Lo and behold, the Toyota Sienna is now the grizzled veteran on the Toyota roster of products. Its last real revision dates all the way back to late 2010. To keep the model current Toyota has had to make a lot of revisions year after year while competitors present younger and more up-to-date minivans.
While we await the next-generation Sienna, which should come our way in 2019 as a 2020 model, the Japanese automaker is tweaking the current one here and there in order to convince consumers the Sienna is as contemporary as its rivals.
As far that it goes, it actually is quite relevant in two important respects: it is very reliable, and it comes with all-wheel drive - the only one in its segment to do so.
For 2019, the roughly mid-range SE version will come with all-wheel drive. Mechanically, the minivan runs on the same 296-hp 3.5L V6 as before. Howver, the all-wheel-drive-equipped XLE and Limited versions will now be available with a Towing package that boosts pulling capacity to 3,500 lbs.
In terms of safety, all Sienna models come with the Toyota Safety Sense P suite of systems, which includes the Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Automatic High Beams and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. The SE version includes standard blind sport monitor with rear transversal traffic alert, previously only offered with the optional Technology package.
Also now standard is the Apple CarPlay application included with the vehicle’s multimedia system. Android users will have to wait however, as Toyota as yet to finalize an agreement with Google.
In short, the Sienna is offering some welcome and needed adjustments as it nears the end of its lifetime in its current form. The 2019 Toyota Sienna is available now at brand dealerships across Canada.
The pricing
2019 Sienna (7-passenger) - $35,145
2019 Sienna LE (8-passenger) - $38,550
2019 Sienna SE (8-passenger) - $42,545
2019 Sienna LE AWD (7-passenger) - $41,350
2019 Sienna SE AWD (7-passenger) - $51,220
2019 Sienna XLE AWD (7-passenger) - $46,785
2019 Sienna XLE AWD Limited (7-passenger) - $53,985