2021 Toyota Sienna Comparison Against the Competition

According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2021 is the year of the ox, but according to automakers, 2021 is the year of the minivan. That’s because the 2021 model year welcomes an all-new Toyota Sienna, as well as refreshes to the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey. While the Sienna, Pacifica, and Odyssey are the big players in the segment, these three are not the only minivans available to consumers. In fact, Chrysler sells the Voyager, as well, a cheaper Pacifica alternative that lacks its pricier sibling’s updated looks. Likewise, Kia maintains a foothold in the class with its attractive but aging Sedona. On paper, which of these vans is best?

The Toyota Sienna goes from the segment’s most powerful to its least. Blame Toyota‘s decision to ditch the old 296-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 for a hybrid powertrain that consists of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors (all-wheel-drive Siennas add a third motor at the rear axle). With 243 horses in its stable, the Sienna ought to offer enough power for most, though. That said, the six-cylinder Kia, Honda, and Chryslers pack 276, 280, and 287 hp, respectively. The plug-in gasoline-electric Pacific Hybrid, meanwhile, corrals 260 ponies out of its powertrain. Those equally as interested in burning rubber as hauling passengers will likely prefer the performance of the Odyssey over its minivan competition. The last time we tested one of Honda’s people movers it sauntered to 60 miles per hour in 6.7 seconds. Prior Sedona, Pacifica, and Pacifica Hybrid testers clicked past the mile-a-minute mark after seven seconds. Although we’ve yet to test the 2021 Sienna, its dearth of power (as well as the extra weight it surely carries due to its battery pack) likely limits its chances of taking the Odyssey down in a straight line.

Minivans are not known for looks. Still, automakers continue to try to bring some sex appeal to this largely utilitarian body style. More conservative consumers will likely appreciate the more subdued design of the Chryslers and Kia. Those looking to turn heads, however, will surely lean toward the Sienna and Odyssey. Our eyes are partial to the clean lines of the Chrysler vans. While the Sienna’s design looks somewhat incohesive and bloated to us, the van at least takes styling risks—even if it fails to fully pan out.

Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has crash-tested the 2021 Sienna yet. That said, the new van comes with a slew of standard active and passive safety features including automatic front braking with pedestrian detection, automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, lane centering, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

Whereas the Honda, Kia, and Chryslers all earn five-star ratings from the NHTSA, only certain Odyssey and Pacifica models offer the goods to earn a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. Admittedly, those awards were given to these vans in 2019; the changes to the 2021 Odyssey and Pacifica may alter both models’ standings with the IIHS.

Toyota estimates the 2021 Sienna returns 33 miles per gallon combined—a noteworthy figure next to its gas-only competitors’ 21-22 mpg EPA combined figures. Only the gasoline-electric Pacifica Hybrid and its EPA-rated 30 mpg combined figure comes close to the Sienna’s estimated fuel economy. While the Sienna appears to earn the gold medal in this category, the Toyota concedes some efficiency to the Pacifica Hybrid’s plug-in powertrain. Thanks to its 16.0-kilowatt-hour battery pack, the Chrysler offers 32 miles of emissions-free driving on a full charge, per the EPA. Meanwhile, the Sienna’s EV drive mode limits electric-only driving to short distances at low speeds.

Minivans are not pickup trucks, and each of these vans’ maximum towing capacities reflects that. Still, the Toyota’s, Honda’s, and Kia’s 3,500-pound figures allow all three vans to lug small trailers and boats with ease. The Chrysler tops the segment with its 3,600-pound capacity. Avoid the Pacifica Hybrid if towing is a requirement, though—Chrysler discourages owners from using the plug-in minivan in such a manner.

Pricing for most of these 2021 minivans remains under wraps; however, if each vehicle’s 2020 counterpart is anything to go by, then the Kia Sedona and Chrysler Voyager are the least expensive means of owning a new minivan thanks to each model’s sub-$30,000 price tag. Expect the Sienna, Odyssey, and Pacifica to start in the low-to-mid $30,000 range and the plug-in Pacifica Hybrid to bear a cost of entry north of $40,000.