2020 Toyota Sienna Pros vs Cons

The mini-van is still alive and well in a market chock full of trucks and SUVs. At the top of its pack sits the 2020 Toyota Sienna, a mini-van that is known for its versatility. This model year, Toyota steps it up a notch with the addition of a black-out package called Nightshade, which is truly exquisite if you're into an all-black design. No matter what colors you get on the Sienna, it is hard to deny the Sienna's flexibility when it comes to carrying both passengers and cargo.

What's New for 2020?

The only change made on the 2020 Toyota Sienna is the all-black Nightshade package. Otherwise, you can expect this model year's line-up to have virtually all of the same features and specs as the 2018 line.

Ten Reasons You May Like the 2020 Toyota Sienna – The Pros

1. Quick Acceleration

The 2020 Toyota Sienna has no problem getting up to highway speed, even though the transmission does not make the smoothest shifts. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds, which is a solid time for this class. You can take this mini-van up to full-throttle and get a spunky performance from it, which is hard to say about most mini-vans.

2. Plenty of Room in the Second Row

Want to give your second-row passengers a delightful ride? Well, you can in the Sienna. The second row has plenty of leg space. In fact, it has so much space that passengers can kick pack and draw up the available leg rests. These are integrated into the seats and are really relaxing on long rides.

3. Climate Control Does Its Job Well

The 2020 Toyota Sienna's tri-zone climate control system works well at heating up and cooling down all three rows of the cabin. Passengers up front and in the rear will feel toasty on winter days and keep cool during the blazing hot summer. Also, the heated front seats work exceptionally well at warming your bum. The heated steering wheel is a huge bonus for drivers.

4. Visibility is Excellent

Mini-vans are either hit or miss when it comes to visibility. Luckily, the Sienna is designed so that the driver can see clearly fore and aft as well as out the side windows. The roof pillars are slender enough, and the windshields give enough width to make for a good view. Use the rearview camera if you need to back out of a tight parking space, but you will mostly find yourself relying on your own line of vision.

5. A Lengthy List of Infotainment Features

One thing that the 2020 Toyota Sienna does not skimp on is standard infotainment features. The smaller 8.8-inch touchscreen does not have the clearest resolution, but the graphics are at least adequate. The 10.1-inch touchscreen is a better upgrade. Standard features include smartphone app integration via Apple CarPlay. The only thing lacking is Android Auto, which would make sense for Toyota to add. Even without that, the Sienna's interface is full of features and is user-friendly.

6. Cargo Space in Abundance

The Sienna is not just an excellent people-hauler; it is also quite capable of transforming into a cargo-hauler. With all seats in place, you get 39.1 cubic feet of cargo space, which is good for this class. Take down the two rows of rear seats and you will be left with a whopping 150 cubes. This makes the Sienna highly competitive with other top-of-the-pack mini-vans and offers drivers a lot of versatility.

7. Plenty of Small Item Storage Areas

Another thing that the 2020 Toyota Sienna has in abundance are small item storage spaces. From the numerous, well-sized cup-holders to the deeply cavernous storage bins, the Sienna has a lot of ways for you to store your goods. There is also a push-button lift-gate and power sliding doors that make using the Sienna all the easier. Just stash your tablet in a bin, slide yourself out of your seat, and go about your business. It's all about making life easier for you.

8. A Respectable Fuel Economy

Let's be honest, no one really expects much from mini-vans in terms of high miles per gallon. But the Sienna ranks up there with the fuel-savvy Honda Odyssey. The Sienna gets 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, making for a combined 22 mpg. Not a bad showing at all. Some real-world tests have shown that the Sienna can get a combined 24.2 mpg, which shows it can do better than its EPA estimates.

9. Multiple Configurations are Available

The 2020 Toyota Sienna has something for everyone. There are five trim levels (the L, LE, SE, XLE, and Limited) and Premium sub-trims on the three higher trims. If you yearn for something sporty, go for the SE, which has a sport-tuned suspension. Want all the bells and whistles? Almost every single feature is made standard on the Limited trim. If you need a mobility-aid design, get the LE or XLE versions that come with a superbly helpful power-operated Auto Access Seat.

10. The Nightshade Package

While you do have to spend more to get the all-black Nightshade Package, if you want to go dark, it is totally worth the cost. This will set your vehicle apart from the blander-looking mini-vans on the road. It includes 18- or 19-inch black alloy wheels, a black shark fin antenna, a black sport mesh front grille, a black rear spoiler, black badges, and a black Toyota emblem emblazoned on the back. Pretty cool, huh?

Reasons You May Not Like the 2020 Toyota Sienna – The Cons

1. A Lot of Body Roll

Want to rapidly round the 2020 Toyota Sienna through tough turns? Think again. You are going to have to slow this puppy down before you enter the turn since it has a significant amount of body roll. It is the Sienna's biggest drawback and is one that is impossible to ignore. Take your time and make turns with caution. The SE trim does have a sport-tuned suspension that will reduce body roll, but the trims without that suspension will let you feel the roll.

2. The Engine Doesn't Like Cold Weather

Okay, so most of us do not like the cold weather, so we cannot blame the Sienna's engine for getting grumpy on winter mornings. If you start up and drive off without letting the engine warm up, you will feel a pretty powerful surge. This is one of those vehicles that needs the time to warm up.

3. The Seats Lose Their Support

The longer you sit in one of the 2020 Toyota Sienna's seats, the more the pressure points will get exposed. This can make for some discomfort and is definitely not what you should expect from mini-vans, which tend to be packed with comfort and support. It is a shame that Toyota has not added more cushioning and support to the Sienna's seats.

4. The Second Row Seats are Hard to Move

Want to get in or out of the third row? It will be a hassle. The second row of seats is incredibly heavy and therefore difficult to move. It will take some effort to get them out of the way. Compound that with the tapering roof-line (which leaves very little head space) and you get a cramped entry and exit from the third row.

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

2020 Toyota Sienna vs. 2020 Honda Odyssey

The 2020 Toyota Sienna faces seriously stiff competition from the well-loved 2020 Honda Odyssey. The Odyssey has a powerful V6 engine that helps it get up to speed in a time comparable to the Sienna. It also has a lot of the same standard features and offers Android Auto integration. On the downside, the Odyssey does not have power-folding third-row seats or a surround-view camera.

2020 Toyota Sienna vs. 2020 Kia Sedona

The 2020 Kia Sedona is another competitor trying to keep up with the Sienna. The Sedona offers a cockpit reminiscent of what you will find in a lot of SUVs. It also has a quiet cabin and lengthy list of standard features. What really holds the Sedona back from competing with the Sienna is that the Sedona has a busy ride quality and smaller cargo area.

Conclusion

The 2020 Toyota Sienna is set to be one of the bigger sellers in the mini-van segment for this model year, and it is no wonder why. Its engine is capable of sprinting at a quick pace when needed, and the cabin has a cozy vibe to it. The Sienna makes for a comfortable family vehicle and is ideal for those with multiple growing children. It is also a good pick if you know you are going to utilize a lot of cargo space.