How the Sienna Has Come to Top the Minivan Market
June 26 2025 - Kurtis Cook

A gray 2025 Toyota Sienna for sale parked on a driveway.

From classic Hollywood films and beloved recipes to a good set of tools or a favorite book, some things simply stand the test of time. This is even true in the auto industry, where, despite the steady march of progress, certain things simply can't be improved upon. Take the humble minivan. While SUVs and pickups have become an increasingly popular choice for those seeking a roomy, feature-packed family vehicle, minivans like the Toyota Sienna offer a number of advantages that have allowed them to survive in a rapidly changing market. 

That's not to say the Sienna is stuck in its ways; the multifaceted minivan is now built with a hybrid powertrain that affords drivers a level of efficiency and performance previously unheard of in this segment. The demand for minivans has certainly shrunk when compared to its 1980s and 1990s heyday, but there are still some intriguing options to choose from, including the Sienna, Honda Odyssey, and Chrysler Pacifica. If you're considering a Toyota Sienna for sale, you've come to the right place. Read on as we explore how the Sienna stacks up against the competition and how a visit to Toyota of Bowling Green could end up being the best decision your family ever made.  

Family-Centric Design 

The Sienna's eight-passenger capacity, 101 cu.ft. of cargo room, and a long list of standard safety tech already make it one of the most family-friendly models on the road, but those features hardly scratch the surface of what the minivan has to offer. Toyota's engineers are clearly familiar with the challenges that come with after-school activities, grocery runs, and extended road trips, and they have designed the Sienna to address many of the issues that could otherwise lead to backseat squabbles and carpool conflicts. 

Storage is treated as a top priority, with the Sienna boasting plenty of handy cubbies, 18 cupholders, and sliding second-row captain's chairs that can be adjusted by as much as 25 inches to increase cargo room or passenger comfort depending on the situation. These second-row seats are even available with a pop-up ottoman that'll allow your riders to catch a short nap after a long day out, which can go a long way toward ensuring family harmony. 

While all of these features boost the Sienna's résumé, two optional add-ons really cement the minivan's reputation. Are you tired of hauling your Hoover out to the driveway to clear out crumbs, pet hair, and other debris that might get left behind in the course of the average week? Toyota has you covered with an onboard vacuum that'll allow you to keep everything tidy no matter where the road might take you. An available fridge can help to head-off any hunger-related tantrums, providing parents with a perfect place to stash a few snacks, juice boxes, and other treats.  

While these practical features are a boon to any vehicle, it's the Sienna's ample array of tech that really makes it such an enticing option. A generous 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system is standard on most trims and includes all the connectivity features drivers expect from a modern vehicle. Whether you're streaming your favorite tunes on the available 12-speaker JBL stereo system via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, seamlessly adjusting the climate control systems, initiating phone calls through hands-free Amazon Alexa, or accessing turn-by-turn directions through your smartphone, the Sienna's arsenal of modern tech has a noticeable impact on both convenience and safety. 

An onboard Wi-Fi hotspot will allow everyone to access their favorite content or catch up on homework, while an array of USB-C and USB-A ports keeps your crew's devices charged and ready to go. Second-row passengers will even be able to access an 11.6-inch rear-seat entertainment system on most Sienna trims, because nothing guarantees a quiet ride as well as a little screen time.  

Naturally, the Sienna also provides plenty of advanced tech designed to keep you and your loved ones safe and secure. Toyota's Safety Sense 2.0 suite of driver assistance features is one of the most comprehensive on the market, featuring advanced tools like lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross-traffic alert, and more. 

Best of all, this suite comes standard on all Sienna trims, meaning drivers won't have to shell out extra cash to protect their families. Optional add-ons include a 360-degree exterior camera system that'll make squeezing into tight parking spaces a breeze, while 2025 Sienna models gain a new Advanced Rear Seat Reminder feature that uses millimeter-wave radar technology to ensure no one gets left behind when you're running through the gauntlet of daily errands.

The black dash in a 2025 Toyota Sienna.

The Hybrid Advantage 

Pure performance isn't the be-all-end-all in the minivan segment, which is why the Toyota Sienna is such a nice surprise. Toyota has leveraged new hybrid technology to outfit every model produced since 2021 with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that, combined with a pair of electric motors, gives the driver 245 hp to play with. This approach also means that the Sienna is available with all-wheel drive, which sees the minivan graced with a third electric motor on the rear axle. 

The hybrid version of the Chrysler Pacifica lacks an AWD option altogether, and the Honda Odyssey is saddled with a front-wheel-drive powertrain that, while not a dealbreaker, will give drivers who regularly encounter slick, wintery roads or light off-road conditions something to think about. The Sienna isn't a hot rod by any stretch of the imagination, but with a zero-to-60-mph time of 7.5 seconds, it provides a peppy, satisfying ride that outpaces the Pacifica by nearly half a second. 

The Sienna's hybrid powertrain not only gives the minivan plenty of pep but also makes it one of the most efficient family vehicles on today's market. A little electrification goes a long way, with the Toyota minivan posting an impressive 36 MPG in the city and 36 MPG on the highway. AWD models will see the city figure reduced only to 34 MPG, which means drivers can easily enlist the help of all four wheels without having to pay too much extra at the pump. 

The Sienna is a refreshing change of pace from the minivans of old, which, due to their sheer size, less-than-aerodynamic designs, and the large engine needed to comfortably push eight passengers down the road, tended to be some of the thirstier models on the market. This Toyota's three AC motors and 1.5-kWh nickel-metal hydride battery pack represent a sea change in terms of efficiency. Before swapping over to the hybrid setup, the Sienna still posted an EPA-estimated 27 MPG on the highway, but the fourth-gen models eclipse that number by a wide margin to easily lead the minivan segment. 

How do the Pacifica and Odyssey stack up in terms of fuel economy? We'll start with the plug-in hybrid Pacifica, which stands a slightly better chance of hanging with the Sienna thanks to a powertrain that logs 30 MPG combined. The gas-powered version is a different story, coming in at 19 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway due to its old-fashioned 3.6-liter V6. The Honda Odyssey's 3.5-liter V6 might be slightly smaller, but it is pretty much indistinguishable from the Pacifica at 19 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway. 

Of course, drivers don't tend to think in terms of fuel economy as much as they do dollars and cents. For those looking to compare the three minivans' annual fuel costs, allow us to do the math. The Sienna Hybrid will cost you around $1,350 a year at the pump, while the gas-powered Chrysler and Honda models ring in at almost $1,000 more, averaging $2,200, with the Odyssey setting you back some $2,250.  

Industry-Leading Reliability 

Reliability is an important factor to consider when buying any new or used vehicle, but it's especially important when it comes to a minivan that's responsible for getting your kids to school on time. Toyota has long been one of the most dependable brands on the market, and it has the numbers to back it up. According to a 2025 survey by Consumer Reports, Toyota placed second only to Lexus, which the Toyota Motor Corporation also owns. 

Notching a stellar 74/100 score, Toyota tops the non-luxury market to best competitors like Honda (56/100) and Kia (37/100) by a wide margin. The contrast between brands is even starker when you include one of Toyota's longtime rivals in the minivan segment. Chrysler might have a lot of history behind its name, but reliability is not the automaker's strong suit, with the company ranking dead last with a 29/100 score from Consumer Reports. That number might give drivers considering the Chrysler Pacifica or Voyager a little pause, and it can't be discounted when you set out to find your next family vehicle. 

Toyota's reliability scores are pretty compelling, but how has the brand managed to notch such consistently high ratings year after year? According to Consumer Reports, it all comes down to the company's conservative approach to automotive engineering. "Brands like Lexus and Toyota have a history of conservative redesigns, incrementally improving their entire product line rather than introducing many all-new systems," said Steven Elek, Consumer Report's senior automotive data analyst. "Our data consistently shows over time that cars from those brands are reliable when new, and they continue to be reliable as they age."

The Sienna is a great example of Toyota's long-standing commitment to dependability. The minivan leads the segment with a 4.0 out of 5.0 rating from RepairPal, which cited the Sienna's strong performance, low maintenance, and longevity. The Sienna's strong, efficient hybrid powertrain gives it an obvious advantage over much of the market, and its overall build quality is hard to ignore. Low maintenance and repair costs will help to keep you on budget (and on the road) no matter what sort of hiccups you might encounter, with the Sienna averaging an annual repair and maintenance bill that's more than $100 lower than the segment average. 

How does this compare to competitors like the Honda Odyssey and Chrysler Pacifica? While both are pretty affordable to keep on the road, there are a few concerns around some key components. The Odyssey's transmission is a bit suspect, which isn't good news when it comes to one of the most expensive parts in any vehicle, and the Pacifica follows suit with a less-than-reliable transmission, electrical system, and sliding doors. 

A blue 2025 Toyota Sienna parked near a log cabin.

We Are Your Sienna Headquarters 

From its wide range of infotainment and safety tech to its spacious interior, efficiency, and industry-leading reliability, there's a lot to love about the Toyota Sienna. This model proves that, despite the steady rise of crossovers as the go-to family option, there's still a place for a versatile minivan in today's market. There's a reason the segment has endured through the decades, and the Sienna continues to build on a long legacy of convenience, safety, and practicality while simultaneously embracing new, game-changing features like its ultra-efficient hybrid powertrain, built-in fridge, vacuum cleaner, and even an available head-up display. 

If you're in the market for an adaptable ride that is perfectly suited to the needs of today's busy families, visit us and ask for more information about the Sienna. Head down to Toyota of Bowling Green today; take a test drive and discover each of the six distinct trims in person.