The 2021 Toyota Sienna Is the Spaceship You Didn’t Know You Need
Beam me up Scotty, to the Bruce Enterprise. For a little context, Bruce is my dog and loves the 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid so far. It feels like a spaceship, and that’s a good thing. My first impressions of the Toyota Sienna are out of this world.
You need to consider the 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid
If you’re reading this, play the Star Wars theme in your head. That might be the last nerdy space reference I’ll make regarding the 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid AWD XSE model that I get to review this week. It’s the middle trim option.
The XLE has an MSRP of $42,760 and includes tons of convenience and luxury upgrades. For example, it has black roof rails, the rear-seat entertainment system, automatic high beams, an electronic on-demand all-wheel drive, a 1500 Watt power inverter, a wireless phone charger, and six USB ports.
The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid is equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors that generate 245 hp and 263 lb-ft of torque. This van feels like it can blast off. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds.
It felt faster than that while driving from Rock Hill, South Carolina, to Asheville, North Carolina. The Sienna was able to merge into traffic and pass others with ease. Also, the sport-tuned suspension is incredibly smooth. It glides over rough patches of back-country roads with ease.
It handles like a sports car with responsive steering and agility. I’ve parked it about three times so far and only had to correct the position once. It feels easy to maneuver in heavy traffic and tight city areas. Plus, the brakes feel smooth and confident.
Command is placed at your fingertips
While driving the 2021 Toyota Sienna, I feel in control. The eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat allowed me to find the perfect driving position. I’m 5’1” and could reach the controls and pedals with ease. The wide windshield also provides a commanding review of the road.
A tall center console spans from the dashboard to the center armrest, providing a shelf to place smaller items. It includes a deep center console bin, plus a storage space is provided beneath it. It was an awesome place to store my bag.
The 9-inch touchscreen display emerges upright from the dashboard about the climate controls. You can adjust settings with the touchscreen or physical knobs. Apple CarPlay was quick and easy to connect, plus it has a wireless phone charger.
You can customize the 10-inch head-up display to provide crucial information such as your speed, navigation instructions, lane centering assistance, and more. It also displays your music and adaptive cruise control settings.
The Sienna is comfortable and convenient
On the roof above the center console, you have buttons to open and close the sliding doors on both sides of the van and to operate the liftgate. All of these commands are included on the keyfob too. The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid XSE comes with remote start and keyless entry as well.
The interior is incredibly quiet, providing a peaceful ride. The seats are large and supportive for all body types. I almost felt like I was driving in a recliner. Bruce found it easy to nap with his doggy seat belt and cover in the third row. There is a mirror on the roof that folds down, allowing you to see the second and third rows. This allows you to keep an eye on everyone.
I haven’t tested the Wi-Fi, rear-seat entertainment system, and AWD yet. But I have six more days to experiment. I do wish the Sienna had a taller ground clearance and experienced some glare from the dashboard. I’ll list more pros and cons as my review continues.
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