The 2013 Toyota Sienna: A Minivan that Proves Age is Just a Number

When it comes to minivans, some consumers may have fallen out of favor with this type of vehicle thanks to the popularity of crossover SUVs. However, the 2013 Toyota Sienna proves that you can teach an old dog new tricks. The previous generation Sienna was indeed bland on the outside and not exactly an invigorating vehicle to drive.

All of that changed when the current generation was introduced in 2011, offering five trim levels wrapped in cool sculptured bodywork. Even a sporty SE model was added to the lineup, which truly is sporty along with the mid-range LE. The base L model also joins the mix, providing seven or eight passenger accommodations. Additionally, an optional dual pane sunroof allows for opening and closing either window individually - very cool indeed.

Other minivans worth considering include the recently redesigned Honda Odyssey, the Dodge Grand Caravan, and the value-priced Kia Sedona. Interestingly, these models will skip the 2013 model year. Regardless, all trim levels provide an edgy interior that may be best in the class for both style and layout. However, if you're looking for plenty of standard features, the base model probably isn't going to cut it.

The next level up is the LE, which offers eight passenger seating, iPod USB Bluetooth connectivity, and some additional toys to entertain and amuse. This includes a 3.5-inch information display with a rear view camera. Things get more interesting from there, all the way up, with a large 16-inch splitscreen video system in the back seat, second row recliners, and that SE model with a body kit, lowered suspension, and special instrumentation.

When you remove the second row seats, you'll open up 150 cubic feet of cargo space - even a full-size SUV can't do that for 2013. The base inline 4 engine is discontinued, but even with the standard 266 horsepower 3.5 L V6 engine, the entry-level L model Sienna is still a basic ride. However, move up to the SE trim, and you'll get one of the best driving experiences you'll find in a minivan. The SE is both nimble and responsive, but it's not available in all-wheel drive like the LE XLE and Limited.

Be aware that there's a 2 MPG difference in both City and Highway EPA ratings between front wheel drive and all-wheel models. This means there's an additional fuel expense besides the added cost for all-wheel drive stability control, seven airbags (front and side), and four-wheel ABS. These safety features highlight the Sienna's capabilities, giving it four out of five stars overall from government crash tests and an overall rating of good from the IIHS.

Now, let's talk about pricing. The base model will cost around $26,500, before you tack on some options. On the other hand, the top-of-the-line Sienna Limited has a hefty base MSRP of around $40,000. It's worth noting that all Siennas carry a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The 2013 Toyota Sienna: A Minivan that's Given New Life and Luster

Many Vans may be yesterday's news to some, but Toyota has given the Sienna new life and luster, especially in higher trim levels. If we had our choice, we'd go for the V6 SC Sienna and wonder why everyone else doesn't have one.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enwell minivans may have fallen out of favor with some consumers thanks to the popularity of carlik crossover SUVs the 2013 Toyota Sienna proves that you can teach an old dog new tricks the previous generation Sienna was a bit Bland on the outside and certainly not an invigorating vehicle to drive all of that changed when the current generation was introduced in 2011 offering five trim levels wrapped in Co cool sculptured bodyw works and even a sporty SE model that really is sporty along with the mid-range SE there's the base L Le XLE and limited seven or eight passenger accommodations are in the mix and how about the optional dual pain sunroof allowing you to open and close either one individually very cool other minivans worth considering include the recently redesigned Honda Odyssey the Dodge Grand Caravan and the valueprice Kia Sedona which surprisingly will skip the 2013 model year All trim levels provide an edgy interior that may be best in the class for both style and layout but if you're looking for plenty of standard features the base model probably isn't going to cut it the next level up Le offers eight passenger seating and iPod USB Bluetooth connectivity along with some additional toys to entertain and amuse including a 3 and 1/2 in information display with a rear view camera things get more interesting from there all the way up with a large 16-in splitscreen video system in the back seat second row recliners and that se model with a body kit lowered suspension and special instrumentation remove the second row seats fold down the third and you'll open up 150 cubic feet of cargo space even a full size SUV can't do that for 2013 the base inline 4 engine is discontinued but even with the stand stand 266 horsepower 3.5 L V6 engine the entry level L model Sienna is still a basic ride move up to the SE trim and you'll get one of the best driving experiences you'll find in a minivan true the SE is both Nimble and responsive too bad it's not available in all-wheel drive like the Le XLE and limited but no matter which trim the V6 is matched up to a six-speed automatic be aware that there's a 2 MP gon difference in both City and Highway EPA ratings between front wheeel and all-wheel models so there's an additional fuel expense besides the added cost for all-wheel drive stability control seven airbags front and side and four-wheel ABS highlight the Sienna's safety features giving it four out of five stars overall government crash tests and an overall rating of good from the iihs what will the 2013 Toyota Sienna cost you order up the base model and the sticker will read around $26,500 before you tack off on some options the top-of-the-line Sienna limited has a hefty base MSRP of around $40,000 all Sienna carry a 5-year 60,000 Mi powertrain warranty many Vans may be yesterday's news to some but Toyota has given the Sienna new life and luster especially in the higher trim levels if we had our choice we'd go for the V6 SC Sienna and wonder why everyone else doesn't have onewell minivans may have fallen out of favor with some consumers thanks to the popularity of carlik crossover SUVs the 2013 Toyota Sienna proves that you can teach an old dog new tricks the previous generation Sienna was a bit Bland on the outside and certainly not an invigorating vehicle to drive all of that changed when the current generation was introduced in 2011 offering five trim levels wrapped in Co cool sculptured bodyw works and even a sporty SE model that really is sporty along with the mid-range SE there's the base L Le XLE and limited seven or eight passenger accommodations are in the mix and how about the optional dual pain sunroof allowing you to open and close either one individually very cool other minivans worth considering include the recently redesigned Honda Odyssey the Dodge Grand Caravan and the valueprice Kia Sedona which surprisingly will skip the 2013 model year All trim levels provide an edgy interior that may be best in the class for both style and layout but if you're looking for plenty of standard features the base model probably isn't going to cut it the next level up Le offers eight passenger seating and iPod USB Bluetooth connectivity along with some additional toys to entertain and amuse including a 3 and 1/2 in information display with a rear view camera things get more interesting from there all the way up with a large 16-in splitscreen video system in the back seat second row recliners and that se model with a body kit lowered suspension and special instrumentation remove the second row seats fold down the third and you'll open up 150 cubic feet of cargo space even a full size SUV can't do that for 2013 the base inline 4 engine is discontinued but even with the stand stand 266 horsepower 3.5 L V6 engine the entry level L model Sienna is still a basic ride move up to the SE trim and you'll get one of the best driving experiences you'll find in a minivan true the SE is both Nimble and responsive too bad it's not available in all-wheel drive like the Le XLE and limited but no matter which trim the V6 is matched up to a six-speed automatic be aware that there's a 2 MP gon difference in both City and Highway EPA ratings between front wheeel and all-wheel models so there's an additional fuel expense besides the added cost for all-wheel drive stability control seven airbags front and side and four-wheel ABS highlight the Sienna's safety features giving it four out of five stars overall government crash tests and an overall rating of good from the iihs what will the 2013 Toyota Sienna cost you order up the base model and the sticker will read around $26,500 before you tack off on some options the top-of-the-line Sienna limited has a hefty base MSRP of around $40,000 all Sienna carry a 5-year 60,000 Mi powertrain warranty many Vans may be yesterday's news to some but Toyota has given the Sienna new life and luster especially in the higher trim levels if we had our choice we'd go for the V6 SC Sienna and wonder why everyone else doesn't have one\n"