Fresh off a powertrain transplant for model year 2017 that substantially boosted performance, the rockin’ Toyota Sienna family van enters the 2018 model year with a freshened face, quieter cabin, new Entune multimedia systems and, most importantly, standard Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P). TSS-P is a comprehensive upgrade that equips the Sienna with Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/ PD), Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/ SA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC). Standard TSS-P makes Sienna the only minivan in its segment to have active braking standard across all grades.

A larger lower grille and larger fog light compartments, plus sculpted lower rocker panels from the SE, give Sienna a road-hungry look across all grades. And why not for a family van?

The Sienna is a powerful cruiser with the D-4S direct-injection V6 engine and Direct Shift – 8AT 8-speed automatic transmission it received for 2017. For 2018, it’s a quieter cruiser, too, on certain grades thanks to a new acoustic windshield (SE only) and laminated front-row side window glass (Limited only). The Sienna driver is better informed for 2018 with a 4.2-inch TFT multi-information display and, exclusively for the Limited Premium grade, a new available Bird’s Eye View monitor. This practical machine offers three sophisticated new colors for 2018: Toasted Walnut Pearl, Alumina Jade Metallic, and Parisian Night Pearl.

The Sienna is also a more connected cruiser with upgraded Entune multimedia systems for 2018, plus five USB ports covering all three rows. The L grade gets Toyota Entune 3.0 with Connected Navigation (Scout GPS Link with Moving Maps). The LE, SE, and XLE grades gain Entune 3.0 Audio Plus with Safety Connect, and not to mention, WiFi Connect for up to five mobile devices for 4G LTE coverage (also standard on Limited).

The SE and XLE can be upgraded to Entune 3.0 Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation and App Suite. Limited grades come standard with Entune 3.0 Premium JBL Audio with Dynamic Navigation and Destination Assist with Sound Staging, Low Frequency Sounds, and Clari-Fi technology for amazing sound quality. The available Rear Seat Entertainment system now includes streaming capability for Android devices.

Room for All, and Then Some

The Sienna remains ever the family-friendly van, with the choice of 7- or 8-seat cabin configurations, up to a massive 150 cu. ft. of carrying space, and a comprehensive array of available multimedia systems. It’s available in five grades: L, LE, SE, XLE, and Limited. Toyota Mobility also offers the LE and XLE with an Auto Access Seat having a 330-lb. lift capacity. The Sienna is still the only van in the segment offering available all-wheel drive.

The Sienna’s 3.5-liter V6 produces 296 horsepower and 263 lb.-ft. of torque, and, in partnership with the transmission’s eight ratios, makes the Sienna a rapid hauler, indeed. All-wheel drive with active torque control is available for the LE, XLE, and Limited, providing an important all-weather traction advantage that is not found in any other family van. The standard Tow Prep Package allows the Sienna to pull a 3,500-pound-max load.

Sport + Van

With its unitized body with anti-vibration sub-frame, MacPherson front and torsion beam rear suspension and Electronic Power Steering (EPS), Sienna delivers a solid, direct on-road feel. The SE grade brings stylish projector-beam headlights, LED daytime running lamps (DRL) and smoke-look trim to the Sienna formula. Its sportiness goes beyond just looks, though: it rides atop a sport-tuned suspension and exclusive 19-inch wheels and tires. The combination of sportier underpinnings and footwear sharpens the 8-passenger van’s handling on twisty roads. (Yes, a van that likes twisty roads.) Inside, trim-specific instrumentation and heated and powered front black-leather-trimmed seats with white stitching complete the SE’s impressive list of exclusive traits.

Space Craftiness

The Sienna remains at heart an exemplary people-mover, offering an expansive cabin that’s comfortable for up to eight passengers (or seven with the available second-row captain’s chair seating). Stow the Sienna’s third row seats and remove the second row to open up 150 cu. ft. of available cargo space, all easily accessible from the wide, dual sliding doors. Power liftgate comes standard on SE, XLE and Limited grades. The Sienna can even carry 4×8-ft. sheets of plywood – a DIYer’s necessity.

The available seven-seat configuration is sure to please both adults and children, thanks to second-row captain’s chairs that slide 23 inches rearward to reveal enormous legroom. Or, if young children are riding along, drivers can position the second row of seats closer to the first row to ease their access to child passengers. The Sienna is equipped with four LATCH locations for securing child seats.

The Sienna Limited FWD’s standard second-row is made up of twin lounge seat captain’s chairs covered in premium leather-trim. The seats feature dual armrests, leg and foot support, and an easy-release mechanism when seat removal or repositioning is desired. Also on the front wheel-drive Limited, a sliding center console is accessible to both front seats and second-row passengers.

On eight-passenger models, the second-row center seat can be removed and stowed in the left side of the rear-storage area, leaving a cup holder and storage tray between the two remaining seats. Regardless of cabin configuration, all second-row seats provide easy access to the third row.

With the Tip Up and Long Slide feature, the seats can be easily moved forward and back on extended rails, adjusting room as needed for passengers or cargo. Sliding the second-row seats all the way to the rear creates a walk-in aisle, making it easier to enter, exit, install a child seat, or place a child in a seat. Storage bins, spaces, and cup holders galore are on every Sienna grade.

The 60/40 Split and Stow third-row seat folds flat with one motion and is made even easier in the Limited FWD model with its power seat lowering and raising functions. Even with the third-row seats in use, the Sienna still possesses enough cargo capacity to hold five golf bags or four large suitcases. Handy grocery hooks in both rows add storage convenience. Roof rack crossbars are available for even more cargo carrying possibilities.

Mother’s (and Father’s) Big Helper

Sienna makes sure shuttling the family is a low-stress but enjoyable experience. A Tri-Sync switch for the air conditioning lets drivers manage temperatures in all three climate zones with individual temperature settings for driver, front passenger and rear-seat passengers and a separate rear digital control panel. The available push button driver’s seat center armrest can adjust to numerous positions, and can return to its last position even after it’s been stowed. Cold hands will appreciate the Limited’s standard heated leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Keeping eyes squarely on the road is the idea behind the 4.2-inch color TFT information display (MID) placed within the instrument panel in the driver’s line of sight. It’s standard on all grades for 2018. Audio channels can be controlled via the four-way switch located on the multifunction steering wheel. The MID is linked directly to the Entune multimedia system and is able to display turn-by-turn navigation information. On AWD models, the MID can also show all-wheel drive operation, which can indicate the vehicle’s response on slippery surfaces.

Keeping Rear Seat Peace

Parents should never take their eyes off the road to check on the kids. That’s what the standard conversation mirror integrated into the overhead console is for. It gives the Sienna driver an all-encompassing view of rear passengers. The available Driver Easy Speak feature, meanwhile, essentially gives the driver a built-in public address system. Using the microphone in the Sienna’s voice-command multimedia system, Driver Easy Speak projects the driver’s voice through the audio system’s rear speakers. (“Stop annoying your little sister!”)

On any commute, the value of the available Dual View Entertainment Center, which uses two viewable displays within a seamless 16.4-inch widescreen image, will be immediately apparent. Used as a single screen, it can be easily seen from the third row. The system features Blu-Ray capability, an HDMI input, and an SDXC card reader that can play 10 different audio and video formats. It can play from one or two separate sources as well, and the option also includes a pair of wireless headphones. Passengers in any seat can operate the entertainment system via remote control.

Entune Multimedia

Every available Entune head unit integrates an integrated backup camera display and Siri Eyes Free mode. On Entune 3.0 Audio Plus and above, head units come with SiriusXM Satellite Radio with 3-month Complimentary SiriusXM All Access Trial, HD Radio, HD Radio traffic, Wi-Fi Connect and weather in major metro areas.

The SE Premium and XLE Premium feature Entune Premium Audio with Integrated Navigation and App Suite, while Limited and Limited Premium feature Entune JBL Premium Audio with Integrated Navigation and App Suite.

Entune App Suite includes mobile apps Destination Search, iHeartRadio, NPR One, OpenTable, Pandora, Yelp, and Slacker Radio. Entune data services include a fuel price guide, sports scores, stocks, traffic, and weather. Entune apps are opened by pressing a switch on the steering wheel, then speaking the name of the app. Voice commands operate the app. The audio unit can download new Entune apps as they’re developed, including the necessary voice recognition components. Access to Entune App Suite is subscription free. (See toyota.com/entune for details.)

The Toyota Safety Features Standard

New for 2018, Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) comes standard on all grades equipping each Sienna with Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/ PD), Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/ SA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC).

The standard Toyota Star Safety System equips the 2018 Toyota Sienna with Anti-lock Brakes (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), and Smart Stop Technology (SST).

The Sienna is equipped with eight Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) airbags, including dual-stage front airbags, seat-mounted side airbags for the driver and front passenger, side curtain airbags in all three rows, a front passenger seat cushion airbag plus a driver’s side knee airbag. Active headrests in both front seats help to reduce the possibility of whiplash in certain types of collisions.

The available Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) on SE (standard on XLE and Limited) uses sub-millimeter wave radar designed to detect vehicles in the Sienna’s blind spots. When the system detects a vehicle in the adjacent lane, it alerts the driver using indicators on the side mirrors. If the turn signal is activated when there is a vehicle in the blind spot of the driver’s intended lane, the indicator on the corresponding mirror will flash. Rear Cross Traffic Alert can be especially helpful alerting the driver of a crossing vehicle when backing out of a driveway or parking space using an audible and visual alert.

Connected for Safety

The Sienna Limited and Limited Premium grades come with the added assurance of Safety Connect telematics technology. Its one-year complimentary trial subscription covers four safety and security features: Automatic Collision Notification, Stolen Vehicle Location, Emergency Assistance Button (SOS), and Roadside Assistance.

Developed specifically for the North American market, the Sienna was primarily designed by Toyota’s Calty Design Research Center in Newport Beach, Calif., developed in part at Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Mich., and is assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana.

Limited Warranty

Toyota’s 36-month/36,000 mile basic new-vehicle warranty applies to all components other than normal wear and maintenance items. Additional 60-month warranties cover the powertrain for 60,000 miles and corrosion with no mileage limitation.

Standard ToyotaCare is a complimentary plan covering normal factory-scheduled maintenance and 24-hour roadside assistance for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first.