averaging about 13L/100km this winter.

[DriverJeff]

Leave it to McAleer to make minivan pictures beautiful!

 

[tortoise]

Front a driver's position, the gauges, HMI, etc. look like they're pulled straight from a motor home.  Every one of the components looks like it was just parachuted onto the dashboard without thought of how a driver interacts with them.

Huh.  I thought that it looked pretty decent from an ergonomics perspective.  And that's something that Toyota usually nails.

[Niklasky]

The interior, the instrument cluster, the dashboard, the center console, all that doesn't scream high quality. It all looks very plasticky and cheaply built, although Toyota interiors usually age well, the perceived quality of the fit & finish seems low.

[ltruong]

I Think the dash layout is nice.  I love my Sienna AWD, beside the fuel economy I can't think of a better family vehicle or vehicle period. Hockey, Camping, inlaw in for the weekend, need lumber, tow a trailer, take a nap in the back, go buy furniture.... it does it all.

[Noto]

The interior, the instrument cluster, the dashboard, the center console, all that doesn't scream high quality. It all looks very plasticky and cheaply built, although Toyota interiors usually age well, the perceived quality of the fit & finish seems low.

...and it's hardy, to handle the damage that children will ultimately impart on the poor interior.  Piano black plastics may look nice, but they have no place in a minivan.

[dkaz]

I like this Sienna. I don't see what's wrong with the interior, the centre console is driver oriented and the controls seem simple and intuitive. All trim levels get the tri-zone automatic climate controls. My only concern would be that 8 speed automatic transmission for which there has been numerous complaints mainly with it being too conservative and trying to save fuel. Apparently turning off the default Eco mode doesn't really help things much. Pay close attention when test driving one.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

I like this Sienna. I don't see what's wrong with the interior, the centre console is driver oriented and the controls seem simple and intuitive. All trim levels get the tri-zone automatic climate controls. My only concern would be that 8 speed automatic transmission for which there has been numerous complaints mainly with it being too conservative and trying to save fuel. Apparently turning off the default Eco mode doesn't really help things much. Pay close attention when test driving one.

Yeah, all the buttons and screens all seem like they're in the right place, as far as I can see.  The plasticky interior doesn't seem out of character for me, given the van's intended mission. 

And, Sienna buyers seem to be in it for the long game anyways.  Other than the need to remove the 2nd row, this van is pretty damn good.

Seriously, when does Chrysler's patent on Stow 'n Go end?  The other van manufacturers had better jump on it as soon as it is, because it kicks ass, and trumps a big seat that you need to remove and stow somewhere when you need 8' of cargo space.

[Fobroader]

I don't see the problem with the interior either, for something that you should be able to pressure wash vomit, snot, candy and crayons out of, more plastic equals better. This is the only van I would ever consider because Toyota and awd.

[rrocket]

. My only concern would be that 8 speed automatic transmission for which there has been numerous complaints mainly with it being too conservative and trying to save fuel. Apparently turning off the default Eco mode doesn't really help things much. Pay close attention when test driving one.

This has been a Toyota Lexus thing for awhile.

And this is why I recommend a throttle controller if it annoys you.

[quadzilla]

No price in the article? Is this to stop us bitching about the price of cars?

[Ex-airbalancer]

No price in the article? Is this to stop us bitching about the price of cars?

or value , I guess no  point after all a tesla Model X is a 8, everything else second class 

[johngenx]

When we bought our Corolla, just a week or two over ten years ago now (wow!) I wasn't all that impressed with the hard plastics in the interior, but we were looking for low operating costs and overall durability.  Today, I am so impressed with those interior materials, as they basically look like new.  They might not be luxurious, but holy hell are they durable.  Those plastics on the console and places usually get all marred up, but not these.  The car looks like new with a quick interior cleaning.  Very impressive.

Back when they released the 2009 models in early 2008 they lowered the price by a quite substantial amount (close to 10%) and added a lot of safety equipment (ABS became standard, side and curtain bags, etc, etc) and kept their mechanical quality top-notch, so at the time, something had to give.  The tactile part of the interior wasn't all that great, but I am glad that despite being kinda hard plastic and mouse-furry, they sure are of high quality.  Nice for us long term owners.

[dirtyjeffer]

i don't mind the interior at all, and like others have said, it would likely hold well over the long run...several of my friends have Sienna vans (likely about 5ish years old now) and they still keep chugging along, trouble free...nothing fancy, just well built people movers...something every family can appreciate.

[revalations]

See this is the perfect minivan and AWD makes it so. Last week picking my son up from school a Mom in her brand new Pacifica became stuck in a icy rut. Six guys were pushing this thing, simply could not rock it enough to get out. The owner even had rubber traction pads as this was not the first time she'd had this van stuck.

I'd give up the fancy disappearing seats for AWD any day.

[johngenx]

I think the Sienna might be the only AWD equipped mini-van.  It really adds to the package if you live in the snow belt.  If I were buying a new or used van, the AWD Sienna would be the sole entrant on my list.

[Solstice2006]

I like this Sienna. I don't see what's wrong with the interior, the centre console is driver oriented and the controls seem simple and intuitive. All trim levels get the tri-zone automatic climate controls. My only concern would be that 8 speed automatic transmission for which there has been numerous complaints mainly with it being too conservative and trying to save fuel. Apparently turning off the default Eco mode doesn't really help things much. Pay close attention when test driving one.

Yeah, all the buttons and screens all seem like they're in the right place, as far as I can see.  The plasticky interior doesn't seem out of character for me, given the van's intended mission. 

And, Sienna buyers seem to be in it for the long game anyways.  Other than the need to remove the 2nd row, this van is pretty damn good.

Seriously, when does Chrysler's patent on Stow 'n Go end?  The other van manufacturers had better jump on it as soon as it is, because it kicks ass, and trumps a big seat that you need to remove and stow somewhere when you need 8' of cargo space.

Having owned the GC, an Entourage, and an Odyssey.  For the 2 times a year I needed 8' of cargo space, I would take the more comfortable seats in the Odyssey every time.  The padding is much thicker.  The captains chairs are big and comfortable. 

[johngenx]

I love the reclining/Ottoman seats in the second row of the Sienna in the higher trims.  It's like flying first class!