Toyota aims for minivan magic with Sienna MakeOver

[AVANTI R5]

https://www.autonews.com/cars-concep...ienna-makeover

Toyota aims for minivan magic with Sienna makeover

The 2021 Toyota Sienna, due in dealer showrooms late this year, was scheduled to be revealed at the New York auto show last month before the event was postponed because of the COVID-19 crisis. Instead, the fourth-generation Toyota minivan, along with the all-new Toyota Venza hybrid crossover, debuted Monday in an online live event.

Redesigned onto Toyota's flexible TNGA-K platform — which underpins vehicles as diverse as the Camry, RAV4 and Highlander — the newest Sienna receives much-needed styling and interior updates, as well as extra safety equipment and capabilities made possible by its first new platform in a decade.

In the first quarter, U.S. sales of the Sienna fell 36 percent to 11,876. The minivan segment is dominated by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, with its discontinued Dodge Grand Caravan narrowly edging out the Chrysler Pacifica, 24,931 to 24,525, for a combined 59.6 percent of the segment in the first quarter. The Sienna also trails the Honda Odyssey, which is a distant third, with 16,390 sales in the first quarter.

IMG-01Inside, Toyota's designers got creative with a fresh take on the cockpit, crafting what they call the Bridge Console to help the driver better locate needed functions at a more comfortable height and to split the front seats visually. A 9-inch infotainment screen holds center court, while the driver also receives information from a 7-inch screen in the instrument cluster and an optional 10-inch color head-up display available on the Platinum trim level.

In some configurations, the Sienna will maintain available seating for eight, while other models can be equipped with captain's chairs with optional pop-up footrests, depending on trim level. The second-row captain's chairs are able to slide up to 25 inches rearward, enabling the passenger to stretch out in comfort when the third row is unoccupied. Speaking of third-row passengers, Toyota will carry over its Driver Easy Speak feature, which uses the audio system to carry the driver's voice to the rear speakers, allowing rear passengers to better hear the driver without the necessity of raising voices.

The redesigned 2021 Sienna will adopt a host of new safety systems, including an optional digital rearview mirror that can be switched to a camera view if passengers or cargo are blocking the ability to see out the back windows. A Toyota strategy to make its Safety Sense equipment standard across all model lines comes in play here, with lane-departure warning and steering assist, automatic high beams, road sign assist, dynamic cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert all standard.

IMG-02Under the hood, the Sienna will be equipped with a 2.5-liter inline-four engine mated to the two electric motors in its hybrid system, delivering 243 hp. The hybrid drive system has several driver-controlled settings, enabling the driver to switch into Sport, Eco, Normal or electric-only driving, depending on the circumstance. An optional all-wheel-drive model will use a separate electric motor to drive the rear wheels as needed for added traction.

"We looked at several different powertrains and finally decided that this hybrid powertrain ... was the sweet spot for us," said Kaehr.

In addition to greater fuel economy and range — ideal for family vacations and long trips — the setup will be ideal for other routines such as picking up kids from school, Kaehr said.

"In the winter ... having the ability to have the heater on is really important," he added. "And with the hybrid, you're able to use those batteries since you don't put out those fumes from your tailpipe."

And an available 1,500-watt inverter turns the hybrid into a generator for those "minivan scenes of tailgating, camping and power tool usage in your backyard," Kaehr said.

Pricing details for the 2021 Sienna have not been announced.

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[4S-TURBO]

So only a single powertrain and it's a 4 banger hybrid? The point of getting a Sienna is the V6 because it will run for 300k+ miles. Now it's junk when the warranty is up.

[oichan]

Yeah but does it have soul and race inspired driving?




.. *facepalm*

[JustyWRC]

Originally Posted by 4S-TURBO

So only a single powertrain and it's a 4 banger hybrid? The point of getting a Sienna is the V6 because it will run for 300k+ miles. Now it's junk when the warranty is up.

Cause they have such a bad track record with their hybrids?

[hi5.0]

Sienna GR-4 hybrid edition coming soon...

[4S-TURBO]

Originally Posted by JustyWRC

Cause they have such a bad track record with their hybrids?

Would you own one out of warranty? How about a Subaru CVT?

[winsor]

Can't wait to get my hands on a Sienna TRD Off Road.

[oichan]

Originally Posted by winsor

Can't wait to get my hands on a Sienna TRD Off Road.

Those will even come in MT, I bet.

[botbs]

Put the 300hp Rav4 Prime PHEV Engine + Motor in would be better.

[Pre]

I bet it will out accelerate a BRZ.

[wrxsubaru]

Originally Posted by 4S-TURBO

Would you own one out of warranty? How about a Subaru CVT?

I have bought hundreds of Toyota hybrids for fleets. From the 1st gen Prius to 2020 model year vehicles. It is by far the best fleet drivetrain to have ever existed.

Take a look at the Toyota setup, the CVT is a planetary gear setup, not the typical chain/band setup. Out of the hundreds bought i recall two failures(electronic not mechanical) with many of the cars over 250k miles.

The hybrid system cuts idle issues to almost nothing, reduced brake wear to almost nothing, boosted MPG in every scenario, with almost no issues.

I never imagined a hybrid system that adda complexity would be trouble free, but its sooooooo well built. I had 2nd Prius with over 150k miles on the orginal brakes. Its just an amazing setup.

[4S-TURBO]

Originally Posted by wrxsubaru

I have bought hundreds of Toyota hybrids for fleets. From the 1st gen Prius to 2020 model year vehicles. It is by far the best fleet drivetrain to have ever existed.

Take a look at the Toyota setup, the CVT is a planetary gear setup, not the typical chain/band setup. Out of the hundreds bought i recall two failures(electronic not mechanical) with many of the cars over 250k miles.

The hybrid system cuts idle issues to almost nothing, reduced brake wear to almost nothing, boosted MPG in every scenario, with almost no issues.

I never imagined a hybrid system that adda complexity would be trouble free, but its sooooooo well built. I had 2nd Prius with over 150k miles on the orginal brakes. Its just an amazing setup.

Without going in the weeds I will agree up to a point about Prius having owned a used one. But cooling systems in those fail, as do battery packs without warning. And it’s cost prohibitive to fix and at that point the value is zero.

My point is mini van buyers typically keep a while and put a ton of miles on them. Toyota V6 engines and trans are proven to go many miles with minimal maintenance. It’s why they hold their value for so long. Prius values plummet at the end of their warranty for a reason.

[wrxsubaru]

Originally Posted by 4S-TURBO

Without going in the weeds I will agree up to a point about Prius having owned a used one. But cooling systems in those fail, as do battery packs without warning. And it’s cost prohibitive to fix and at that point the value is zero.

My point is mini van buyers typically keep a while and put a ton of miles on them. Toyota V6 engines and trans are proven to go many miles with minimal maintenance. It’s why they hold their value for so long. Prius values plummet at the end of their warranty for a reason.

No idea what your talking about on this one. Please stop while stop while behind.

Cooling you mean the waterpump thats $60 and 1.5 hours of labor for a gen 2 prius. They go out every 100k or so. Or are you talking about the inverter pump thats a .5 hour job on the gen 2 as well? Or $1300 battery pack for a gen 2 prius. I literally have had 4 battery pack failures and changed 3 of the packs at about $1300 for a gen 2 prius and 1k for gen 1. I have never experienced a failure on anything newer than 08....

Deprecition rate on Toyota hybrids is not bad usally slightly above average, but.... If like your claiming a van owner keeps their vehicle for waaaaay longer than average the depreciation curve really does not matter much.

https://www.timesunion.com/business/article/Hybrids-lead-the-charge-in-holding-sales-value-5769360.php

[Brahmzy]

Originally Posted by Pre

I bet it will out accelerate a BRZ.

It absolutely will. But remember, they’ve sold more BRZs than they ever hoped to!

[VarmintCong]

Originally Posted by wrxsubaru

I have bought hundreds of Toyota hybrids for fleets. From the 1st gen Prius to 2020 model year vehicles. It is by far the best fleet drivetrain to have ever existed.

Take a look at the Toyota setup, the CVT is a planetary gear setup, not the typical chain/band setup. Out of the hundreds bought i recall two failures(electronic not mechanical) with many of the cars over 250k miles.

The hybrid system cuts idle issues to almost nothing, reduced brake wear to almost nothing, boosted MPG in every scenario, with almost no issues.

I never imagined a hybrid system that adda complexity would be trouble free, but its sooooooo well built. I had 2nd Prius with over 150k miles on the orginal brakes. Its just an amazing setup.

Good to know, might try to get my wife to look at a Highlander Hybrid or maybe even the Sienna - hopefully it's not bigger than the current one.

[wrxsubaru]

Originally Posted by VarmintCong

Good to know, might try to get my wife to look at a Highlander Hybrid or maybe even the Sienna - hopefully it's not bigger than the current one.

Yeah there great setups. Only issue I have run into is when towing and backing up.

Due to the transmission design reverse only uses the elcectronic motor/s. When backing the gas engine only contributes charge. So when backing you get trapped when towing and needing to reverse and push the trailer backwards. Its not necessarily a common scenario but it happens. Especially if you dont think about it and have a heavier trailer 3k plus.

I really like the highlander hybrid. Have a couple of the last generation, ended in 2019. They perform nicely and are pretty quick with 305hp. Not the best MPG but still in the upper 20s with an ability to tow a small boat.

[Blitzkrieg]

I just can't get over the front end...

[Calamity Jesus]

Originally Posted by wrxsubaru

Cooling you mean the waterpump thats $60 and 1.5 hours of labor for a gen 2 prius. They go out every 100k or so. Or are you talking about the inverter pump thats a .5 hour job on the gen 2 as well? Or $1300 battery pack for a gen 2 prius. I literally have had 4 battery pack failures and changed 3 of the packs at about $1300 for a gen 2 prius and 1k for gen 1. I have never experienced a failure on anything newer than 08....

He's probably referring to the battery pack air cooler that gums up when you live on a dirt road and/or drive with (furry) dogs in your car all the time.