text: 2015 Toyota Sienna | Top Speed
  Cars Reviews Toyota Toyota Sienna New cars Minivans Fullsize cars
  by Mark McNabb, on July 18, 2014, 09:00
  Around the side and back, things pretty much stay the same.
  A sharp eye and an expert level of Sienna knowledge are needed to readily discern the differences between the 2014 and 2015 models. Two front grilles are now offered: one in black mesh, the other in a chrome-like, horizontal-bar design. The headlights have slightly changed as well, now coming with an LED strip along the bottom for the daytime running lights.
  Around the side and back, things pretty much stay the same. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as the Sienna is still a pretty stylish contender in the minivan segment. Alloy wheels and a rearward-sloping roofline help add character to the van, while an accent scallop in the side doors helps put the Sienna on a visual diet. A large greenhouse means everyone has a good view outside — especially important for all those family roadtrips where the kiddos will be watching the passing scenery and not their favorite movie on the DVD system for the thousandth time.
  One thing the Sienna does that Chrysler has never done is offer reclining second-row captains chairs.
  The attraction for any minivan revolves around what's inside. Room for kids, gear, dogs, balloons, rabbits, and the occasional lizard is generally the idea. The Sienna has no shortage of space for all that stuff and more. Just like before, the three-passenger, third-row seats tumble and fold flat while the second row captains chairs roll forward to produce a large open space for carrying plenty of stuff. The Sienna's seats are nearly as innovative as the Chrysler's Stow-N-Go system, but the Toyota affords plenty of room nonetheless.
  One thing the Sienna does that Chrysler has never done is offer reclining second-row captains chairs. Just like those found in über expensive luxury sedans, a footrest folds up as the chair reline back for the ultimate nap-while-you-ride experience. Of course, that added luxury is optional and does come at a price.
  The interior changes for 2015 involve an updated dashboard. The center console and HVAC controls are totally revised, along with the driver's gauge cluster that houses a new 4.2-inch, color information display. A new, seven-inch touchscreen lives in the center console and now includes multi-function gestures, like swiping, for customizing the infotainment system's home screen.
  Also new is a drop-down mirror that helps the driver keep track of the back-seat passengers. If things get a little unruly back there, the driver now enjoys Toyota's Easy Speak system that uses a microphone by the driver's head to project his or her voice through the audio speakers in the rear seats. No more sore throats from yelling at that third row heathens. Joining the 2015 party is a new interior color – black leather with white contrast stitching.
  Carrying over from 2014 is the 3.5-liter V-6 with dual overhead cams actuated with variable valve timing. The powerplant is good for 266 horsepower and 245 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.
  The combination of the V-6 and six-speed auto help the Sienna achieve 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. That's not too bad considering the Sienna's large size and hefty weight.
  For those families who do the occasional towing, the Sienna is rated to pull 3,500 pounds when equipped with a frame-mounted receiver hitch.
  While pricing for the new 2015 Sienna hasn't been announced yet, we don't expect it to venture far from the 2014 pricing spectrum. A base Sienna for 2014 starts at $26,920 and grows to over $45,000 for the Limited trim.
  The Sienna has some stout competition for 2015, namely the all-new 2015 Sedona. With a swanky new exterior and a rather luxurious interior, the Sedona is a surprising leap forward in both design and function for the Korean automaker.
  Powering the new Sedona is a 3.3-liter V-6 making 276 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. The V-6 is backed by a six-speed automatic that sends power to the front wheels.
  Pricing for the 2015 Sedona hasn't been released as of this writing, but expect it to be competitive with the Toyota.
  They Odyssey is yet another strong minivan in the contenders' list. The Honda is full of innovative interior packaging that includes a vacuum cleaner in the rear cargo area and a bevy of infotainment and safety features. The Odyssey's interior and exterior styling is still fresh, though it hasn't been long since its last update.
  Power comes from a 3.5-liter V-6 with Honda's renowned VTEC system that makes 248 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. Two transmissions are available; a five-speed auto in the base van and a six-speed unit in the Touring trim level. Go for the six-speed if fuel economy is a concern as the extra gear affords it an extra mile per gallon in every category. The EPA lists the six-speed Odyssey as getting 19 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined.
  Pricing for the Odyssey starts at $28,675 for the LX trim and rises past $44,000 for the Touring Elite package.
  The 2015 Toyota Sienna will surely continue the trend of swanky mommy-mobile for Toyota in the years to come. Though competition is getting stronger, the Toyota holds a pretty decent share of the market. The new interior styling and updated dashboard gadgets, along with the refreshed exterior styling help keep the Sienna relevant.
  As with all minivans, if you're needing to haul a bunch of people around in good comfort with plenty of room for extra stuff, it's hard to go wrong here. While driving pleasure and excitement aren't anywhere near top priority with the minivan scene, the Sienna still seems to deliver.