Toyota Sienna has been the quintessential minivan for quite some time. However, Toyota intends to break away from this stereotype, which is evident from how the new 2022 Sienna looks. The automaker has ramped up the former minivan with muscular body sides, roof racks, and a flat hood to compete with other SUVs in the market. But does this makeover manage to garner the attention most front runners receive? Let us find out.

Refreshing new looks
The new Toyota Sienna has a handsome styling that makes it look less like a typical minivan and more like a mid-sized SUV, except for the sliding side doors. The Woodland Edition, a new entry in Sienna’s trims, has a 0.6-inch lift kit for better ground clearance. It also includes a roof rack and tow hitch with a 1500W power outlet if you intend to take your Sienna on an adventurous hike. The XSE trim boasts 20-inch wheels, sporty seats, and bulkier front and rear bumpers to assert more dominance on the road. However, a more aggressive powertrain would have added to the vehicle’s overall appeal.

Under the hood
The new Toyota Sienna, unlike its predecessors, has a hybrid 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine coupled with a set of electric motors to churn out 245 horsepower. You can skip the front-wheel-drive arrangement and go for an all-wheel drive with a third electric motor to drive the rear wheels. However, it takes a little over 7.5 seconds to clock 60 mph, which is slightly slower in this segment. The new Toyota Sienna offers decent mileage despite an average powertrain with 36 mpg (miles per gallon) in front-wheel drive and 35 mpg under an all-wheel-drive arrangement.

Safety
The new Toyota Sienna’s safety features cover the shortcomings of its powertrain performance. In every trim, it offers blind-spot monitoring and the Safety Sense 2.0 bundle as standard driver-assistance features. The Safety Sense 2.0 bundle includes features like Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert, Automated Emergency Braking, and Road Sign Assist. Thus, the Safety Sense 2.0 Bundle ensures a better driving experience with safety. However, parking sensors and 360-degree cameras come at an extra cost. While Toyota Sienna has spared no expense in terms of safety, a comfortable drive is equally essential.

Interior and comfort
The interiors of the new Toyota Sienna feel as stylish, modern, and refreshing as its exterior. The designers have steered away from the conventional open-cockpit design seen in its predecessors. You now see a tall center console from the dashboard to the center armrest. The arrangement provides a spacious underneath to store essentials. Apart from this, Platinum and Limited trims have two-tone interiors. The SUV’s second-row seats are not removable, but its captain chairs can slide 25 inches. This offers extra legroom to third-row passengers. The top two trims are equipped with an onboard vacuum cleaner for quick cleaning and reclining second-row seats with pop-up ottomans.

Infotainment and connectivity
When it comes to infotainment and connectivity, the new Toyota Sienna has got everything it takes to enhance its passenger experience. It has a 9.0-inch touchscreen display that stands above the climate control and comes preinstalled with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and more. The vehicle has seven USB ports, a Wi-Fi hotspot for maximum connectivity, and SiriusXM satellite to browse artist-curated channels, including live performances. The base models are fitted with six speakers, while the XLE trim has eight with an optional upgradation to a 12-speaker system by JBL. The 12-speaker audio system is standard in the Limited and Platinum variants. All but the base LE have an optional rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display.