2016 Toyota Sienna vs. the Competition
The 2016 Toyota Sienna is one of the most stylish, most affordable and most dependable minivans in its class. This isn't your mama's wood-paneled, dowdy wagon -- this is a veritable swagger wagon.
Compared to competitors like the Honda Odyssey, the Dodge Grand Caravan, and the Chrysler Town and Country, the Toyota Sienna offers up more amenities, more universally appealing design, and a better overall driving experience.
Still on the fence about whether you should shop your NH Toyota dealers for the next Sienna? Take a look at how the 2016 model compares with some of its strongest competitors:
Unrivaled Powertrain
Most people who buy a minivan aren't all that considered with how much power is under the hood. Instead, they want to know about how many people it will seat and how many features it has to keep the kids entertained.
Yet even minivans need to have enough get-up-and-go to navigate the tight spots they will find themselves in eventually, such as getting out of a snowy driveway or carrying a full load up a hill.
The 2016 Toyota Sienna will come with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that puts out 266 horsepower and 245 pounds per feet of torque. The 2016 Honda Odyssey will have the same 3.5-liter V6 engine, but it will only put out 250 horsepower and 250 pounds per feet of torque.
Specs aren't confirmed for the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan, but rumors suggest that it will have a 2.0-liter V6 engine. The same is true for the 2016 Chrysler Town and Country, but rumors say it will get a 3.2-liter V6 engine.
With the Toyota Sienna, you'll have enough power for adept handling in your daily routine. You won't be able to take it joyriding on off-road trails on the weekend, but you will have more oomph for driving to and from errands. The engine will be paired with a six-speed automatic transmission for easy handling.
Interior Styling and Comfort That’s Unbeatable
One of the key features that minivan shoppers look for is interior comfort. In particular, they want to know how many the minivan will seat. The 2016 Toyota Sienna stands apart in its ability to seat eight. Instead of the middle row that looks like a traditional front seat, the Sienna has two full bench rows of seating in the second and third rows.
Only the Honda Odyssey matches the seating capacity of the Sienna. All the other minivans in its class top out at seating for seven.
The 2016 Toyota Sienna has a gorgeous interior that features comfort grip seating with adjustable head rests, arm rests on the second row, and adjustable seating for individual comfort. Though eight is a crowd, passengers won't feel cramped in this spacious interior. Even when the Sienna is rocking a full load, passengers will have plenty of room.
When the back seat is stowed, there is a four-by-eight-foot space for stowing cargo. Even with the third seat in place, the cargo area provides enough space for up to five loaded golf bags. The Sienna also comes with an optional towing package that can accommodate up to 3,500 pounds of cargo.
Convenience Features for All
For busy parents who are dealing with running multiple children from errand to play date to sports meetup and more, what sets one minivan apart from the pack is the lineup of features it has to offer. Anything that can make the ride a bit easier will be a selling point.
The 2016 Toyota Sienna is packed with features for parents and their passengers. Most notably, the Sienna comes with a DVD player that can easily be seen from every seat in the second and third row. Kids can watch TV shows or movies on their own DVDs, streaming from a smartphone or tablet that is hooked up to the USB port or Bluetooth, or playing from the Wi-Fi equipped infotainment system.
The Honda Odyssey also includes a DVD system, but the system is optional on the Dodge Grand Caravan. No details are yet available for the Chrysler Town and Country.
Other features available on the 2016 Toyota Sienna include satellite radio, dual-zone climate control, air filtration, navigation and more. While some of the competition offers similar features, some of these perks are only available on higher trim levels or in options packages. With the 2016 Toyota Sienna, you get a full menu of attractive features with the base model. You don't have to pay more to get more.
Advanced Safety Features
Safety is of paramount importance when you are shopping for a car for your family, and the 2016 Toyota Sienna takes safety seriously.
Some of the safety features you'll see on the new Sienna include brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, stability and traction control, LED running lights, a backup camera and more. Of course, the Sienna will also be stocked with airbags that protect all passengers, including head, side and knee airbags.
Full details on the safety features on not yet available, but we expect additional features like rear cross-path alert and blind-spot monitoring. When you're driving a large minivan like the Sienna, these extra "eyes" are essential for navigation.
While you will see some of these safety features on other competitors in the class, some of those features will only be available on higher trim levels or in option packages.
Pricing and Release Dates
The time is nearly upon us when most 2016 models will start making their appearance on car dealership lots. Yet some release dates have not been confirmed for the Sienna's competitors. We know that the 2016 Toyota Sienna will hit NH Toyota dealers and lots throughout the country in just a few months.
Pricing for the new Sienna will start around $25,000. Meanwhile, the Honda Odyssey is expected to start around $30,000. Pricing information is not available for the Dodge Grand Caravan or the Chrysler Town and Country.
Of course, final pricing will depend on the trim levels and options you choose. Visit your local NH Toyota dealers to learn about potential configurations and financing options for your new Sienna.