thanks! been wanting to hear more about xse driving dynamics
2021 XSE FWD Impressions
So the 2021s have finally arrived to dealers in Canada and the Toronto area. I took a XSE FWD for a drive and thought I would share my driving impressions. I was the first person to drive this car, it even had some of the packaging still on as you can see. Overall there were things I liked and some I didn't like:
+ The 20 inch wheels look really nice, even though they are plastic clad aluminum and not real aluminum alloy. The wheels alone are part of the reason why I'm attracted to the XSE FWD, which along with the Limited FWD is the only trim to get 20 inch wheels
+ Rest of the exterior is attractive/aggressive even though my black exterior tester didn't show off the accents and body lines very well - white, grey or red would look better
+ I did a highway and city loop and the drivetrain felt responsive and with enough power, especially at slow speeds or taking off from a dead stop. For reference I'm coming from a 2008 Honda Odyssey with a V6 and almost exactly the same peak HP. My Odyssey is a bit quieter under load but nowhere near as responsive. I have tested other cars recently including the 2020 Odyssey, 2020 Pacifica and 2020 Kia Telluride and 2020 Hyundai Palisade. I would rank this drivetrain above all those based on fun to drive even before getting into the fuel efficiency.
+ Handling around corners was very good and not too rough over some bumps even with the sport suspension and 20 inch wheels in the XSE FWD, at least in my opinion based on a short drive. The XSE is very firm though so I might need a longer test drive with everyone else in the family to come along to really say whether it might be too firm.
+ Steering feel was not bad. I think the Pacifica has a little better feel. The 2020 Odyssey has the worst steering feel by far. My 2008 Odyssey actually has pretty good steering since it's old school hydraulic rather than electric power steering.
- Interior felt a little cramped, definitely smaller than my 2008 Odyssey but maybe consistent with the 2020 Odyssey and Pacifica. At 6'2", I definitely would wish for more interior height in all three rows. I fit but an inch more height would have been nice. The floor seems more chunky than in my 2008 Odyssey, also I feel the ride height is quite a bit higher - this might be to fit the HV battery in the floor. The cargo area is also smaller than my 2008 Odyssey, but again probably on par with the modern minivan competition.
- Not a fan of the grey interior in the XSE. I'm ok with Softex but these seats and interior finishes didn't impress. I wish I could get the beige Softex interior from the XLE in the XSE. My wife also wished for a lumbar support on the passenger side.
- Didn't seem like there were any deals to be had at the moment, but that's not unexpected given limited supply/availability right now, at least in Canada.
Overall I would put the 2021 Sienna at the very top of my list of three row family vehicles. If I didn't already have a minivan that works well, I would definitely go ahead with the 2021 Sienna. It's just a little hard to justify trading up when my 2008 Odyssey still works well and in some respects is actually better such as more interior and cargo room, real leather, colour scheme, etc. I only get 16-17 mpg in city driving, but don't drive that much right now.
![Tire Motor vehicle Wheel Automotive mirror Mode of transport]()
+ The 20 inch wheels look really nice, even though they are plastic clad aluminum and not real aluminum alloy. The wheels alone are part of the reason why I'm attracted to the XSE FWD, which along with the Limited FWD is the only trim to get 20 inch wheels
+ Rest of the exterior is attractive/aggressive even though my black exterior tester didn't show off the accents and body lines very well - white, grey or red would look better
+ I did a highway and city loop and the drivetrain felt responsive and with enough power, especially at slow speeds or taking off from a dead stop. For reference I'm coming from a 2008 Honda Odyssey with a V6 and almost exactly the same peak HP. My Odyssey is a bit quieter under load but nowhere near as responsive. I have tested other cars recently including the 2020 Odyssey, 2020 Pacifica and 2020 Kia Telluride and 2020 Hyundai Palisade. I would rank this drivetrain above all those based on fun to drive even before getting into the fuel efficiency.
+ Handling around corners was very good and not too rough over some bumps even with the sport suspension and 20 inch wheels in the XSE FWD, at least in my opinion based on a short drive. The XSE is very firm though so I might need a longer test drive with everyone else in the family to come along to really say whether it might be too firm.
+ Steering feel was not bad. I think the Pacifica has a little better feel. The 2020 Odyssey has the worst steering feel by far. My 2008 Odyssey actually has pretty good steering since it's old school hydraulic rather than electric power steering.
- Interior felt a little cramped, definitely smaller than my 2008 Odyssey but maybe consistent with the 2020 Odyssey and Pacifica. At 6'2", I definitely would wish for more interior height in all three rows. I fit but an inch more height would have been nice. The floor seems more chunky than in my 2008 Odyssey, also I feel the ride height is quite a bit higher - this might be to fit the HV battery in the floor. The cargo area is also smaller than my 2008 Odyssey, but again probably on par with the modern minivan competition.
- Not a fan of the grey interior in the XSE. I'm ok with Softex but these seats and interior finishes didn't impress. I wish I could get the beige Softex interior from the XLE in the XSE. My wife also wished for a lumbar support on the passenger side.
- Didn't seem like there were any deals to be had at the moment, but that's not unexpected given limited supply/availability right now, at least in Canada.
Overall I would put the 2021 Sienna at the very top of my list of three row family vehicles. If I didn't already have a minivan that works well, I would definitely go ahead with the 2021 Sienna. It's just a little hard to justify trading up when my 2008 Odyssey still works well and in some respects is actually better such as more interior and cargo room, real leather, colour scheme, etc. I only get 16-17 mpg in city driving, but don't drive that much right now.
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Like this?
New 2021 Toyota Sienna XSE 7 Passenger in Westminster | 00T10645 | Koons Westminster Toyota
Browse online for a New 2021 Toyota Sienna XSE 7 Passenger in Westminster. We have a large selection of new and used Toyotas in MD. Come in or schedule an at-home test drive today.
www.koonstoyotawestminster.com
No but thanks. I was referring to Limited AWD that doesn't have dark interior.Like this?
New 2021 Toyota Sienna XSE 7 Passenger in Westminster | 00T10645 | Koons Westminster Toyota
Browse online for a New 2021 Toyota Sienna XSE 7 Passenger in Westminster. We have a large selection of new and used Toyotas in MD. Come in or schedule an at-home test drive today.
Could try to order exactly what you want, but maybe this?
www.alexandriatoyota.com
105 New Cars Trucks SUVs in Stock | Jack Taylor's Alexandria Toyota
Browse pictures and detailed information about the great selection of 105 new Toyota cars, trucks, and SUVs in the Jack Taylor's Alexandria Toyota inventory.
www.alexandriatoyota.com
Wow, oh wow!!!! Thanks so much!Could try to order exactly what you want, but maybe this?
105 New Cars Trucks SUVs in Stock | Jack Taylor's Alexandria Toyota
Browse pictures and detailed information about the great selection of 105 new Toyota cars, trucks, and SUVs in the Jack Taylor's Alexandria Toyota inventory.
So this is my offer from themCould try to order exactly what you want, but maybe this?
105 New Cars Trucks SUVs in Stock | Jack Taylor's Alexandria Toyota
Browse pictures and detailed information about the great selection of 105 new Toyota cars, trucks, and SUVs in the Jack Taylor's Alexandria Toyota inventory.
MSRP: $52,593.00
Your Exclusive "Carnow - Chat" Price: $47,799.00*
Processing Fee: $789.00
Sales Tax (MD): $3,121.66
Freight: $1,045.00
DMV Fees (MD): $325.00
I'm trying to get the freight charge off which they're not budging and also I thought Virginia processing fees was capped at $250? Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
I haven't bought a new car in ages so I'm trying to get the best price possible.
Thanks again @peart504
Update: I signed and took delivery of a XSE FWD in Ruby Flare Pearl. I have put about 400 km on it so far and absolutely love it!
![Wheel Tire Car Vehicle Motor vehicle]()
I was lucky to find one in stock in the colour I wanted at a Toronto area dealer.
It's a very comfortable highway cruiser and great around the city too.
The cargo area behind the third row could be bigger but is probably competitive in the segment.
Maybe I'm imagining it but this one feels like it has more headroom than the other 2021 Siennas I test drove. Also there is definitely no rainbow effect on the infotainment display when wearing polarized sunglasses which is very odd since it was something that was very noticable on another 2021 Sienna I test drove.
With cold winter weather and a lot of short drives, fuel economy has been good but below ratings. Probably high 20s or low 30s MPG, which is still pretty good in my book. The weird thing is that based on distance driven to date and predicted distance to empty it shows a total range of 1,132 km, which I think would work out to more than the total range if I achieved the rated fuel economy (i.e. 18 gallons x 36mpg = 648 miles or 1,037 km).
![Speedometer Trip computer Odometer Gauge Automotive design]()
Anyway fuel economy is great whichever way you look at it and would only get better with warmer weather and longer trips.
Performance is not bad either. I have no problem keeping up with traffic or merging on the highway. It does sound like a 4 cylinder but it has the punch of a bigger engine. I use a OBD port reader to check ICE engine rpm as I'm driving and it has a lot of punch even at 2.0-2.5k rpm. As part of good break-in, I've tried to vary the RPMs but it's actually hard to hold around 3k RPM or more because it's pulling so hard and getting too quickly up to speed and settling into EV mode at cruising speed!
I was lucky to find one in stock in the colour I wanted at a Toronto area dealer.
It's a very comfortable highway cruiser and great around the city too.
The cargo area behind the third row could be bigger but is probably competitive in the segment.
Maybe I'm imagining it but this one feels like it has more headroom than the other 2021 Siennas I test drove. Also there is definitely no rainbow effect on the infotainment display when wearing polarized sunglasses which is very odd since it was something that was very noticable on another 2021 Sienna I test drove.
With cold winter weather and a lot of short drives, fuel economy has been good but below ratings. Probably high 20s or low 30s MPG, which is still pretty good in my book. The weird thing is that based on distance driven to date and predicted distance to empty it shows a total range of 1,132 km, which I think would work out to more than the total range if I achieved the rated fuel economy (i.e. 18 gallons x 36mpg = 648 miles or 1,037 km).
Anyway fuel economy is great whichever way you look at it and would only get better with warmer weather and longer trips.
Performance is not bad either. I have no problem keeping up with traffic or merging on the highway. It does sound like a 4 cylinder but it has the punch of a bigger engine. I use a OBD port reader to check ICE engine rpm as I'm driving and it has a lot of punch even at 2.0-2.5k rpm. As part of good break-in, I've tried to vary the RPMs but it's actually hard to hold around 3k RPM or more because it's pulling so hard and getting too quickly up to speed and settling into EV mode at cruising speed!
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
