The 2021 Toyota Sienna is entering its fourth generation with a polarizing design, to say the least. The new minivan is adopting a courageous styling that includes aggressive creases and daring character lines, changing the overall design from the previous gen. Its headlights and taillights are not exempt. Nor its enormous grille. Whether you love or hate the new Sienna's exterior, its interior is a different story; Toyota spent so much time innovating its minivan, that its cool features may encourage you to give the design a pass.
The 2021 Sienna is not only powered by a standard hybrid powertrain; it's also available with many cool comforts that make it more premium—from a second row that slides back 25 inches to leave room for an onboard ottoman, to an integrated vacuum.
More Videos
Super Long Slide Captain's Chairs
The name may sound silly, but the idea is innovative. The available second-row captain's chairs can slide back about 25 inches to provide more legroom for an enjoyable ride. Although that means the third row has to be folded, it also leaves space for a built-in ottoman, so second-row passengers can travel in absolute comfort. Oh, and these seats are also heated. Toyota says the Sienna's second row is the best of the segment, and just by looking at the seats, we couldn't disagree much. We'll have to wait to get our hands on a Sienna before we make a final judgment. This feature is only available in the front-drive Limited and Platinum (the latter a new trim for the Sienna).
Kick-Open and Close Sliding Doors
We've seen it on almost every SUV tailgate, but this is the first time the feature has been applied to a minivan's sliding doors. Using a sensor located below the rear sliding doors, simply move a foot under the door to open or close it. This is especially handy when you're carrying something large or when you're busy holding your children's hands.
Ready for Family Adventures
Toyota says the new Sienna can be equipped with Yakima accessories, so if you're planning to go for bike rides or need extra space to carry your stuff around, Yakima has you covered. The Sienna is available with roof crossbars, which support several Yakima's racks. We're not sure if rooftop tents are also supported, but it would be cool to camp on top of the Sienna.
Speaking of camping, there's an optional 1,500-watt inverter with a 120-volt AC outlet that provides power when you need it. Whether it's connecting your laptop or providing electricity to your campsite gear, the Sienna has you covered.
Up to 3,500 Pounds of Towing Capacity
With a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, the 2021 Toyota Sienna's towing ability matches that of the Honda Odyssey but falls behind the Chrysler Pacifica (which can tow 3,600 pounds). Still, that should be enough to tow a small Airstream or a small boat to the lake house.
Vacuum and Cooled Box
The Honda Odyssey was the first minivan to come out with a built-in vacuum, and the Chrysler Pacifica followed suit when it was redesigned in 2016. For its fourth generation, the Sienna is also getting a vacuum, and it's adding a cooled box to its long list of features. The refrigerator is located in the front center console and is easily accessible to those in the second row.
All-Wheel Drive
The 2021 Sienna is the only minivan in the market to offer all-wheel drive with a hybrid powertrain. Although the 2021 Pacifica is getting traction in all four wheels, the system is not available on the hybrid models. This is the same system used in the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, which uses an electric motor to power the rear wheels. At launch, the system can send up to 80 percent of available torque to the rear axle depending on the driving conditions, though most of the time it will send all the power to the front wheels.
XSE for Those Who Want a Sporty Sienna
The Sienna will be available in five different trims—LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum, but the XSE is a little different than the rest. With its 20-inch wheels and sport-tuned suspension, the XSE gets a different appearance compared to the other Siennas. The black wheels, mirror caps and badges stand out, and designers also crafted a different style for the front and rear fascias. Kevin Hunter, president of Toyota's Calty design center, said the XSE was inspired on the race track, and although that thought might be a little too far with this Sienna, the XSE is definitely more attractive.
Seven USB Ports Standard
Depending on its configuration, the Sienna can seat up to eight passengers, and all trims come with seven USB ports. An available wireless charger also means that every occupant can charge their smartphones at the same time.
Stowable Middle Seat
If you opt for the eight-seat configuration, the middle seat in the second row can be easily stowed in the Sienna's floor. While this feature doesn't support the Super Long Slide Captain's Chairs, it still allows limited second-row fore-aft adjustment. The downside, however, is that the second-row seats in the 2021 Sienna are not removable because they have side airbags.
[ad_2]
Source link