Toyota’s traditional approach of sensible and sedate is an excellent match to the minivan class, where space, efficiency, reliability, and durability are king.
New for 2020: The Toyota Sienna has been on the market for a number of years now, so it sees some slight updates for the new model year. The first is an all-new Nightshade trim that adds black trim and wheels on SE and SE Premium trims.
Making getting lots of stuff and people around an easier task is the goal, and the Sienna delivers on those counts with the added bonus of extra all-weather traction thanks to the all-wheel drive system.
Adding black trim and wheels is the latest trend to be sweeping the market, and even the family-friendly minivan hasn’t avoided it. Toyota’s is called the Nightshade and it comes with a black mesh front grille, black door handles, black mirrors, black Toyota badging, and black wheels in 19-inch on FWD models and 18-inch on AWD. The package can be fitted to SE and SE Premium trims, but only with black, silver, red, and white paint choices.
The Sienna is available in no fewer than eight trims, and that’s before you count the ones that can add all-wheel drive, as well as the versions with Toyota’s spiffy Auto Access seat, a middle-row power passenger seat that can pivot and power out the side of the van to help those with mobility issues get in and out.
It starts with the base L trim from $32,760 and works up to the top-spec Limited Premium at $49,100. (Both figures include $1,120 in destination.) In between, you get more features and options, though all get a 3.5-liter V6 that delivers 296 hp and 263 lb-ft of torque sent through an eight-speed automatic.