One of the most exciting things about reviewing a vehicle is using it for its intended purpose. Yes, a C8 Corvette has great curves and sounds mean, but it’s most satisfying when you drop the hammer and fly down the road. Testing the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 several years ago was more enjoyable because I was able to fill all three rows of seats with my friends. Off-road SUVs are meant to be put into 4LO and taken into the wild. When I learned I would be getting my hands on a 2025 Toyota Sienna Platinum, I got excited because I knew I would be testing the luxurious minivan not just as an automotive writer, but as a dad and family man.
WHAT’S NEW
When it was introduced as a 2021 model, the fourth-generation Sienna was a radical departure from its predecessor. Not only did it have a dramatic front end inspired by the design of Japan’s Shinkansen bullet train, but it was also only available with a hybrid powertrain. Consider the 2025 model the Sienna’s mid-cycle refresh. The exterior updates are subtle and include color and trim changes as well as new wheel designs for the Woodland Edition and Platinum model, which gets two-tone 20-inch rollers. A new Hybrid Electric Vehicle badge reminds onlookers of the choice Toyota made years ago.
The bulk of the revisions to the 2025 Sienna are on the inside. All trim levels come equipped with dual microphones for better call clarity, cabin-wide USB-C charging, and a new, faster-charging fifth-generation Qi wireless charger. New colors join the palette of available options and come paired with different finishes for the center console, which has a woodgrain look in the Limited and Platinum models. Most importantly, the 2025 Sienna is the launch vehicle for Toyota’s Advanced Rear Seat Reminder system, which uses millimeter-wave radar to detect movement in the second and third rows before issuing an escalating series of alerts. XSE, Woodland Edition, Limited, and Platinum grades receive a customizable 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster; only the Platinum gets a 10-inch head-up display, built-in vacuum, and FridgeBox cooler as standard equipment. My Platinum press loaner was optioned with the digital rearview mirror camera and a few small protective accessories, which took it from a base price of $56,145 up to an as-tested price of $58,774.
BABY ON BOARD
This January, my son Hayden was born. Not only has he changed my life for the better, but he also changed the way I look at vehicles. Now, one of the first questions that pops into my head when I get the keys to a new review vehicle is, How does it handle a car seat and a stroller? After a weekend of running errands and shopping with my wife, mother-in-law, and son, I learned the answer is “very well.” After opening the passenger-side power sliding door with just a wave of my foot, I didn’t have to move the front passenger seat forward to accommodate Hayden’s car seat in the second-row captain’s chair. Folding the third row of seats down freed up a total of 75.2 cubic feet of cargo space, which was more than enough for my little guy’s collapsible stroller. Even when the back row was up, I was easily able to fit the stroller into the deep cavity behind it.
During a stop at Old Navy, where I was glad to watch after Hayden in the Sienna while the ladies shopped inside, I got a chance to enjoy one of the highlights of the Platinum model. I pushed the driver-side second-row seat back, reclined, and deployed the ottoman. It was a relaxing, luxurious way to pass the time while keeping an eye on my boy.
FAMILY MATTERS
The Sienna turned out to be as comfortable as it was capable. Every seat was a good one. All four people in the first two rows had their own climate zone. The digital gauge panel and 12.3-inch center touchscreen were large and legible. When it was cool in the morning, I could use the heated steering wheel and front seats; if it got too hot in the afternoon, I just pushed the button for the seat cooler. Whoever rode next to Hayden in the second row had their own heated seat. Although not every cup holder was large enough to hold my 17-ounce water bottle, there were plenty of them spread throughout the cabin. The same goes for the manual side sunshades; I expected to the see them in the middle row, but I was surprised that Toyota also installed a pair in the third row.
My wife and mother-in-law never leave our house without a cool beverage and they didn’t have to leave the Sienna without one, either, thanks to the FridgeBox. It didn’t take long for my wife to decide what she thought of the Sienna. Within minutes of being in it, she told me, “I want one of these.” Hayden seemed pleased with the ride quality. I could tell by looking at his beautiful, peaceful face as he slept.
STUFF SHUFFLIN’
After my family moved into our new house, a process which seemed to never end, the last thing I wanted to do was fill another vehicle with housewares. But I was eager to see how the Sienna performed as a sort of domestic work vehicle so I gladly helped load it with seasonal decor items bound for my mother-in-law’s storage unit. Given the shape of some of my cargo, I left the second-row captain’s chairs up, but lowered the rear seats. That configuration allowed me to carry a dining room chair, a pop-up singing Santa Claus, and an artificial Christmas tree split into two massive zip-up bags. After my mother-in-law and I unloaded the Sienna, she told me she wanted to bring four large totes back to the house. That pit behind the third row was so deep and roomy that by the time I had all the bins in the van, it looked as if the bottom two weren’t even there. I was impressed.
THE TRADE-OFF
If you’re thinking a hybrid minivan doesn’t sound like the most engaging driving experience, you’re right. It’s not. The Sienna’s 189-horsepower, 176-lb-ft 2.5-liter I4; 180-horsepower electric motor; and Nickel Metal Hydride battery produce 245 net horsepower. The engine sounds coarse and although it has a certain sense of urgency under heavy throttle, the acceleration doesn’t equate to fun or excitement. Neither does the electric power steering or the stiff and stoic brake pedal.
You know what? That didn’t matter to me. I didn’t expect the Sienna to be a driver’s vehicle. I knew it was meant to be more of a tool than a toy. It did what it was built to do well, all while returning an average of 36.9 mpg over the course of 306.5 miles.
Ten years ago, I never thought I’d like a minivan. The Honda Odyssey and Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid changed that, but neither one of those made me want a minivan. The 2025 Toyota Sienna Platinum and my family changed that.
