The Toyota Sienna is an affordable family hauler
Toyota is an automaker known for its reliable powertrains and practical interior designs, and the 2025 Toyota Sienna doesn’t stray from that formula. The hybrid-only minivan offers exceptional fuel efficiency that makes it one of the most family-friendly road trip vehicles in the industry. While it comes with a solid spec sheet, the latest Toyota Sienna does fall short in a few areas.
The Toyota Sienna received a couple of updates for the 2025 model year, including an updated interior and an Advanced Rear Seat Reminder. The base LE model rolls out with an eight-inch touchscreen display, while all other trims get upgraded to a 12.3-inch display. Higher trim levels also offer a built-in refrigerator and vacuum.
Reason to love it #1: Best-in-class fuel economy
Minivans aren’t exactly known for their efficiency, and there are only a couple of hybrid options available. The Toyota Sienna has been a hybrid-only minivan for several years now, so it’s no surprise it earns exceptional fuel economy. In fact, the 2025 Toyota Sienna boasts best-in-class fuel efficiency.
The 2025 Toyota Sienna earns 36 city mpg, 36 highway mpg, and 36 combined mpg. The Kia Carnival Hybrid is a good competitor, earning up to 34 city mpg, 31 highway mpg, and 33 combined mpg. As for non-hybrid models, the Honda Odyssey is rated for 19 city mpg, 28 highway mpg, and 22 combined mpg.
Reason to love it #2: All-wheel drive is available
All-wheel drive typically isn’t available on minivans, but the 2025 Toyota Sienna breaks that norm. While the Sienna comes with front-wheel drive, you can upgrade to an all-wheel drivetrain for $2,000. The Chrysler Pacifica is available with all-wheel drive as well, but it’ll cost you an extra $2,995.
Toyota
Reason to love it #3: Starts at under $40,000
Vehicle prices have risen dramatically over the past decade or so, and minivans aren’t an exception. Most minivans start at over $40,000, but the Toyota Sienna manages to stay below that line with a starting price of $39,185. At that price, the Sienna is the most affordable hybrid minivan on the market, with the Chrysler Pacifica PHEV starting at $51,055 and the Kia Carnival Hybrid coming in at $40,800.
Toyota
Gas-only minivans aren’t much cheaper than the hybrid-only Toyota Sienna, and in some cases, they’re more expensive. The ICE-only Chrysler Pacifica starts at $42,250, and the Honda Odyssey isn’t much cheaper, available from $42,220. The standard Kia Carnival, starting at $36,800, is the only minivan that’s more affordable than the Toyota Sienna.
Reason to think twice #1: Performance could be a bit better
The 2025 Toyota Sienna offers best-in-class fuel economy but at the cost of performance. The Japanese minivan’s hybrid powertrain offers 245 horsepower, with no torque figure provided by Toyota. The Chrysler Pacifica PHEV comes equipped with a 260-horsepower V6 engine, and the Kia Carnival Hybrid delivers 242 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. The gas-powered Honda Odyssey boasts 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque.
Toyota
Reason to think twice #2: Second-row seats aren’t removable
The Toyota Sienna is fairly roomy on the inside, but it falls short of competitors when it comes to versatility. The second-row seats aren’t removable, but they do slide about two feet forward and backward. Competitors, including the Honda Odyssey, offer second-row seats that can be removed entirely, opening the minivan’s interior up for more cargo.
Toyota
Final thoughts
All things considered, the 2025 Toyota Sienna is a segment veteran that continues to combine affordability with a suite of amenities that make the minivan a true value. While it could be a bit more versatile, it’s a hard model to beat for the price. Before you drive off the lot, give the Kia Carnival and Carnival Hybrid a shot.
About the author
Joseph Pudlewski
Contributing Writer, Autoblog