2016 Toyota Sienna
New for 2016
For 2016, the Toyota Sienna gets Siri Eyes Free functionality for use with Apple iPhones, while certain models get the Scout GPS Link app, which displays smartphone navigation on the central display.
Bring your Swag
Minivans are a hard sell these days, but the 2016 Toyota Sienna proves they don’t have to be a penalty box. Its exterior and interior styling rebut the common stereotype of the boring family hauler, and there’s plenty of up-to-date tech to make managing a van-load of kids a little easier. With seating for up to eight, the Sienna also excels at its real mission: hauling passengers and gear.
Powertrain and Performance
The motivation for this family hauler comes from a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 266 horsepower and 245 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired with a six-speed automatic and either front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive.
That’s plenty of power to move the generously-proportioned Sienna, and despite this minivan’s considerable girth (4,375 pounds at its lightest) and relatively large engine displacement, it even delivers pretty good fuel economy to boot.
With front-wheel drive, the EPA rates the Sienna at 21 mpg combined (18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway),* or 19 mpg combined (16 mpg city, 23 mpg highway) with all-wheel drive.*
Features and Trims
The 2016 Toyota Sienna is exactly what it looks like: a traditional, sliding-door minivan. It comes in configurations that seat seven or eight, with prices starting at $28,850.** With five available trim levels, there are plenty of options for building a Sienna to fit your budget.
Even the base Sienna L comes well equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, three-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth®, a rearview camera, 3.5-inch dashboard display, and 60/40 split-folding and stowing third-row seating.
Next up is the Sienna LE, which adds a few more features on top of or in place of (where applicable) the standard features of the L. These include “easy clean” fabric-trimmed seats, and overhead console with map lights and dome lights, and color-keyed exterior trim.
Building upon the LE is the Sienna SE, which adds LED daytime running lights and taillights, dual power-sliding doors and liftgate, 4.2-inch dashboard display, and leather-trimmed front seats with heating and power adjustment. A Premium package adds a Blu-Ray/DVD rear entertainment system and Driver Easy Speak—which projects the driver’s voice through the rear speakers.
The penultimate Sienna model is the XLE which, in addition to or in place of the standard features from the previous models, includes a fixed center console with an illuminated storage compartment, and a metallic front grille with chrome surround. A Premium model adds the same features as the SE Premium.
The top 2016 Sienna model is the Limited. It gets HID headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a sliding center console, high-grade instrument cluster, leatherette-trimmed second and third-row seats, and standard 18-inch ploy wheels. A Blu- Ray/DVD rear entertainment system is also available on the Premium model.
Design
No one said a minivan has to be boring. The 2016 Toyota Sienna offers plenty of style alongside its practical mission. Toyota tried hard to make the Sienna more than just another minivan, giving it a distinctive flair and even optional 19-inch wheels, a body kit, and lowered suspension on the SE model.
The interior gets a touch of luxury as well, with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a center console that puts the shifter, air conditioning, and multimedia controls in one easy-to-reach area.
The Sienna can be configured with either second-row individual seats and a rear bench to seat seven, or benches for both rows to seat eight, with a 60/40 spilt folding arrangement for each row. With the third-row seats stowed and second-row seats removed, the Sienna’s interior features a cavernous 150 cubic feet of cargo space, or 164.4 cubic feet of passenger volume with everything in place.
Safety
Standard safety equipment on the 2016 Toyota Sienna includes Toyota’s STAR Safety System, which bundles anti-lock brakes, stability control, traction control, and other features. The Sienna also has an additional LATCH child-seat anchor (for a total of four).
There are also several optional features, including front and rear sonar parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and a pre-collision system. Toyota’s Safety Connect telecommunications service is available with a one-year free trial.
Bottom Line
With flashy styling, a luxurious level of equipment, and plenty of optional tech, the 2016 Toyota Sienna is great at being a minivan, but also proves that minivans don’t have to be boring.
For more information, or to schedule a test drive, visit or contact us at DCH Toyota of Oxnard.
*2016 EPA-estimated city/highway mileage. Actual mileage will vary.
** Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price, excludes the Delivery, Processing and Handling Fee of $835 for Cars, $900 for Small/Light Trucks (Sienna, RAV4, Highlander Gas, Highlander HV, 4Runner, Tacoma and Venza), $1195 for Large Trucks (Tundra), and $995 for Large SUVs (Sequoia and Land Cruiser). (Historically, vehicle manufacturers and distributors have charged a separate fee for processing, handling and delivering vehicles to dealerships. Toyota's charge for these services is called the "Delivery, Processing and Handling Fee" and is based on the value of the processing, handling and delivery services Toyota provides as well as Toyota's overall pricing structure. Toyota may make a profit on the Delivery, Processing and Handling Fee.) Excludes taxes, license, title and available or regionally required equipment. Actual dealer price will vary.
Image: Toyota