Yahoo Autos Minor Changes Are a Huge Reason To Look at the Uber-Popular 2025 Toyota Sienna
If you’ve looked at the Toyota Sienna lately, you know this: it’s a great minivan powered by a hybrid motor that gets 35 MPG, has an AWD option (for $2,000) and a huge cabin that seats 8.
You also know it’s not easy to get; wait lists are common and many dealers are asking for markups over MSRP. And even so, the Toyota Sienna is the brand’s fastest selling car; typically each one is sold within six days of arriving at a dealership; the average Toyota sits on the dealership lot for 60 days.
To deliver more cars to more customers, Toyota is increasing production of the Sienna by 20%. And to deliver more delight, they’ve introduced some new features in top-of-the-line models. Here’s what you get in the 2025 Toyota Sienna.
This story is 100% human researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. No AI was used. Additionally, I was Toyota’s guest for this experience but all opinions are my own.
The Same Great Toyota Sienna We know and Love
For 2025, Toyota increased the MSRP by $1,500 (if the enhancements aren’t important to you, you might still find a 2024 model on dealership lots). The price increase adds a new multimedia system and touch screen that’s standard across all trims, a new radar-enhanced rear seat alert system that looks for movement in the cabin when the car is locked and of course, Toyota’s latest driver assist and safety systems.
Then, there are new options and enhancements on upper level trims, including a refrigerator box, a vacuum and more sophisticated interior finishes.
Video: Which is the best minivan? We tour the Toyota Sienna, Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey
A Roomy, Comfortable Minivan
What hasn’t changed is the look and feel of the Toyota Sienna, inside and out. The front end is sculpted for aerodynamics, the rear end is boxy for cargo and passenger headroom. The shape and look of the Toyota Sienna is the iconic minivan image that, like a fuzzy robe or a steamy bowl of soup says ‘its cozy and comfortable in here.’
Read: VW ID Buzz First Drive: This 3-row 7 Passenger *Bus* Means No More Boring Family Cars
New For 2025: Let Your Kids to the Cleaning
Toyota finally added a vacuum to the Sienna, a feature we’ve seen on other minivans for a while now, including the Honda Odyssey and the Chrysler Pacifica. However, unlike those models, Toyota put it front and center in the middle of the cabin, just under the center console. The hose plugs into the bottom of the console and the dust box can be removed for emptying. The hose is stored in a bag that fit in the seat back pocket.
This means that when your kids decide Rice Krispies are a good snack for the car and then realize, not really, they can easily vacuum up the mess while they’re sitting in their seats.
Read: The Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric Minivan: Not Your Mama’s Minivan
An Actual Refrigerator, Not Just a Cool Box
This one is impressive: The top of the center console has “Fridge Box” (in the Platinum edition and available in the Limited edition) that is a cooled metal box rather than a plastic box with air conditioning vents. During our test drive our drinks were really cold and the sides of the fridge box were distinctly cold, like a true refrigerator. The box holds 6 water bottles and is great for snacks, medicines or breast milk.
The Open-Feeling Front Cabin Has Elegant New Touches
Look closely; this is one of my favorite details: Under the dashboard there is a wide narrow shelf that’s ideal for phones. In fact, this is where the wireless phone charger sits. It’s hard to see because it’s so neatly tucked into the dashboard under the leatherette trim and soft-touch surrounds of the console and dash.
Then, the center console is finished in wood trim in our Platinum test model, though other models are finished in gloss black which also lends an elegant feel. While the materials are updated, the design isn’t; this center console and dashboard design was rolled out in the 2021 redesign.
Read: 2021 Honda Odyssey Minivan: A Family-Friendly Bubble of Comfort, Convenience and Safety
Toyota’s New Multimedia System is Now Standard
“Hey Toyota, I’m cold,” is all you have to say to change the temperature in the cabin. Or change the radio station, set navigation or find out what the weather forecast holds. Voice assistance is just the start of this new system, which is found on the 12″ touch screen that is now standard across all Toyota Sienna models.
Not New But Entirely Awesome: The Under Console Storage Spot
Look closely; my large handbag fits underneath. The bag that carries my laptop, camera bag and cosmetic bag and crossbody bag. This cubby is a great place for a storage bin that holds things you need to leave in the car, such as sunscreen and bug spray, and there’s an outlet so you can plug in a phone or tablet. It’s really good.
Isn’t This Interior pretty?
The Platinum model we looked at features a two-tone leather interior throughout. I particularly like this color combination; the light and dark keep the cabin feeling light and elegant. Other models have either cloth seating or leatherette trim, which looks and feels like leather but is less expensive and performs beautifully, in my experience.
Lounge Seating For the Win
This is one way to get your kids to do their summer reading: let them relax in a lounge chair. I’ve known parents who bought these purely for the purpose of bribing one kid to do their homework while the other kid was on the practice field. Big kids who need a bit more pampering will love these too.
Third Row Features Reduce Glare, Heat and Car Sickness
The 3rd row is especially nicely outfitted in the 2025 Toyota Sienna: there air vents, USB ports, cup holders, volume dials for headphones that connect to the entertainment screen and these sunshades that can be pulled up to block the glare. There’s nothing like the flickering light from a low sun to cause you to feel car sick, and this will help with that.
Toyota Still Has a Rear Seat Entertainment System
Many car makers have abandoned this idea, finding that many customers prefer to bring their own tablets or screens. But Toyota gives you the option, and for parents who want to control what’s being watched, this is a really nice option ($1,415 extra).
3rd Row Access is Really Easy
We love this about minivans: the sliding doors mean access to the 3rd row is really easy. The center row seats slide and tilt forward even with a forward facing car seat installed. And the height of the cabin roof is pretty nice; I could stand with my legs straight an bend from the waist in the cabin, which made it easy to get in and out.
Bring All the Things. There’s Room
This might be what we love the most about a minivan: The cargo well. This is a great option for strollers and totes, or, organize things in bins. Do keep in mind that the seats fold into the cargo well for extra space, but that’s the price of having all those extra seats.
The last redesign of the Toyota Sienna really put this minivan over the top, adding hybrid power and the option of AWD. And while the changes for 2025 are minimal, they keep the Sienna at the top of the wish list once.
More must-reads:
