The overhauled 2021 Toyota Sienna debuted recently with a ton of family-friendly features and a wild new look inspired by Japanese bullet trains. With styling cues from the Avalon, Camry, and even the GR Supra, Toyota has taken an aggressive approach to shaking up the minivan segment. Not only does the new Sienna come standard as a hybrid, but all-wheel drive is also available – and those great features are only the tip of the iceberg.
Here are seven unique features found in the new 2021 Toyota Sienna that you won’t see in any SUV.
Fridge/Freezer
The snacking options for road trips has just increased dramatically. Most vehicles that offer a fridge actually just have an air-conditioned glovebox, so it never actually gets cold enough to keep something cool. The fridge in the new Sienna has a condenser, so it’s like a real fridge and even has a freezer mode, allowing you to pack ice cream for the road. The fridge is only large enough to fit six cans of pop or La Croix or whatever you prefer to drink in 500 mL cans, but two pints of Ben & Jerry’s should also be able to slide in there. The fridge/freezer is only available on the top trim Platinum model, however.
Easy-Stowing Third Row, Tons of Cargo Room
Remember the days of struggling to lift the entire third row out of the minivan to make room for storage? Those days are long gone, and the third row in the new Sienna is so easy to store, that even a child could do it with one hand. In one simple motion, the third row tumbles almost completely flat into the deep well in the trunk floor, using a very simple lever to create a large storage space. Flaps can then be deployed to protect the headrests and make it easier to slide things in.
The hybrid batteries are also stored under the seats, so it doesn’t impact cargo capacity, and the spare tire is smartly hidden in the wall of the trunk.
Sliding Second Row
The heated captain’s chairs can slide back 25 inches, nearly all the way to the third row, to give the second row passengers more legroom, kind of like when we were kids, parents took out the second row to turn the back of the van into a mobile living room. Top-trim Platinum models even come with a footrest/ottoman for maximum lounging comfort.
Kick-Operated Power Doors and Lift Gate
Any parent knows how useful hands-free doors are when they are wrangling little monsters and all their stuff. But instead of leaving you wagging your foot in a random spot and doing a little dance, the Sienna clearly marks where the kick-activated sensor is located, making it much more convenient and user-friendly to operate.
Rear-View Camera Washer
We all know how difficult it can be to park in the winter when the reverse camera is covered in snow or salt, but the Sienna has a washer nozzle aimed at the cameras (both the reverse camera and the rear-view mirror camera) so the view is never obstructed.
Low Forecast Fuel Consumption
The 2021 Toyota Sienna is exclusively a hybrid, which means stellar fuel economy. The Sienna is expected to get 7.1 L/100 km combined, which is incredible considering how huge it is. That fuel economy is better than some compact cars.
Vacuum Cleaner
It’s not a new thing for minivans to come with a built-in vacuum cleaner, but the one in the Sienna is plugged into the console in front of the second row, which makes more sense than putting it in the trunk because the cabin is where the biggest messes are made.
Other Great Features
Because there is so much more to go through, here are a few other noteworthy features available in the new 2021 Toyota Sienna:
- Two more airbags than the outgoing model for a total of 10
- 9-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 10-inch head-up display
- Digital rear-view mirror
- Seven USB ports, including some USB-C jacks
- Up to 18 cupholders
- Standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite of driver assistance and safety technology including blind spot monitoring
- Tow rating of 3,500 lb
- Four-zone climate control
- 120-volt power outlet
- Generous storage cubbies throughout
- 360-degree top-down parking camera
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