2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid AWD Reviewed and Off-Road Trail Test (Sorry, not sorry.)
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- Опубліковано 30 лип 2024
- For 2021 Toyota has upgraded the interior and capability of the popular Sienna Hybrid AWD minivan. Is it good enough to forget about the Honda Odyssey and Chrysler Pacifica? Then there's the all-wheel drive, just how good is it? We take it on an unusual test (for a minivan) to find out!
CONTENTS
0:00 - Introduction
0:33 - Features
14:04 - Driving Impressions (and 0-60)
19:42 - Off-Road Trail Test
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The “eCVT” is not a CVT at all. Has almost nothing to do with a normal CVT because it is a planetary gear set. Much less moving parts and much more reliable than a CVT. The power delivery is much more linear on the eCVT than a CVT. However, you still get a decent amount of engine noise. If you don’t mind the engine noise, Toyota’s eCVT is an extremely good transmission and one of the most reliable ever made.
Its an eVT
So is it a ecvt or etv becuase every vehicle I’ve looked at the last two months at Toyota has ecvt written on the window sticker
@@americandude3825 eCVT. Only hybrids have an eCVT. The regular ICE cars have either CVT or traditional transmissions or dual clutch.
And that 40% efficient Atkinson cycle engine .. love it
CVT stands for continuously variable transmission. The eCVT, no matter the design, is a CVT because it doesn't shift in steps/speed like traditional transmission manual or auto. Yes, normal CVT, the one that uses a belt connecting 2 cones shape, has bad rep for reliability. That's why Toyota wants to clearify that theirs CVTs using in hybrids are different, eCVT. Note that Toyota do use the regular design CVTs in their non hybrid models too.
just watched the TFL folks drag racing the Sienna vs Odyssey and now I am watching someone taking a Sienna off-road. 21st century van shopping for a dad of 2
What did you go with? Any regrets?
Not gonna lie, this van is on my radar. This off-road review is just icing on the cake and an unexpected surprise (thank you). I don't have kids, I really just want a cargo mover for outdoor activities/camping with potential for 7 passengers in the city and all the crossovers are underwhelming for the price when you compare pound for pound what this van can do, comfort for 7 adults/cargo size + fuel efficiency. I won't be hauling plywood or dry wall, so the non-removable 2nd row doesn't affect me.
This Sienna AWD off road test is what I was looking for a long time and finally there is. Thanks!
Of course we want to see it going off road, that's why we clicked on this video. Nice review thanks!
Ryan getting excited about the off-roading capabilities of this minivan 🤣. I actually can’t wait to see the Woodland edition now.
Keep in mind Toyota's hybrid "CVT" isn't the belt/chain kind of CVT. I think it's a misnomer to even call it CVT but whatever. The main electric drive motor (or motors w/AWD) are direct drive to the wheels. Google it. The gas engine can vary it's RPM based on power demand so yes you get the noise of the engine at a steady RPM but not the fragility of (some) of the belt/chain style ones. Also the engine redline tends to be lower, I think the Rav4 hybrid is like 4500 RPM so it's never "that bad". I suspect everyone who gets Toyota hybrid gets over it pretty quick.
after 2 years of ownership I can vouch that it was never that intrusive
I believe the new Ford Maverick has a similar style CVT. Beltless, anyway.
Yes, it's a eCVT (bad name IMO) and I'm tired of hearing reviews calling it a CVT
I think it also has a first physical gear.
@@alanmay7929 the Toyota Hybrid eCVT does not have a physical first gear.
Soooo glade you have done the off road test to show how the E-AWD perform in real life driving. Look forward to the WoodLand review in the future. well done.
That is pretty damn impressive for a "road-going" minivan AND hybrid!
Indeed.
Same E-AWD 8n my 2019 RAV4 hybrid XSE. I do a lot of camping in the bushes and am thoroughly impressed! Factory all seasons are no good offroad as expected. Once they wore out bought Falken Wildpeak AT Trail tires (come on RAV4 Trail/Adventure models) and wow gravel/offroads now sooo much better while adding a smoother ride (especially over potholes, uneven pavement). Handling worse as expected but overall improvement by far (and very minimal tire noise).
Great review! Felt thorough, honest and unbiased. I loved the pic of the right front wheel in the air! That position has been a failure point in a lot of AWD systems. I was surprised it got enough power to the rear wheels to get itself unstuck. The only sticking question in my mind is could the van still pull off that trick with 1200 pounds of family and cargo onboard?
My first thought at 20:00 when you dismissed the more reasonable of us and said that you were taking the minivan off road was "OK, folks Schadenfreude time." I have to admit, though, that watching a hybrid minivan hang a wheel as it climbs a rocky ascent and then keep going with minimal drama was pretty impressive.
Did pretty good considering it has the ground clearance of a camry, next lets see an AWD camry off road test.
🤣
Dear god in heaven PLEASE let this be the start of something new with minivans🙏 I mean, a half an inch of lift isnt much, but it's at least a start- and with all wheel drive and a hybrid powertrain that yields mpg in the mid thirties, I'm real happy- but I'd LOVE to see some INTENTIONALLY rugged minivans start being designed from the FACTORY to appeal to something more than just the soccer mom segment. I've got a 27 year old all wheel drive high top chevy astro that I lifted and put on all terrains, and that thing does pretty decent offroad for something that wasn't designed to do it- and I actually get compliments on it all the time and even people offering to BUY it from me!Imagine if a few manufacturers actually started TRYING to make minivans a little more rugged and appealing? Nothing too crazy, just maybe some decent styling for a change and a little more than 7 inches of ground clearance... maybe 8 and a half? Or... dare I say it... 9?! *gasp*😬
I get it- long wheel bases make for crappy break over angles, but hell- the astro wheel base ain't crazy long, but somehow it seats 8! I'd LOVE to see something like that and with a hybrid powertrain!
Come on car makers-There is ABSOLUTELY a market for it! Please make it happen🤞
This is beyond expectations. Can't believe the Sienna claimed that trail with relative ease
I have a 2WD 2016 sienna and got caught in couple of pretty bad blizzards driving in Utah. I thought we would be in pretty bad shape but surprisingly it handled it pretty well and we made it without any problems.
@@LetmeTellyou11 did you guys do
You don't need a TRX for every hill...
I think the squishy tires and torque from the electric motors made a big difference.
@@garrettw99 A V6 minivan wouldn't have had a problem either. Toyota just doesn't offer that anymore sadly.
Thanks for the hill climb. This kind of thing was exactly what I wanted to see so thumbs-up!
Great realistic and only video test I've ever seen of the Toyota Sienna!
I live in the rocky mountain area and the number of mini vans I see parked miles up crappy roads is pretty crazy. People expect a lot of these things.
Go to Africa and see what they can do with a Corolla!
@@Atomb I am interesting to know. Do you mind to share some of it here?
@@superlight47 I spent time in Cameroon and went into villages that were miles and miles off any paved/graded road. There were tons of Corollas in places most North American's wouldn't take their pick up. The city of Douala had pot holes bigger than cars and it was a torture test for any vehicle. Tons of old Toyotas there. I took very few pictures there as having an $1000 camera hanging off your neck wasn't wise.
@@Atomb very interesting experience.
@@Atomb my uncle has a tiny Suzuki hatchback (FWD) at his cottage off some island in Greece where it is rocky/gravel roads on incline off the main streets (literally look like the ones in this video). I was amazed what he can do with that vehicle off-road. I came to realize, off-road is as much about the lightness of your vehicle than the drive-train's capabilities. This van is truly remarkable considering it is super heavy.
Is it just me, or did this actually perform BETTER offroad than the rav4 hybrid did?!👀👀👀
VERY impressive
Makes sense as its electric motors are more powerful!
I wonder how it would compare to the highlander hybrid
@@TheBMurda Betting the extra 3/4 ton of weight helps a bit more than the electric, but torque is definitely your friend!!!
This minivan should not be taken off-road.
That is why I am so happy that you've done it! :)
Definitely want this even more now. Supposedly, the lifted version has more offroad tricks than just having better ground clearance
You can purchase a 2" or 3" lift kit for the base model, no need to upgrade to the woodland which runs you wayyyy more money.
I honestly was thinking that it could have made it up, but with LOTS of struggle. And I was SO wrong. I am super impressed. Good job Toyota! The reason that you said you did this was actually a pretty good reason.
LOL, the search engine is so slow it is like watching the grass grows... Every time, I watch the Sienna's review, I never stop wishing they offer a V6 :). Great review as always, I really enjoy watching your videos.
Finally honest review! Every “tester” talking only how good it is
I've been waiting for you guys to review one of these!!!
Very well done, good to see a wide variety of testing performed in your channel, good job
Just here to compliment the shirt. Plus I may be buying a van in the future so this is informative. Thank you sir!
This man will take anything and everything off-road 😂 tricycle off-road test, toy car off-road test, smart car off-road test 😂 love it
Thumbs up. My only suggestion would be that when reviewing family cars like this do a test with all seats full of people in town and on the highway to see how passengers experience is.
I already have my AWD Sienna Platinum on order, but I'm so glad you made this video. I'm looking forward to some light off-road camping with the family and this definitely put me at a little more ease about it. Maybe we'll be able to go more places than I previously thought.
Just got my 21 Sienna last week. Throwing a 3" lift on it in 2 weeks, can't wait! Definitely not planning to climb rocks, but don't want to worry about scraping on dirt roads on blm land.
@@tony7044 I saw the 3" lift from journeys off-road, I definitely want to do that eventually, it's too inexpensive not to do that.
@@tylernewberry1848 Exactly! Getting mine installed by journeys at their shop. Can't wait! Van will look so much better afterwards, too 😂
How long is the wait?
This was the perfect review of the "off road" AWD capability. I took my family of 6 on a road trip through national parks (Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, S. Dakota, Oklahoma, S. Carolina etc.) on our FWD 2001 Honda Odyssey. We went on a few dirt unpaved mountain trails and did fine. I will be upgrading in the near future and was impressed by the Sienna's 35/36 MPG (vs ~22-24 mpgs from the competitors) and AWD capability. That mpg makes a huge difference when you are traveling on a 5,000+ mile road trip. Having AWD will also bring better traction control. Can't wait to see the woodland version with more height.
If you do long drives and have to drive a Japanese car, Honda's seats are much better than Toyota. Take it from me as we own 4 Toyotas (all Limited), one 2020 Honda CRV EX and the family favorite 2016 Volvo XC60 which is my favorite for long vacations. No one makes a better seat in the world than Volvo.
If you're only getting 22-24 on your trips with the Odyssey, you aren't going to get 35-36 with the Sienna.
@@meenam300zx Our Town and Country is weird. When you first get in it doesn't seem very comfortable. The driving position feels kind of awkward and the legroom isn't great. But I've driven it to both sides of the country and over those kind of multi day trips it's the most comfortable vehicle I've ever driven. After 10 years of faithful service it's time to replace it and although I do like the new Pacifica the combination of AWD and Hybrid is hard to beat.
this is an important but yet crazy test for a minivan
very nice and thanks.
I just bought this car LE version and absolutely love it! I drove from San Jose to LA 360 miles and still has 300 miles left! that's insane! you can easily drive 650 miles with 18 gallons . The base model is loaded with tech futures like android/apple carplay , line assist and adaptive cruise control. Great video btw.
Klopp needs to start endorsing Siennas instead of those stupid Opels!!
Is it AWD?
@@hrnkrks1 no
Toyotas are great if you don't mind the uncomfortable seats.
I do the same trip with my Volvo XC60 once a month and I can drive for 8 hours straight and walk out with no issues.
If I drive my Wife's 2020 Avalon Limited, or my son's 2019 Highlander Limited for 4 hours, I have to visit a chiropractor.
Surprisingly, my daughter's CRV has a much better seat than Toyota but lesser quality compared to Volvo.
Great video! I have had my 2021 Sienna for 6 months and have already placed 15,000 miles on it! I am pleased with the performance, but the noise from the engine in acceleration does suck. Otherwise, great vehicle. I use the sienna for deliveries and do a lot of city driving. I have averaged 40-41 MPG! 😁😁😁 Again, great... honest.... and on point review.
Any regrets with the sienna so far? I'm debating between it and the Odyssey.
@@mnelson505 Did you decided which one to buy? I'm thinking what if there will be a 2023 Sienna AWD Prime Hybrid (meaning first 50 miles on pure electric like a prius?)
Thank you for taking this on a trail!
Just to support you, I watched whole video with ads because you drove your car on tough pavement and thought u got got some little damage. I am also putting this comment to support you,mate.
This was very enjoyable to watch
Cool video! Very informative. Thanks!
Excellent off road test, really appreciate that
I have been looking forward to this video since you took the photo of the Sienna on rocks! Thank you. I wonder what downhill would have been like if you use the adaptive cruise control and set it to 5 mph.
Like to see that sidewall on a new car, looks a little out of place these days but so much better for everyday driving…and off-road
Excellent video, very complete, thanks a lot. The Toyota Sienna for me win for comfortable, all wheel drive and economy without be bassic.
🙏🏼👍🏼Thanks again for share.
I recently bought one! Just an amazing vehicle 🚗 the best I have ever owned. Toyota really nailed it.
I plan on buying this exact van and doing a light conversion to make it into an adventure/camping van. There is a 2” and 3” lift available for the van which after watching this video I think the 2” is fine. Thanks for the detailed review. I live in the same town.
Amazing video. Answered all my questions about the AWD and whether or not it’s worth it.
Been watching your videos for more than 10 years, Ryan. Been very impressed by your detailed review, tests you conduct, quality of videos, and the pace. Coincidentally I am working to move my family to Seattle. I hope I can see you live taping your reviews.
like the way you testing the AWD. other car reviews never leave the pavement.
actually I did this before used my 17 sienna 2WD. It made it. so happy to have one.
Driving cross country with the Mrs. For a retirement journey. Can’t imagine a better vehicle for this. Love this….
You may a well admit it Ryan, between Caffe Ladro and an AWD Toyota Sienna hybrid that made the hill climb . . . Life is Good! 👍
This was fun to watch. We took ours on a 5000 mile camping trip with 2 teenage girls and all of their crap and tested the awd going on “not maintained for passenger vehicles” roads up the side of Humphrey peak in Arizona and up Red Grade into the Bighorn wilderness in Wyoming All of that and many miles over 100mph in Montana to make me and the oldest happy, and I still averaged 35mpg for the entire trip. We love this van!
Awsome, thanks for showing people what we want to see.
Ur a champ! Who else would take a sienna off road. Great review!
You know what? Im impressed. Toyota seems to have stepped up their game in terms of programing their hybrid AWD.
Yeah i saw a highlander hybrid test a few years ago and it look pretty miserable.
I know I'm late to comment but this is the most fascinating video I've watched on UA-cam in many moons.
It makes me wonder what would happen if I hooned an AWD Sienna around a skidpad.
You missed two of the best features-super slide second row seats that allow 6’5”+ folks to fit easily and a 1500w plug in the back that uses the hybrid battery to power almost anything you can throw at it.
I think the 1500W plug is only an option on top, platinum trim.
@@edwardzdankiewicz9068 Not sure if this is the case everywhere, but in Canada it’s in the Technology package which you can start adding in the XSE level.
He did slide the 2nd row far and said you can adjust it forward 2 a confirms position 4 middle and rear folks
@@occckid123 Awesome. I definitely missed that but am glad he included it. I’m 6’6”, my wife’s 6’ and my kids are both going to be taller than us. It’s an important feature for us.
@@edwardzdankiewicz9068 I am in Virginia and bought 2021 Sienna XLE and it has the power inverter. 1 in the trunk and 1 in the moddle
I’ve had my Sienna for a little over a year now and this review is pretty spot on! Even down to the annoying rear entertainment system…still haven’t been able to figure it out lol But overall, great vehicle!
I'm glad you showed the off road test as all of us Prius owners who camp off road in FWD models (some w/a lift kit) dream of a hybrid Sienna; Carvana has a used XLE one with 12K miles for $49,000 right now. Their prices are HIGH! I would change the tires and I can't wait to see the Woodland edition either but it's no Jeep. Great to sleep in a climate controlled hybrid car that's easy on gas.
Oh lord those breakover and departure angles though. Seems like it could have a rough time even in some urban environments. Great video!
Ya, and the low plastic front "bumper" is about as strong as paper. Never mind scraping my rear 2" trailer hitch. But overall here in Vermont the Sienna AWD are very popular, especially for those on steep driveways and/or dirt driveways/roads. My 2015 FWD LE from Carvana does great in the winter with Michelin X-Ice tires. 18mpg in town bugs me, but the silky six-cylinder is amazingly quiet and tows great. I'd love a Woodland edition PHEV if Toyota ever makes one. Or maybe someday an AWD ID Buzz if they review well after a few years.
Huh. Now I want to see the lifted version…not too shabby.
Fantastic video! Thanks!
Yay, I've been waiting for this!! Who is the person driving by with sunglasses at 17:04, because it does not look like you Ryan
you did it up hill so I don't have to, but now I know can do if needed. Thank you!
SO looking forward to the Woodland version, and that's the one I will get after your review obviously.
insane review. informative and a little entertaining.
Great review !!!
Awesome video you made.
Great job man, you earned one subscript from me because i was alway wondering how the 21’ Sienna AWD handle off-road? I am glad that i made a decision on my purchase of 21” Sienna AWD limited
Mind blown.. I thought it fail the climb.. Let's Go Places!
I have a 2011 sienna XLE AWD that has the 3.5 inch Journey's offroad lift on it. 2 things to expect after the 13 hour install. 1 the change in permanent new position of rear drive shaft drive shaft results in a more advanced failure of the 800 dollar driveshaft and 2. you will get that somewhat common lifted suv phenomenon from front cv shafts causing some very subtle vibration only at take off speed, 0 to 15 mph ish. Which seems to have decreased as the new orientation has worn them it to that position. Other than that im happy with my non hybrid Sienna, that is now a light duty overlander. Cheers
Awesome Review as usual! as for 11:50 , the reason you can see options on the display like the climate control and others is a redundancy feature mostly in case the physical buttons broke/fail or stop working you can still control everything from the screen as a backup.As for the steering wheels, yes, TOYOTA has the worst steering wheels of all vehicles.Even though it is leather, it feels like plastic and not too firm to grip (speaking as an owner of a 4runner 2021 offroad premium.I had a ex 2021 Jeep wrangler unlimited sport S and i wish all steering wheels felt the same!)
Excellent video. Thanks for the offroading. Do you think XSE would have performed slightly better?
Just started the video but excited to see how well the awd actually works being electric assist
This hybrid system (2.5 liter) is considered one of the best system on the market! And its transmission is the most reliable. I don’t understand why he mentioned it makes engine noise all the time. Like when you step on the gas? It only does that when you step on it which is 10% of the time. But you’d get the best MPG 100% of the time though
Im glad you did this. I need a vehicle with a lot of space for kids, able to go on adventures and has good gas milage since it will be our only vehicle.
Dude! I love that you did that. Don't apologize for doing cool shit.
We bought one about 6 weeks ago (after waiting a couple months for it to be built). The mileage is important on long drives, but Midwest winter snows on gravel roads made AWD the clincher.
How has your sienna proven this winter?
@@CmanCorporations Excellent. I drove into Chicago yesterday after freezing rain and sleet. The first several miles were on country and secondary roads, with hills. The Sienna had no issues.
One of our neighbors just got one of those and they love it I kinda wish the styling had remained a bit more normal, but it's still better than the Honda. Great everyday people/stuff mover.
New car equipped with AWD
Driving sports TV : aight, Imma take this bad boy off-roading
That's true.
This is awesome. We got our van in April of this year, I am more worried about snow. I'd like to see you do a drive on snow challenge if possible. I had a Honda Pilot last, didn't need winter tires or anything like that. Even parked on ICE and got on and off well. I wouldn't expect it to go as well here but I'd like to know :D Thanks for the video!
works fine in the winter. I would get snow tires anyways as they help you stop better in the cold. I have driven my 2021 sienna thru 2 MN winters, plenty of blizzards and snowstorms with over 1 foot of fresh snow on unplowed highways and it did just fine, with snow tires. it is a heavy van, coming in at 4700 pounds empty in the LE AWD trim with the mid row seats removed. would be about 4800 with the mid row seats in it.
Would love to see the Pacifica AWD on some of your dirt road areas.
Love your videos, can you please test out a 2022 Honda Pilot touring
To replace my 2005 Sienna still runs great at 325K miles without any major repairs I got the 4th generation Sienna hybrid and very impressed with its handsome style, great MPG, safety features (Toyota Safety Sense), and seamlessly hybrid system make city driving a pleasure experience, although I wish Toyota had kept the seats and seat fabrics same as the older 2005 model.
I'll go crazy with that navigation
Just got this van. Wife loves it
thank God i already swap my odyssey to 2022 sienna i love it!!
This minivan has seen more off-road then most crossover suvs
Crossovers larger than a Rav4 are so pointless, its really a vanity vehicle. Either get this for cargo/passengers or a 4runner if you're doing off-road. Cross overs do neither.
And some trucks 😂
@@civicsi411 I disagree I see more trucks off-road than most suvs, infact every truck I see is either towing trailers or hauling heavy payload in the back,every time it’s snows it’s always a truck I see plowing the snow, I don’t see suvs doing that hard work, suvs are the new minivans because all I see them do is haul kids, trucks however are different, most trucks I see are either towing trailers or hauling heavy payload, I don’t know where everyone is seeing trucks as “pavement princess” when most of the time it’s suvs that never touch dirt, I have to admit I’ve seen some trucks that are lifted with skinny tires but that’s so rare because most of the time I see trucks are being abused, I rarely see an suv being used for towing
Journeys Off-Road makes a 3-inch lift kit for this 2021 Sienna hybrid. I will definitely be lifting mine!
Thanks, that's all I needed@
I live in Baja Mexico and drive my 2021 Sienna on dirt roads daily. I wish that you would do a sand and beach testing.
So good and I love that color
I hope Toyota don’t watch UA-cam! That’s why you are the best👍🏼👍🏼(Carnival next)
Nice! This could be the new darling for all those hash tag vanlife UA-cam vloggers. Me? I don't need a van but that F-150 hybrid 4x4 with the 7.2kw built in 30 amp camper connection would be the ticket
Are yall able to review the 2022 Volvo V60 Cross Country, maybe comparing to other AWD wagon/hatch contenders ?
No way, he actually listened to the comments saying "do it with the sienna", and he did it!
I am such a city guy, when he said trail I thought a dirt trail. hahaha!!!
I tried to take a Corolla to a trailhead. It got pretty sketchy and I'm surprised how far it got before I got too scared. Baby-head rocks were tumbling down with me as I descended.
Thank you for doing this! For years I've toyed with the idea of buying and lifting a Sienna AWD to take my family off road. I wouldn't do it with a new one, but I've been curious to see if the hybrid AWD system would work off road. It seemed to work well!
I camp all the time in mine. Front wheel drive only. It has been down some crazy roads. Slower than a Taco, but it can handle some stuff.
There is a toyota dealership in Oregon that does a lift package for Sienna's. It's on UA-cam somewhere.
I wonder why Toyota decided to give this such low ground clearance, especially with that long wheelbase. I have a '21 Sienna and opted for an aftermarket 3" lift. No more scraping the nose or tail on modest hill approaches, doors don't hit the curb when swung open, and it just looks so much better. I'm very happy with it sitting higher and still getting 34 mpg.
My older Sienna with heavy duty 16" tires was great on roads like this. Just had to watch out for the rocks getting mule kicked out from the treads.
Would love to see an updated review on the new (2022) hybrid chrysler pacific now that it has had a major update.
Man, I wish I knew about the Woodland version before I bought my 2021 Sienna XSE.