One of the BIG reasons why we bought our Pacifica, is that we don't have a truck and we love the fact that we can collapse both rows. I have used this feature many times in our short 6 month ownership of the van. We even use it as a hotel on weekend trips to the forest instead of pitching tents.
Totally agree. I never removed the 2nd rows in our prior minivans prior to the Pacifica. Never knew how useful it is until we got out Pacifica. We use it all the time - from Home Depot runs to carrying recreational gear. Stow n go is awesome.
I have the Chrysler Town and Country and I have stowed the second row countless times. Sometimes I've stowed just one seat to provide for more in-van cargo space for long trips. When I was younger, we always found reasons to remove the second row for storing things and sometimes, we would remove it and use only the third row and make the van feel like a limo. I think the ability to remove the second row is a big oversight here, as minivan owners are a small segment of the market and one of the main reasons to get a van is the versatility in moving people and cargo. Fixed second row seats really impact the versatility/utility.
I've watched every Toyota Sienna review on youtube and I still learned 2 features that no one else covered. 1 - Seat belt status of rear seats 2 - Optional spare tire
As a former Tahoe and Yukon owner, and current Kia Sedona owner, minivans are the clear better choice once you stop caring what random people at stoplights think about you as long as you do not tow 5,000+ lbs on a regular basis. Interior's are so much more functional and minivans cost tens of thousands less. Minivans should sell more than what they do and maybe they will when people realize the fact that they are easily the best family haulers.
In 2015 I took your advise and bought a Sienna. Five and a half years and 80k later I have only done normal maintenance so far. Super reliable minivan, I love it. Thanks Alex for your honest reviews.
I’ve owned two minivans and never needed to remove the second row so I guess it’s not a big deal for me. I had a Dodge Caravan and then a 2004 Sienna. I still own the Sienna with 184k miles and it still drives smoother than my in laws 2013 Town and Country
Hehehe. Designers these days obviously never needed to use their cars for errrr courting purposes, the way the front passengers are divided up by the centre console 'wall' you can't even hold hands with your loved one, never mind being on the receiving end of a bj etc to while away the hours on a long drive, or a short drive for that matter. :)
Did same with 3 small kids in 2012 sienna. Great van, flat floor after collapsing 3 rd row. Mattress or two in as bed. Travelled to states and across Canada in it. Got hailed on in crazy Alberta weather and had to write it off. Best memories though
@@imanonymous335 Agreed, when taking this camping bc of all the equipment needed. However, we're looking for something to sleep in while on long road trips. This was looking VERY exciting, until he said "can't take (them) out".
I want the removable seats from the Odyssey, the all-electric range of the Pacifica plug-in hybrid, and the reliability of the Sienna. Too much to ask I guess!
They all can do it. Automotive companies artificially trying to control the consumer’s wants and money. If they let what Tesla wanted to do 100 years ago, we would be in totally different level. It would not be an era of internal combustion engine and gasoline but electricity.
Still have a decent load area with them slid forward. I can see some people wanting the versatility but I think this method of a safety focused approach makes sense for most.
the second row sliding seats are amazing room and more than make up for the lack of removable seat. i have owned a sienna for 15 years and only for one day did i take ALL the seats out. could have easily rented a truck for 30$ instead.
The second row seats were out of our Odyssey dozens of times. With them out, when we were moving, I discovered I could put at least as mush stuff in the Odyssey as in my 8' pickup bed under a shell, and with the sliding doors the Odyssey was WAY easier to load. The fixed second row seats would be a deal breaker for me (except our Minivan days are over, at least for a while, since only 1 kiddo still lives at home. The low floor/tall seats/tall opening make a minivan likely when we reach the bad knees and hips phase...it works great for my mother in law right now. She finds crossovers too high, and sedans too low to get into.
Rich Sanchez. I agree with you. On the 4th Oddy now a 2016 EXL NAVI. Had van 2nd row seats out twice in last 2 weeks. Bit heavy but that's ok, they have substance and strength. Better than an SUV, hauls my motorcycle on a customer trailer. Great ride on the hwy. Fuel economy is good as long as you don't put your foot in it constantly. Do my own service, change out complete ATF every 18~20 K miles wjth Honda ATF-DW1 as I tow 3000 M once a year. This will keep the unfiltered Honda 6 speed AT in good working order and its cheap insurance. You have to understand Honda's ATs as they are their own design and the base concept is still the same as a 1973 Civic.
I have owned 6 minivans since 1990 - 2 Grand Caravans, 2 Honda Odysseys, and 2 Toyota Siennas. In 30 years of use, I have, only one time, removed the 2nd row seats when hauling furniture. What a pain to both take out and return those seats.
Removing the 2nd roll seat is a huge plus if you have large item to move. My 2013 double as a truck as it has more bed size once you remove the 2nd roll. So sad they removed this feature.
I’d rather have a safer (airbag) more comfortable seat that stays in place over a seat that folds into the floor (uncomfortable ) or comes out, there are compromises either way. For the odd time I’d need to pick up plywood it can stick out the back.
I agree! I have an old crv and keep telling myself I am keeping it for when I have to move large items and I really haven't done much of that. I will take the Sienna and be a bit safer too.
I had a 2005 Odyssey and the second row seats were out 60% of the time. Plywood and sheet rock went in as well as bicycles and the occasional dirt motorcycle. The Odyssey's towing was marginal uphill on dirt roads with a 3000 lb trailer (front wheel drive) so its replacement was a Silverado 1500. Gas mileage on the Silverado sucks however.
Huge mistake not to have removable second row and a flat load floor. I would buy one for traveling and camping. Many go camping in their hybrid priuses. The ac can run all night and the engine comes on about every 30 minutes for about 5 minutes to charge the battery. When will we see a VW Westphalia EV?
The worst part is, when the Sienna was originally conceived back in the day, having a 4x8 loading zone was one of the features their chief designer absolutely would not compromise on. Now it’s gone 😢
Nothing compares to the utility of our 2003 Sienna LE. So many compartments and cup holders. We loved the ability to flip up and or remove the second row of seats, (which are very comfortable) and removing the seats and stowing the third row made for an incredible flat surface which we used. We were able to inflate our queen size bed and camp very comfortably. Wish they'd make a camper version of the Sienna. Most important to us was the ability to move the second row seat inwards toward the center of the van, safer for babies and made for quick and very easy access to the back. Also perfect place for our large cooler which we accessed at the camp sites, keeping it protected in the van. We bought it brand new and still have it with 350k miles. Still camping.
I used the removable 2nd row seats on our mini can a few times so I would consider that a factor for sure, also does it have opening rear quarter windows and what other mini cans offer that feature as it is a game changer for rear passengers car sickness as we have found out with our kids. As always a two thumbs up review well worth supporting people.
How to design a vehicle in 2020: stretch whatever possible if not exaggerate them to the max and add non-functional ducts, channels, grills everywhere with a lot of glossy look.
Thanks for the excellent info Alex! My parents are seriously considering trading in their Honda Pilot once this Sienna comes out. They need more space for family trips and my dad wants to go Hybrid for better mpg. I'll tell him to go watch your video since he's been waiting for awhile now.
I prefer this type of shifter apposed to the push button. I like the positive engagement with my vessel I’m in control of so to speak 😆 and screw column shifters
I would need a work around to remove the second row seats for camping and a bicycle. In the words of George Carlin I need a place for all of my stuff. The second row has got to go!
YES! I’ve been waiting for months for this review and years for Toyota to finally make a hybrid van!! As far as the unremovable 2nd row seats, my kids will be in that are of the car a lot more than plywood so I’m willing to give up that versatility. Side impact on sliding doors has been a weak point for vans in the past so I’m glad they’ve got an airbag system that moves with the seat. Besides, I would imagine I could slide plywood or similar on its side, in between the two 2nd row seats. I don’t recall hearing, but I’m curious if the 8th seat is removable or will it be fixed in place. Thanks Alex! As always, you’ve got the best car reviews anywhere.
I think Alex said the LE will have an 8 seat option, I would imagine the XLE would have it too. I don’t think the XSE has it for some reason although don’t quote me, I need to look it up for myself.
My 2014 Sienna with 70K hard working miles is barely broken in. Only thing ever needed was door hinges that was part of some class action lawsuit, which Toyota replaced both sides for free of charge. I love minivans! I hunt, fish, and camp with it!
I remember second row seats that flipped over and faced backwards and you pulled a panel out from the wall of the van and it became a dining booth like train cars have.
@@ikelee That's not an intended use case and certainly not as convenient as an intentional removal mechanism. I don't want to be messing around with bolts and wiring harnesses to do something I should be able to do with a tilt and a latch.
It's mentioned elsewhere but I also want to stress that non-removeable second row seats is a deal killer for some of us. This would be an amazing summer camping/road trip/plywood hauling rig if not for that (IMO) terrible design idea. Please fix this TOYOTA.
The lack of removable seats or other means of fitting 4x8 sheet goods and other large cargo was a huge deciding factor for us going with the Pacifica hybrid over the Sienna. Well, that and the lack of a plug-in hybrid in the Sienna.
We take out the rear bench seat and 2nd row seats out multiple times a year for hauling things. Just yesterday we were able to move one of the second row seats behind the other second row seat to load a mattress easily as we were already driving it without the bench seat. Thanks for the review Alex.
My wife’s 2017 limited premium has dual sunroofs. Both slide and the rear roof is huge! The wide screen, Bluetooth media with jbl sound system is great! No complaints.
I have to say, I really like the 2021 Sienna. It's finally caught my eye in design more than the Odyssey. I see NO reason to buy a Pacifica with Sienna and Odyssey on offer, even if the initial cost for a Pacifica is less. You'll likely pay a lot more earlier in the Pacifica in repairs.
And if you sell it before the end of its life, someone will be willing to pay you several thousand dollars more for the Sienna over the Pacifica as well. Pacifica's depreciation will be WAY faster.
I would consider the Pacifica Hybrid if you want a plug-in. Other than that I wouldn’t consider the gas Pacifica or the Odyssey at all no reason to buy those either unless you remove 2nd row often.
I’m on my 2nd Pacifica and I love it. I love the 2nd row stow n go. I used to never remove the 2nd row in our other minivans bc they were such a pain. But it’s so easy in the Pacifica I use it all the time. I used to be a Toyota fan but lately their interior design has been clunky and cheap.
Yes I remove the seats, I have the seats taken out and the track system in my 2013 Sienna. What is the ingress measurements of the side doors? I have notches cut in a ramp to allow for wheelchair entry and now that I don’t have to worry about that fridge in the way I’m probably going Sienna again or Pacifica as hybrid is definitely a must have for me now.
Yes I’ve taken the second row out maybe half dozen times in the 17 years on my current van. I was seriously looking at previous gen Sienna or newer Pacifica with AWD but this looks really good.
Thank you for the in-depth review. Also I have never removed my second row seats in my 2011 Kia Sedona that I have owned for 10 years and am looking to replace.
I really hope you don't choose your car based on how the back up camera looks. His videos are very long but extremely informative already. Its almost like asking him to review a mirror on the car. It shows the back of your vehicle when you are in reverse. What more do you need to see or hear?
Qais Bahadur If you really interested in all features of the car, makes sense to watch multiple video reviews from different channels I’m sure somebody will show back up camera.
It's actually a great way for the viewer to see whether the vehicle has a high resolution backup camera or one of those 320x200 webcam units left over from the parts bin of yesteryear. While it may not be the ultimate deciding factors, it's a factor, and the review covers these aspects.
The new styling and mpg attracts me as a person who’s never paid attention to minivans. As about the 2nd row seats. My pick is airbags which I hope I’ll never need against removal function which I’ll maybe use a couple times over the years.
We regularly remove one or both 2nd row seats in our odyssey (Home Depot and dump runs) but I do like the 2nd row sliding range in the new Sienna. May not be a deal breaker 🤔
love the XSE styling, but wish it had the 8 seat option. when ur going on vacation with 2 families its more often than not they will have 4 people per family so 8 seat option just makes more sense to me at least. well guess ill save some money and get the LE then
@@niekdewinter1579 I believe it is. It used to be the more popular option like 10 years ago when my fam got their first one, I'm guessing today that prob is the xle? idk all I know is that cars are ridiculously expensive and Toyota keeps raising prices each year in the background and if I'm getting more seats for less money, that works
Alex is my go to source for reviews and comparisons on RUclips. What I wanted to see was how the cargo volume behind the 3rd row and total cargo volume with 3rd row down compared to the competition. Please add that for part 2 on Oct 27!
I like minivans. Although, I must say, that I don't like the fact that they've gotten too many gimmicks like vacuums and now refrigerators. I would just add a cordless Dyson and an electric cooler and it would be cheaper and more versatile.
I’ve taken my 2013sienna seats out maybe once - they are very cumbersome. I do push them forward often and don’t really mind leaving the back door open with a strap for plywood or really really long items. It’s amazing what you cat haul in or on the sienna.
Nice work (as always) Alex. Very detailed and informative. Also, per your query: I have a loaded 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Limited, and I use the Stow and Go ALL THE TIME. Even when the seats are not folded into the floor we use the space there for storage (my kids call it "the basement"). I passed on the Pacifica hybrid for just this reason. So even though this is a nice upgrade to the Sienna the lack of collapsible middle-row seats is a deal killer for me. When we go on road trips those areas are PACKED with food and other goodies. Keep up the great work!
Nice review as always i have a 2004 sienna an my 2nd row seats don't recline enough either but i do take the 2nd row seats out for max cargo hauling an its a big + feature in my opinion.I average 23-25 mpg so 35-36 is a nice step up.Toyota is quality built ,nice job on new van.
Yes, we do occasionally remove second row seats. And I was hoping for, Toyota to make second row seats not just removable but also direction reversible like some German’s minivans. Then you can travel face to face second row and the third row.
Pavel Stepa I recall that the Toyota previa did have reversible rear seats that you can rotate to face the third row. It was also RWD and the engine was right between the driver and passenger. And I also remember it had a supercharged engine
@@naveenthemachine yeah and it was dogshit slow and the engine was hard as hell to access the RWD architecture (also solid rear axle) make it a good base for a lifted build though
I use the minivan so much for hauling stuff, I removed the second row seat for good. Sitting in third row for passengers is not ideal, but it works. My next minivan would be pacifica or caravan despite of probably poor reliability.
If you didn’t eat that bacon, I was prepared to drive from Florida to chastise you. LOL. Your reviews are second to none, in their thoroughness. I also appreciate that you mainly stick to vehicles that normal people can buy. I like Bugatti’s as much as the next car nut, but mainstream vehicles are much more interesting, IMHO. When price is no object, what’s the point. Bangle-hood indeed. ;)
In regards to the second row seats not being removable, while the current generation of the Odyssey does offer removable second row seats it still leaves a bit of a base behind so you don't get a completely flat floor (a little annoying if you're loading something wide and flat). But I'd still rather have that than seats that are fixed in the second row.
Choice between a flat load floor or adequate seat foam cushioning at this point. The stow and go keep the floor fairly level, but they’re a chore to sit in for long trips.
Yes, this is it. I have been driving the 2005 Sienna that has been racking up almost 300,000 miles without any major problems, yes not even its original fuel pump nor any of the shock absorbers/struts that needs replacement. We have had a few other minivans before but never kept any of them very long until we owned a Toyota Sienna. Of all modern minivans, only the all new 2021 Sienna is worthy enough to replace my current Sienna. We have had other vehicles during the last 15 years such as Highlander, Pilot, Avalon, BMW 528i, Infiniti G20, Camry, Mazda MPV, Mercury Villager, but when it comes to road trips or long trips, the Sienna has always been the favorite and used. The Sienna has also been the second longest vehicle I’ve kept (15 years and counting). The longest time I’ve kept a vehicle is the 1985 Toyota Supra that kept for 23 years and was still running great at 275k miles(a big mistake getting rid of the perfectly fun to drive Supra).
I’d actually get the highlander because I don’t like to own vans no matter how beautiful and if I had to I’d get one van for the family and another sedan coupe for myself
How is a Highlander good at “off-roading?” It’s a low-clearance unibody FWD based tall car. It’s got a whooping 1.4 inches more ground clearance than the Sienna (and less than an inch over my Impala). Really.. all you are doing with it is taking it on logging roads-which the Sienna and any minivan or car will do just fine. A minivan will likely make you be more careful rather than pretending the Highlander is a Jeep or Bronco which is certainly isn’t.
Because many people view minivans as unattractive, that’s why we don’t see many minivans on the markets, but we see a lot of SUVs on the market because American just love SUVs.
Biggest issue I see: The central console that prevents going to the rear without leaving the vehicle...but I’m glad it’s empty, I was afraid the batteries would be in . Just little dremmel time on the rounded plastics from the top of the console in junction with the dash . & yeah I'm able to unplug the rear buckets seats and unbolt it from the floor . Perfect Camper with great mpg
What a shame. I was waiting for flat laying seats, removable 2nd and 3rd row seats and a plug-in feature like the Prius Prime. Lots of missed opportunities with this new model. I'll pass until they come up with a clamping model some day. Thanks Alex. Your reviews are my favorite and this is another super-pro job.
Every time I had to remove or re-install the middle row seat in my Sienna it such a struggle. It's not that it's hard. But the procedure is not straightforward and a rarely use feature such that every time I needed to use it, I would proceed to forget how to install or remove the seats.
Oh yea most of the 2021’s are still using some incandescent bulbs. I don’t think the year has anything to do with it. Manufacturers are all using them here and there. It won’t change anytime soon.
I have a 2018 Caravan GT with the collapsing 2nd row seats. Have used on numerous occasions for hauling plywood, junk to the dump, and moving furniture.
One of the BIG reasons why we bought our Pacifica, is that we don't have a truck and we love the fact that we can collapse both rows. I have used this feature many times in our short 6 month ownership of the van. We even use it as a hotel on weekend trips to the forest instead of pitching tents.
Totally agree. I never removed the 2nd rows in our prior minivans prior to the Pacifica. Never knew how useful it is until we got out Pacifica. We use it all the time - from Home Depot runs to carrying recreational gear. Stow n go is awesome.
I have the Chrysler Town and Country and I have stowed the second row countless times. Sometimes I've stowed just one seat to provide for more in-van cargo space for long trips. When I was younger, we always found reasons to remove the second row for storing things and sometimes, we would remove it and use only the third row and make the van feel like a limo. I think the ability to remove the second row is a big oversight here, as minivan owners are a small segment of the market and one of the main reasons to get a van is the versatility in moving people and cargo. Fixed second row seats really impact the versatility/utility.
Did you shower and toilet in your Pacifica?
Volkswagen Transporter: you are welcome
Best automobile reviewer on RUclips. Attention to detail is always excellent.
Alex is great!
Doug 😒
I agree excellent reviews!
I've watched every Toyota Sienna review on youtube and I still learned 2 features that no one else covered. 1 - Seat belt status of rear seats 2 - Optional spare tire
As a former Tahoe and Yukon owner, and current Kia Sedona owner, minivans are the clear better choice once you stop caring what random people at stoplights think about you as long as you do not tow 5,000+ lbs on a regular basis. Interior's are so much more functional and minivans cost tens of thousands less. Minivans should sell more than what they do and maybe they will when people realize the fact that they are easily the best family haulers.
I would have bought one but my garage is not long enough. Is not all about perception but houses have been getting smaller.
Tens of thousands of less? Pretty comparable price to prove to a Telluride, Hylander or Pilot.
@@James-il3tq I didn't mention crossovers. My comparison was between minivans and truck based SUV's like Tahoe's, Expeditions, Armadas, and Sequoia's.
@@khuo0219 Where do you think houses are getting smaller? Garages in particular are only getting larger here in the midwest.
I willing to bet the platinum MSRP is almost $52k
In 2015 I took your advise and bought a Sienna. Five and a half years and 80k later I have only done normal maintenance so far. Super reliable minivan, I love it. Thanks Alex for your honest reviews.
Alex is always so professional and serious... but yet, we can see him smile at 15:05, emerging from the deep cargo area... lol
Have you seen his colabs with Sofyan from Redline Reviews? Alex is a hoot!
He smiled a lot when he Floored a camero
Saw that too...it was pretty remarkable to NOT see him at all until his pop up...LOL
The best van on the market...just needs a prime option 😎
True
You misspelled TRD ...
Kirk pretty sure this would pass your nap test, a lot better than the C-HR at least 😂
I thought they would have prime but I guess 2022 will ..or hope so
So glad your channel is growing. Very true on your reply btw.
I’ve owned two minivans and never needed to remove the second row so I guess it’s not a big deal for me. I had a Dodge Caravan and then a 2004 Sienna. I still own the Sienna with 184k miles and it still drives smoother than my in laws 2013 Town and Country
Makes so much more sense than an SUV monstrosity - more room, better ride, safer, better MPG.
And that's why CROSSOVERS exist. Although mini-vans are still roomier inside than crossovers as well.
Minivan can't be beat for large families.. period.
I remember that we took out the seats and put a mattress in there to sleep on our road trip :D
And now you can microwave shit!
@@bsxboy Now Sienna have Non-removable second row seats ...
I have slept in a Sienna, too bad the seats no longer are removable.
Hehehe. Designers these days obviously never needed to use their cars for errrr courting purposes, the way the front passengers are divided up by the centre console 'wall' you can't even hold hands with your loved one, never mind being on the receiving end of a bj etc to while away the hours on a long drive, or a short drive for that matter. :)
Did same with 3 small kids in 2012 sienna. Great van, flat floor after collapsing 3 rd row. Mattress or two in as bed. Travelled to states and across Canada in it. Got hailed on in crazy Alberta weather and had to write it off. Best memories though
I literally laughed out loud when you did the human fit test in the back. Bravo!!!
They need to make a camper version with a bed
They'd have to allow the removal of the second row for that the happen though, I think.
They will have to upgrade the engine from a 4 cylinder to a V8
@@imanonymous335 Agreed, when taking this camping bc of all the equipment needed. However, we're looking for something to sleep in while on long road trips. This was looking VERY exciting, until he said "can't take (them) out".
I want the removable seats from the Odyssey, the all-electric range of the Pacifica plug-in hybrid, and the reliability of the Sienna. Too much to ask I guess!
Forget removable seats, the Stow N Go would be super amazing in every van!
Yeah, all that plus a removable centre console and a manual transmission!
They all can do it. Automotive companies artificially trying to control the consumer’s wants and money. If they let what Tesla wanted to do 100 years ago, we would be in totally different level. It would not be an era of internal combustion engine and gasoline but electricity.
And the interior of Kia Sedona
@@jamesc8708 sedona looks weird
The lack of the 2nd row seats being removable is a deal killer for me. The flexibility of storage is key.
Still have a decent load area with them slid forward. I can see some people wanting the versatility but I think this method of a safety focused approach makes sense for most.
Yep deal killer for me also for now as I take seats out for camping.
@@ALMX5DP would you say that this is more an importance of convenience, or crucial ability?
No go if it can’t hold sheets of plywood and sheet rock!
Be Low Below huh? I thought I said safety. It is a shame but I see their rationale. Most families will adapt just fine I suspect.
Alex's review is always the most thorough and detailed one among the reviewers. Thanks.
the second row sliding seats are amazing room and more than make up for the lack of removable seat. i have owned a sienna for 15 years and only for one day did i take ALL the seats out. could have easily rented a truck for 30$ instead.
me too seats were heavy
@@jeretso thanks for bringing that up. My beater 99 sienna seats are heavy as could be, the modern can seats must be hell to carry.
Microwaving bacon, one more reason why Alex is miles ahead of other reviewers !
Nothing screams both Practical and Sexy than knowing that a man like Mr. On Auto’s microwaves his bacon! 🤗
Alex microwaves his coffee as well
The second row seats were out of our Odyssey dozens of times. With them out, when we were moving, I discovered I could put at least as mush stuff in the Odyssey as in my 8' pickup bed under a shell, and with the sliding doors the Odyssey was WAY easier to load. The fixed second row seats would be a deal breaker for me (except our Minivan days are over, at least for a while, since only 1 kiddo still lives at home. The low floor/tall seats/tall opening make a minivan likely when we reach the bad knees and hips phase...it works great for my mother in law right now. She finds crossovers too high, and sedans too low to get into.
For the 2 times I'll end up picking up drywall and plywood in my life, I'll just get it delivered to my house and buy the better minivan that I want..
Rich Sanchez. I agree with you. On the 4th Oddy now a 2016 EXL NAVI. Had van 2nd row seats out twice in last 2 weeks. Bit heavy but that's ok, they have substance and strength. Better than an SUV, hauls my motorcycle on a customer trailer. Great ride on the hwy. Fuel economy is good as long as you don't put your foot in it constantly. Do my own service, change out complete ATF every 18~20 K miles wjth Honda ATF-DW1 as I tow 3000 M once a year. This will keep the unfiltered Honda 6 speed AT in good working order and its cheap insurance. You have to understand Honda's ATs as they are their own design and the base concept is still the same as a 1973 Civic.
@@pttthhh So your buying the Oddy, bravo!
I love how fast Alex talks and I appreciate his sense of urgency. 4:45
15:03 Sir, I appreciate your sense of humor. Not many minivan reviews would make someone literally lol.
Thats a nice looking minivan, if I had the money, I’d buy it. I wouldn’t care what anyone would think.
A prime version of this with like 350 HP would be such a interesting addition to the minivan market.
Their upcoming turbo straight 6 would be great lol
I have owned 6 minivans since 1990 - 2 Grand Caravans, 2 Honda Odysseys, and 2 Toyota Siennas. In 30 years of use, I have, only one time, removed the 2nd row seats when hauling furniture. What a pain to both take out and return those seats.
:)
I keep repeating this I usually don’t like vans but this one nailed it great job Toyota
Removing the 2nd roll seat is a huge plus if you have large item to move. My 2013 double as a truck as it has more bed size once you remove the 2nd roll. So sad they removed this feature.
I’d rather have a safer (airbag) more comfortable seat that stays in place over a seat that folds into the floor (uncomfortable ) or comes out, there are compromises either way. For the odd time I’d need to pick up plywood it can stick out the back.
I agree! I have an old crv and keep telling myself I am keeping it for when I have to move large items and I really haven't done much of that. I will take the Sienna and be a bit safer too.
Most people want stow and go to seats for it's versatility. Toyota focuses on consumer demand and practicality.
The super comfortable seats can be heavy so I rarely remove my previous generation seats.
Been waiting for this review for months. Way to go Alex, knocked it out the park again. Now take your family on vacation!!!
You have the best, balanced, more comprehensive reviews with useful insight of any channel.
I had a 2005 Odyssey and the second row seats were out 60% of the time. Plywood and sheet rock went in as well as bicycles and the occasional dirt motorcycle. The Odyssey's towing was marginal uphill on dirt roads with a 3000 lb trailer (front wheel drive) so its replacement was a Silverado 1500. Gas mileage on the Silverado sucks however.
The lack of removable 2nd row seats is sorely disappointing. Overall, the packaging seems to be a generation behind.
if you can't safely engineer airbags into a removable you need better engineers
My brother hardly ever has the 2nd row in. Plenty of people like the flexibility of a minivan and don't have a bunch of kids.
So Sienna Panel Van edition?
Huge mistake not to have removable second row and a flat load floor. I would buy one for traveling and camping. Many go camping in their hybrid priuses.
The ac can run all night and the engine comes on about every 30 minutes for about 5 minutes to charge the battery. When will we see a VW Westphalia EV?
I'm shocked. I don't know what they were thinking. At least, they should've offered is as an option. Then again, the one in the Hybrid can be removed!
The worst part is, when the Sienna was originally conceived back in the day, having a 4x8 loading zone was one of the features their chief designer absolutely would not compromise on. Now it’s gone 😢
Or at a minimum have them fold into the floor.
Absolutely! Not being able to remove the middle row is a terrible decision and keeps me from buying one.
@@FirstLast-kb7kn they need that space for the batteries though. The sienna is hybrid
Nothing compares to the utility of our 2003 Sienna LE. So many compartments and cup holders. We loved the ability to flip up and or remove the second row of seats, (which are very comfortable) and removing the seats and stowing the third row made for an incredible flat surface which we used. We were able to inflate our queen size bed and camp very comfortably. Wish they'd make a camper version of the Sienna. Most important to us was the ability to move the second row seat inwards toward the center of the van, safer for babies and made for quick and very easy access to the back. Also perfect place for our large cooler which we accessed at the camp sites, keeping it protected in the van. We bought it brand new and still have it with 350k miles. Still camping.
Thanks again for another great review, Alex! I love how far back the second row goes...
I used the removable 2nd row seats on our mini can a few times so I would consider that a factor for sure, also does it have opening rear quarter windows and what other mini cans offer that feature as it is a game changer for rear passengers car sickness as we have found out with our kids. As always a two thumbs up review well worth supporting people.
How to design a vehicle in 2020: stretch whatever possible if not exaggerate them to the max and add non-functional ducts, channels, grills everywhere with a lot of glossy look.
Agreed. I don't see lots of advantage on the new gen over the previous gen.
High quality review. Very much appreciate it. Looking forward to the second part of the review.
I liked the review. Covered all the things that someone looking at a minivan would want to take into account.
owned the sienna for 5 years never took the second row seats out
Thanks for the excellent info Alex! My parents are seriously considering trading in their Honda Pilot once this Sienna comes out. They need more space for family trips and my dad wants to go Hybrid for better mpg. I'll tell him to go watch your video since he's been waiting for awhile now.
I prefer this type of shifter apposed to the push button. I like the positive engagement with my vessel I’m in control of so to speak 😆 and screw column shifters
Wow... my next family car is getting better!!... You’re the best Alex!
I would need a work around to remove the second row seats for camping and a bicycle. In the words of George Carlin I need a place for all of my stuff. The second row has got to go!
do it if you dont mind voiding warranty
You just have to take out a few bolts and unclip a wiring harness and you can take out the seats.
YES! I’ve been waiting for months for this review and years for Toyota to finally make a hybrid van!!
As far as the unremovable 2nd row seats, my kids will be in that are of the car a lot more than plywood so I’m willing to give up that versatility. Side impact on sliding doors has been a weak point for vans in the past so I’m glad they’ve got an airbag system that moves with the seat. Besides, I would imagine I could slide plywood or similar on its side, in between the two 2nd row seats. I don’t recall hearing, but I’m curious if the 8th seat is removable or will it be fixed in place.
Thanks Alex! As always, you’ve got the best car reviews anywhere.
Looks like they retained the removable 8th seat since the space to stow it is the same as current gen.
Any idea which trims/grades will have the 8th seat?
I think Alex said the LE will have an 8 seat option, I would imagine the XLE would have it too. I don’t think the XSE has it for some reason although don’t quote me, I need to look it up for myself.
Best car reviews I’ve ever come across are by this nice man!
My 2014 Sienna with 70K hard working miles is barely broken in. Only thing ever needed was door hinges that was part of some class action lawsuit, which Toyota replaced both sides for free of charge. I love minivans! I hunt, fish, and camp with it!
I remember second row seats that flipped over and faced backwards and you pulled a panel out from the wall of the van and it became a dining booth like train cars have.
wasnt that in the caravan?
The non-removeable second row seats are a dealbreaker for me. Why build a minivan that can't fully utilize its space as a van?
They can be removed! You just have to take out a few bolts and unclip a wiring harness
@@ikelee That's not an intended use case and certainly not as convenient as an intentional removal mechanism. I don't want to be messing around with bolts and wiring harnesses to do something I should be able to do with a tilt and a latch.
GeekRedux blame the focus groups then. They are the ones that told Toyota they rarely take out the middle seats
It’s disappointing that Toyota do not have the non removable second row seats option
I'd still rather have airbags then removable seats but 🤷🏻♂️
Yours is the best video about 2021 Sienna
Can’t wait for the driving review. Finally the only thing holding me back (gas mileage) has been resolved. Thank you Alex for your thorough review!
It's mentioned elsewhere but I also want to stress that non-removeable second row seats is a deal killer for some of us.
This would be an amazing summer camping/road trip/plywood hauling rig if not for that (IMO) terrible design idea. Please fix this TOYOTA.
That is the dumbest move on their part. I agree.
@@ks1ngh27 Nothing they can do about it unless they want to be sued by FCA
Adam Smith they can make the seat removable.
Actually, they can be removed! You just have to take out a few bolts and unclip a wiring harness.
It may be dealbreaker for some of you out there, but I think majority minivan owners never need to take 2nd row seats out.
The lack of removable seats or other means of fitting 4x8 sheet goods and other large cargo was a huge deciding factor for us going with the Pacifica hybrid over the Sienna. Well, that and the lack of a plug-in hybrid in the Sienna.
Sienna should be Primed....
You will be spending a lot of time in your dealer's service area.
www.torquenews.com/8113/why-are-toyota-prius-hybrid-so-durable
We take out the rear bench seat and 2nd row seats out multiple times a year for hauling things. Just yesterday we were able to move one of the second row seats behind the other second row seat to load a mattress easily as we were already driving it without the bench seat.
Thanks for the review Alex.
It's a great family van, good looking, spacious & efficient
We frequently remove the second row seats in our Honda Odyssey. I do like that it is a hybrid.
The you would love the pacifica phev
Lets see Toyota make a Sienna Prime with pure EV range, 300hp and AWD. That would be a minivan I'd buy.
look at that information density. love this channel
My wife’s 2017 limited premium has dual sunroofs. Both slide and the rear roof is huge! The wide screen, Bluetooth media with jbl sound system is great! No complaints.
I have to say, I really like the 2021 Sienna. It's finally caught my eye in design more than the Odyssey.
I see NO reason to buy a Pacifica with Sienna and Odyssey on offer, even if the initial cost for a Pacifica is less. You'll likely pay a lot more earlier in the Pacifica in repairs.
And if you sell it before the end of its life, someone will be willing to pay you several thousand dollars more for the Sienna over the Pacifica as well. Pacifica's depreciation will be WAY faster.
Sienna and Odyssey have no plugs.. :/
You see most Pacificas as rental vehicles these days
I would consider the Pacifica Hybrid if you want a plug-in. Other than that I wouldn’t consider the gas Pacifica or the Odyssey at all no reason to buy those either unless you remove 2nd row often.
I’m on my 2nd Pacifica and I love it. I love the 2nd row stow n go. I used to never remove the 2nd row in our other minivans bc they were such a pain. But it’s so easy in the Pacifica I use it all the time. I used to be a Toyota fan but lately their interior design has been clunky and cheap.
Yes I remove the seats, I have the seats taken out and the track system in my 2013 Sienna. What is the ingress measurements of the side doors? I have notches cut in a ramp to allow for wheelchair entry and now that I don’t have to worry about that fridge in the way I’m probably going Sienna again or Pacifica as hybrid is definitely a must have for me now.
Yes I’ve taken the second row out maybe half dozen times in the 17 years on my current van. I was seriously looking at previous gen Sienna or newer Pacifica with AWD but this looks really good.
Thank you for the in-depth review. Also I have never removed my second row seats in my 2011 Kia Sedona that I have owned for 10 years and am looking to replace.
Alex I don’t understand why you don’t show the back up camera for most of cars you do review on, please start showing the back up camera.
I really hope you don't choose your car based on how the back up camera looks. His videos are very long but extremely informative already. Its almost like asking him to review a mirror on the car. It shows the back of your vehicle when you are in reverse. What more do you need to see or hear?
Qais Bahadur If you really interested in all features of the car, makes sense to watch multiple video reviews from different channels I’m sure somebody will show back up camera.
It's actually a great way for the viewer to see whether the vehicle has a high resolution backup camera or one of those 320x200 webcam units left over from the parts bin of yesteryear. While it may not be the ultimate deciding factors, it's a factor, and the review covers these aspects.
Watch Redline Reviews for that. Sofyan Bey always covers the backup camera.
Appetizers with Alex in Autos
My first hybrid minivan! Good review Alex.
I love minivans & wagons. From old to new. Idk why really but I just do.
We don't really see a reason to remove the second row seats unless we're literally moving houses
who is we???? ie speak for yourself....non-removable second row seats, is lame
Exactly! I don't own a Sienna but that is very helpful when I want to borrow it from friends to move furniture.
N C doesn’t take a genius to see that ‘we’ refers to the OP’s family..
The new styling and mpg attracts me as a person who’s never paid attention to minivans.
As about the 2nd row seats. My pick is airbags which I hope I’ll never need against removal function which I’ll maybe use a couple times over the years.
this is LEAGUES better than anything else in the class
Great observation on the “bangle nose”, the lines and creases remind me of that bangle butt 7 series in the early 2000’s
Your reviews are very informative great job!
We regularly remove one or both 2nd row seats in our odyssey (Home Depot and dump runs) but I do like the 2nd row sliding range in the new Sienna. May not be a deal breaker 🤔
love the XSE styling, but wish it had the 8 seat option. when ur going on vacation with 2 families its more often than not they will have 4 people per family so 8 seat option just makes more sense to me at least. well guess ill save some money and get the LE then
Isn’t the LE the lowest trim level?
@@niekdewinter1579 I believe it is. It used to be the more popular option like 10 years ago when my fam got their first one, I'm guessing today that prob is the xle? idk all I know is that cars are ridiculously expensive and Toyota keeps raising prices each year in the background and if I'm getting more seats for less money, that works
Apart from that massive grill, it’s really well proportioned and handsome for a minivan
Alex is my go to source for reviews and comparisons on RUclips. What I wanted to see was how the cargo volume behind the 3rd row and total cargo volume with 3rd row down compared to the competition. Please add that for part 2 on Oct 27!
I like minivans. Although, I must say, that I don't like the fact that they've gotten too many gimmicks like vacuums and now refrigerators. I would just add a cordless Dyson and an electric cooler and it would be cheaper and more versatile.
When my family had a 2006 Sienna, the only time the second row seats were removed was when I vacuumed the car.
Mine get removed about once a month. I need the 4x8 sheet ablitiy to haul plywood home.
I’ve taken my 2013sienna seats out maybe once - they are very cumbersome. I do push them forward often and don’t really mind leaving the back door open with a strap for plywood or really really long items. It’s amazing what you cat haul in or on the sienna.
@@DD-ze7qm I buy very expensive plywood for cabinet/furniture making, not hanging it out the back, lol.
@@dizzytt69 then buy a trailer and a hitch if you haul plywood that much. Or a work van.
@@andybub45 and store it where? And pay insurance and registration every year?
Nice work (as always) Alex. Very detailed and informative.
Also, per your query: I have a loaded 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Limited, and I use the Stow and Go ALL THE TIME. Even when the seats are not folded into the floor we use the space there for storage (my kids call it "the basement"). I passed on the Pacifica hybrid for just this reason. So even though this is a nice upgrade to the Sienna the lack of collapsible middle-row seats is a deal killer for me. When we go on road trips those areas are PACKED with food and other goodies.
Keep up the great work!
It was a bad decision about 2nd row of seats. Really cuts down on the utility of the van. It may be a deal breaker for me (may not be for you).
For me is deal breaker removable seats
Second raw of seats?? Please proof read texts before sending them....
@@rontreen3278 done!
I can count on one hand how many times we have removed the 2nd row seats on our 13 Sienna
Nice review as always i have a 2004 sienna an my 2nd row seats don't recline enough either but i do take the 2nd row seats out for max cargo hauling an its a big + feature in my opinion.I average 23-25 mpg so 35-36 is a nice step up.Toyota is quality built ,nice job on new van.
I agree. Got up early here in the west coast just for part 2...
How much room is available in the back with the 2nd row pushed forward and 3rd row folded down? People who use vans for camping need to know this!
Yes, we do occasionally remove second row seats. And I was hoping for, Toyota to make second row seats not just removable but also direction reversible like some German’s minivans. Then you can travel face to face second row and the third row.
Pavel Stepa I recall that the Toyota previa did have reversible rear seats that you can rotate to face the third row. It was also RWD and the engine was right between the driver and passenger. And I also remember it had a supercharged engine
@@naveenthemachine yeah and it was dogshit slow and the engine was hard as hell to access
the RWD architecture (also solid rear axle) make it a good base for a lifted build though
I use the minivan so much for hauling stuff, I removed the second row seat for good. Sitting in third row for passengers is not ideal, but it works. My next minivan would be pacifica or caravan despite of probably poor reliability.
Toyota Sienna is killing it # 01 model in mini van world 🌎 for sure 👍plus your awesome review
If you didn’t eat that bacon, I was prepared to drive from Florida to chastise you. LOL. Your reviews are second to none, in their thoroughness. I also appreciate that you mainly stick to vehicles that normal people can buy. I like Bugatti’s as much as the next car nut, but mainstream vehicles are much more interesting, IMHO. When price is no object, what’s the point. Bangle-hood indeed. ;)
I do find he tends to get the higher trims though.
In regards to the second row seats not being removable, while the current generation of the Odyssey does offer removable second row seats it still leaves a bit of a base behind so you don't get a completely flat floor (a little annoying if you're loading something wide and flat). But I'd still rather have that than seats that are fixed in the second row.
The 4’x8’ plywood’s I pick up from Home Depot don’t complain ‘bout backache from that bump your complaining about.
@@bawalmagisip1 gyproc might tho
Choice between a flat load floor or adequate seat foam cushioning at this point. The stow and go keep the floor fairly level, but they’re a chore to sit in for long trips.
I was STUNNED how small it looked next to you when you cut to the rear portion of the design review
Beautiful van. Great job Toyota!
Took the second row seat out once in 8 years of owning my Sienna.
Exactly lol if you haul cargo that much you need a trailer or a pickup truck.
I'd give up fuel economy for removable second row seats. Odyssey is still the best in my mind.
Fortunately there are alternatives
For the difference you could easily rent a trailer and haul and it still would cost less than the fuel you'd use.
@@bigcjm why not just buy a Prius and rent a u-haul when I need it? Would save a ton on gas, and it's cheaper than a minivan.
Yes, this is it. I have been driving the 2005 Sienna that has been racking up almost 300,000 miles without any major problems, yes not even its original fuel pump nor any of the shock absorbers/struts that needs replacement. We have had a few other minivans before but never kept any of them very long until we owned a Toyota Sienna. Of all modern minivans, only the all new 2021 Sienna is worthy enough to replace my current Sienna. We have had other vehicles during the last 15 years such as Highlander, Pilot, Avalon, BMW 528i, Infiniti G20, Camry, Mazda MPV, Mercury Villager, but when it comes to road trips or long trips, the Sienna has always been the favorite and used.
The Sienna has also been the second longest vehicle I’ve kept (15 years and counting). The longest time I’ve kept a vehicle is the 1985 Toyota Supra that kept for 23 years and was still running great at 275k miles(a big mistake getting rid of the perfectly fun to drive Supra).
In the breakfast column we have the bacon which is crispy and firm- but not too firm, so it’s gets an 8 out of 10 in the weekend category.
I’m going to miss their buttery smooth V6.
engine is smooth, but i always felt the transmission was gear hunting... then again, i drive more aggressively than most mini-van drivers.
Really makes no sense to get a Highlander when the Sienna is probably better in everyday OTHER than going "off-roading".
I’d actually get the highlander because I don’t like to own vans no matter how beautiful and if I had to I’d get one van for the family and another sedan coupe for myself
Don't worry, there soon be a "TRD Pro" version of it. 😊
How is a Highlander good at “off-roading?”
It’s a low-clearance unibody FWD based tall car. It’s got a whooping 1.4 inches more ground clearance than the Sienna (and less than an inch over my Impala).
Really.. all you are doing with it is taking it on logging roads-which the Sienna and any minivan or car will do just fine. A minivan will likely make you be more careful rather than pretending the Highlander is a Jeep or Bronco which is certainly isn’t.
If you want a v6 with mechanical AWD or new torque vectoring AWD, get the Highlander
Because many people view minivans as unattractive, that’s why we don’t see many minivans on the markets, but we see a lot of SUVs on the market because American just love SUVs.
Biggest issue I see: The central console that prevents going to the rear without leaving the vehicle...but I’m glad it’s empty, I was afraid the batteries would be in . Just little dremmel time on the rounded plastics from the top of the console in junction with the dash . & yeah I'm able to unplug the rear buckets seats and unbolt it from the floor . Perfect Camper with great mpg
What a shame. I was waiting for flat laying seats, removable 2nd and 3rd row seats and a plug-in feature like the Prius Prime. Lots of missed opportunities with this new model. I'll pass until they come up with a clamping model some day. Thanks Alex. Your reviews are my favorite and this is another super-pro job.
Every time I had to remove or re-install the middle row seat in my Sienna it such a struggle. It's not that it's hard. But the procedure is not straightforward and a rarely use feature such that every time I needed to use it, I would proceed to forget how to install or remove the seats.
its 2021 and they are STILL using incandescent bulbs?!
Oh yea most of the 2021’s are still using some incandescent bulbs. I don’t think the year has anything to do with it. Manufacturers are all using them here and there. It won’t change anytime soon.
I’m convinced that they purchased incandescent bulbs in bulk (economies of scale) years ago to save money on future models. I hate the look.
I think Toyota made the shifter the way they did because it's functional and less likely to break. Toyota is all about reliability and practically.
I have a 2018 Caravan GT with the collapsing 2nd row seats. Have used on numerous occasions for hauling plywood, junk to the dump, and moving furniture.
God, I love bacon...