The Toyota Sienna is powered by a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 motor under the hood. The motor generates a maximum of 266 horsepower and 245lb-ft of max torque. Performance is quite punchy for the minivan standards and city driving feels seamless with excellent mid-range performance of the motor. As standard, the car comes with a front drive configuration.
When the van is fully loaded, the motor doesn’t struggle much but gets quite vocal and harsh when you push it hard. The 6-speed automatic transmission keeps the motor relaxed and delivers all the power efficiently to the wheels. The optional AWD system bogs down the performance to some extent but adds a lot more practicality to the van.
Model
|
Toyota Sienna
|
Honda Odyssey LX
|
Kia Sedona L
|
MSRP
|
$28,850
|
$29,550
|
$26,400
|
Engine
|
3.5L V6
|
3.5L V6
|
3.3L V6
|
Transmission
|
6-Speed Automatic w/OD
|
5-Speed Automatic w/OD
|
6-Speed Automatic w/OD
|
Drivetrain
|
FWD
|
FWD
|
FWD
|
Power
|
266 @ 6200
|
248 @ 5700
|
276 @ 6300
|
Torque
|
245 @ 4700
|
250 @ 4800
|
248 @ 4500
|
The Honda Odyssey comes with a similar powertrain to the Sienna but has a lower horsepower rating but a slightly better torque output. The Kia Sedona has exactly 10 horsepower more than the Sienna and a marginal 3lb-ft of more torque. Also the Kia's torque kicks in earlier than the other two. The Kia's priced at a much lower value as well. The Toyota makes the least torque among these three.
Acceleration and Braking
The front-wheel drive Sienna can sprint to 60mph from a standstill within 7.5 seconds, an impressive number for a minivan. The quarter-mile comes up in 15.7 seconds, not bad for a minivan.Its the fastest among these three cars. The Honda comes in second with a 0-60 mph time of 7.7 seconds, just 0.1 seconds ahead of the Kia's time of 7.8 seconds. In the quarter-mile run, the Kia beats the Honda by 0.1 second.
Model
|
2016 Toyota Sienna
|
2016 Honda Odyssey
|
2016 Kia Sedona
|
0-60 mph (sec)
|
7.5
|
7.7
|
7.8
|
Quarter-mile (sec)
|
15.7
|
15.9
|
15.8
|
Top speed (mph)
|
117
|
120
|
125
|
Braking distance, 60-0 mph (feet)
|
127
|
126
|
119
|
Front Brakes (inches)
|
12.9
|
12.6
|
12.6
|
Rear Brakes (inches)
|
12.2
|
13.1
|
11.9
|
The Kia Sedona has the most top speed at 125 mph. In terms of stopping distance, the Sedona performs well, with a stopping distance of 119 feet. The Toyota Sienna takes the most at 127 feet, whereas the Odyssey takes one foot less at 126 feet. The Sienna has the biggest front brake, whereas the Odyssey has the biggest rear brake.
Handling And Steering
The handlling on the Sienna is just amazing. The V6 engine, coupled with the 6-speed transmission does a fabulous job of a linear power delivery. The acceleration is always crisp, never lagging. Complimenting the engine is the steering of this car. The car is a easy handler, turning on inputs and not swaying at all. The excellent ride quality is matched with a firm but sufficient suspension set-up. The front suspension is a strut setup, whereas the rear uses a torsion beam setup.
The steering on the Sienna is precise, and it turns on the dime. There is no loss of communication between the driver and the car, allowing for more confidence and power. The car is tight to turn as well, with a steering diameter of 37.5 feet. The refinement makes for a great handling experience as well.
Also Read:
- 2017 Toyota Sienna review
- 2016 Toyota Sienna specs and features