The Best Year for the Toyota Sienna
2018 Toyota Sienna by Kevauto — CC BY-SA 4.0
Toyota released its fourth generation of Sienna in 2021, and it was the first complete redesign of the van since 2010. With excellent safety ratings and reviews, one would think 2021 is the best year for the Toyota Sienna. But there is one tiny catch with the new generation—it is currently a hybrid-only vehicle.
While we are huge fans of hybrids, we find it difficult to declare the best year for a van when the year fails to offer a non-hybrid option. Still, we couldn’t take 2021 out of the running without comparing it to other years.
We looked at safety ratings, safety features, price, resale, reliability, upgrades, drivability, and more to make our decision. It was a tough call, but in the end, we reached a consensus.
2019 Toyota Sienna
The 2019 Toyota Sienna offers practically everything the 2020 model does at a lower price point, and this difference is more than you expect for a single year of driving—we’ll explore this further later.
By choosing the 2019 Sienna, you’re on the receiving end of excellent safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), tremendous longevity (with regularly scheduled maintenance), a host of safety features, good mileage, a ton of storage space, a powerful engine, and more, all at a reasonable price.
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Safety Ratings
The 2019 Toyota Sienna received a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. In addition, the NHTSA awarded the 2019 model 5 stars in the “Front Driver Side” category, where a simulated crash takes place between two similar vehicles moving at 35 mph. Another 5 stars were awarded in the “Overall Side Star Rating” category for simulated intersection collisions and those with fixed objects like a utility pole.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the 2019 Sienna as “Good” (its highest rank) for crashworthiness in the following categories:
- Roof strength
- Head restraints and seats
- Moderate overlap front
- Side
The IIHS also rated the 2019 Sienna as “Superior” in the “front crash prevention: vehicle to vehicle” category.
Safety Features
Now that we’ve covered some excellent safety ratings from widely trusted sources, let’s take a look at some of the safety features the 2019 Sienna has to offer. For starters, all trim levels come standard with the amazing Toyota Safety Sense™ (TSS). TSS alerts you of oncoming collision threats or unseen pedestrians by using a radar system and cameras.
If you drift from your lane, TSS will let you know and apply a slight steering correction. TSS also has a radar system that works with your cruise control to match the braking, pace, and other variables of the car directly in front of you.
TSS does things like use a forward-facing camera and radar system to alert you of a potential oncoming collision or pedestrian you may not see. The system also warns you when you drift from your lane unknowingly. When this occurs, the system may apply small corrections to your steering. Other safety features include a rear view camera, a suite of airbags, anti-lock brakes, and much more.
In addition to the TSS cameras, monitors, and radars serving as electronic eyes, the Sienna boasts large windows all around that provide top-notch outward visibility, which not only increases overall safety but overall riding enjoyment.
All of these features help tip the scale to 2019 as the best year for the Toyota Sienna.
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Mileage and Longevity
The 2019 Sienna delivers up to 19 mpg in the city and 27 on the highway. This is an excellent bang for your buck for a van that seats up to eight passengers comfortably. With the right amount of care and regularly scheduled maintenance, many Sienna owners state that they surpassed the 300,000-mile mark and kept on going.
Price
The average price for a used 2019 Toyota Sienna is $26,600, or about $3,000 less than the 2020 model. If we figure that the average American drives 13,500 miles per year, and the Sienna can run for 300,000 miles with the proper maintenance schedule, that means we’re looking at a little more than a 22-year life span or a value of $1,331 per year when dividing the 2020’s average used price of $29,300 by 22 years.
These figures reveal that the used 2019 is the better deal, and that’s before considering the fact that there isn’t much difference between the 2020 and the 2019. This is important to factor in when considering the best year for the Toyota Sienna.
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Features
The 2019 Sienna comes standard with an infotainment system featuring a 7-inch touchscreen, six-speaker sound system, Apple CarPlay to connect your iPhone to the screen, Amazon Alexa, and more. Here is an incomplete list of features that higher levels of trim offer:
- Power sliding rear doors
- HD and satellite radio
- Heated outside mirrors
- Heated front seats
- Heater steering wheel
- Leather upholstery
- Universal garage door opener
- Dual-pane moonroof
- Navigation system
- 360-degree parking camera system
Resale
The average annual repair cost for a car is around $1,000. With the Sienna, you’re looking at $554 per year. Take this, combine it with good gas mileage and exceptional longevity, and it’s no wonder J.D. Power awarded the 2019 Toyota Sienna its highest rating of “Great,” or why we selected it as the best year for the Toyota Sienna.
Drivability
Every 2019 Sienna comes standard with a 296 horsepower 3.5-liter V6. This is top-shelf power for the class. Also standard is an eight-speed automatic transmission. Put all this together, and you’re looking at a powerful van with a smooth drive that isn’t afraid of heavy acceleration to get around highway slowpokes.
Get a curated list of the best used cars near you
Choosing the right vehicle is always important. It’s even more critical when a family requiring a van is involved. Only you know which van is right for you, and you can’t say for sure until you take a test drive.
The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area. Why not take the 2019 Sienna out for a spin this weekend? After all, you need to experience a vehicle first hand to know for sure that it’s your vehicle.
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