1st place: 2013 Toyota Sienna, by Greg Wilson
   2013 Toyota Sienna. Click image to enlarge |
When we first added up the raw scores, the Odyssey was in first place, followed closely by the surprisingly likable Quest, and then the Sienna. But after adjusting for our price factor, the Sienna took first just ahead of the Odyssey, relegating the pricey Quest to third.
Odyssey and Quest enthusiasts may feel cheated, but value for money is a key purchasing factor for young families (the majority buyers of minivans) and we think our weighting for price is appropriate in this class. With an as-tested price of $34,640 after Freight and PDI, the 2013 Sienna LE V6 is some $14,000 cheaper than the Odyssey Touring model and over $16,000 less than the Quest SE. You could buy another car with the difference! Would a pricier Sienna have pulled out the win? Or a more economical Odyssey still endear itself to our judges? Would you like to see a rematch with equally priced Sienna and Odyssey? Let us know in the comments.
True, the Sienna LE V6 isn’t as well equipped as the Odyssey Touring and Quest SE, but its standard equipment list included most things minivan buyers are looking for: a powerful V6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission, removable second-row captain’s chairs with a removable centre seat (bringing total seating capacity to eight); power sliding rear doors with remote key-fob activation; front and rear climate controls; wireless Bluetooth phone and audio streaming; satellite radio; rearview camera; remote keyless entry, power locks and power windows, and seven airbags.
Despite rather pedestrian dash plastics and plain interior styling, the Sienna impressed us with its roomy cabin, low step-in height and extra wide rear sliding doors. The standard cloth front captain’s chairs are comfy and well positioned and the second row captain’s chairs offer particularly generous legroom, although some reviewers didn’t like the inclined angle of the seat cushions. As well as being removable, the second-row chairs slide fore and aft and feature a folding ‘clamshell’ design that allows easy access to the third row. The third row seats proved to be the most comfortable of all the minivan seats we tested. As well, the Sienna proved the easiest van in which to install our child seat in the second and third rows.
   2013 Toyota Sienna. Click image to enlarge |
Cargo space behind the split third row seats is spacious and the rear seats tumble easily under the floor. The rear hatch opening is huge yet the liftgate is surprisingly light.
Behind the wheel, the Sienna LE V6 impressed us with its easy-to-drive manner, solid handling, comfortable ride, easy steering, and surprising maneuverability – especially for such a big, imposing vehicle. Its powerful 266-hp V6 engine has no trouble moving the Sienna out of harm’s way – although some testers thought the initial throttle tip-in was too sensitive. Its six-speed automatic transmission delivers seamless shifts.
Our observed fuel economy of 13.6 L/100 km was mid-pack for the day, but a more accurate estimate is the EPA combined rating of 11.2 L/100 km.
Though it’s not the most luxurious, quietest, or finely crafted minivan in our test, the Sienna LE V6 holds the middle ground in most respects without any major faults that could turn off potential buyers. The clincher is its relatively affordable price, $34,640 destination in, a very good price for a V6-powered, eight-passenger Toyota minivan.
Pricing: 2013 Toyota Sienna LE V6
Base Price (LE V6): $32,905
Options: none
Freight: $1,635
A/C Tax: $100
Price as tested: $34,640
