This past week I had the pleasure of taking the 2022 Toyota Sienna Limited on a serious road trip test. Thanks to the team at Toyota, I was able to drive the Sienna from Phoenix to Lake Tahoe, a 1,476 mile round trip adventure through desert and mountain terrain. We even had to cross a washed out road with a stream of water running across the road.
We had an all ages and lifestyles cast for this review from a 3 year old to 70+ and our special needs , wheelchair bound young adult. I will say most my life I have had a bias against minivans and the like but this road trip changed my mind.
The Toyota Sienna was the most comfortable vehicle I have driven on a long road trip. I did not experience the fatigue and hip/leg issues that come along with a 12 hour+ (one way) drive. The rear seats are extremely comfortable and fit all types of passengers. There is a foot rest and they fully recline into a lying position. We started out in the normal summer heat of Phoenix which was a balmy 110+ the day we left. The climate control system makes it easy to control the rear AC. The positions of the vents cool the vehicle fast and efficiently.
Night time driving was also something that I noticed the Sienna does really well. This feature is on a lot of vehicles but I feel like Toyota does really well with the automatic light adjustments. I didn’t realize what a relief it is to not have to flick the brights on and off while driving through mountain terrain at night. This feature alone saved me energy, especially after a full day of paddle boarding on the lake.
The storage space is even more than you would expect from a typical van scenario. We especially noticed all the storage space in the front of the van. We needed it for snacks, beverages, electronics and a very large purse and backpack. All of this fit nicely without having to interrupt my co-pilot’s leg space which happens frequently with our vehicles.
The 2022 Toyota Sienna Limited has the looks too. I mentioned before I wasn’t into minivans before this road trip and that is mostly because of the exterior body shape. The Sienna really looks like an SUV and the only thing that gives it away are the side doors.
Gas was at an all time high when we started this journey. My initial projections on this road trip was about $500 round trip (based on an average 18MPG which is what my Jeep averages). We spent $240 in gas and averaged 36 MPG which was surprising to me because I did not baby the accelerator at all. I had no problem accelerating while going uphill in mountain terrain and drove it like gas was $2.50 per gallon instead of $5.00 +. The performance aspects plus gas mileage really sealed the deal for my opinion on the Toyota Sienna as one of the best all around road trip vehicles and also a daily driver.
Here are some of the details of what you get with the 2022 Toyota Sienna.
Toyota re-imagined the fourth-generation Sienna, assembled in the U.S. to support a wider array of life stages and activities than the typical minivan. That included answering the call for more luxury, multimedia and outdoors-amenable features.Toyota continues with the fourth generation design and styling which appears much more like an SUV than a minivan.
My test vehicle came with the optional 18 inch wheels and paired with the beautiful blue exterior (Blueprint) makes it have a lot of curb appeal.
Interior:
As mentioned, The interior of the 2022 Toyota Sienna Hybrid Limited is quite spacious, with a lot of leg space on every seat. You notice the extra storage for all your bags and devices.
The seats are comfortable and made from SofTex synthetic materials.
There is a four-zone automatic climate control system with air filter, individual temperature settings for driver, front passenger and rear-seat passengers, and separate rear digital control panel that cool and heat the vehicle fast and efficiently.
The camera system makes parking and backing up really easy. If you have problems driving in reverse , parallel parking or staying between the lines when you park then you will love the Bird’s Eye View Camera which includes Perimeter Scan, 360-degree Overhead View and Integrated backup camera.
The Infotainment system is 9-in. touchscreen, six speakers, Android Auto™ * & Apple CarPlay® * & Amazon Alexa compatible, one USB media port, * 6 USB charge ports 12 JBL® * speakers including subwoofer and amplifier. The sound system is phenomenal and the Sienna has really good acoustics.
The rear had the optional upgraded 1080p HD Entertainment Center with 11.6-in. display, HDMI inputs, remote and two wireless headphones which is totally worth considering the extra $1,415.
Engine/Power-train
The 2022 Toyota Sienna comes standard with a Hybrid—2.5-Liter with Double Overhead Cam (DOHC), 16-Valve, D-4S Injection and Dual VVT-i coupled with an Electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (ECVT) with sequential shift mode that gives you 245 net hp.
There are 4 drive modes, Normal, Eco, EV, and Sport mode. The acceleration is smooth and even in Eco mode it has enough power to accelerate up steep mountain grades and move in and out of traffic. It is a noticeable power upgrade when you go into Sport mode.
Safety
Toyota wins awards every year for safety and has helped the entire automotive industry with its safety innovations. The Sienna has what Toyota calls the Star Safety System which includes Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), * Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) * and Smart Stop Technology® (SST).
The Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) * and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) * with Rear Cross-Traffic Braking (RCTB) is also standard. It helps when someone is in your blindspot to see the lights on your side mirrors. As we all have those annoying drivers that hang out in your blind spots.
Conclusion:
The 2022 Toyota Sienna Limited performed really well on my 8 day road trip to Lake Tahoe. The Sienna has traditionally been an overall great choice for families but it is also a great choice for anyone wanting more space and a really comfortable vehicle for road trips, It also makes for a great daily driver at an average of 36 MPG. I can’t wait for my next road trip with a Toyota Sienna!
My Test Vehicle came in at an MSRP of $49,930 with added options. You can get in a Toyota Sienna today starting at $35,280. Follow the link below for all things Toyota Sienna as follows:
