The middle 8th seat is removable and slides along with the driver side seat. Does not contain cupholder on the back of it, if you where to fold it down. If removed, your left with cup holders that lay on the bottom attached to driver side seat thats not removable, which kinda blocks the pathway. The 8th seat can be stored in the back in a cubby hole. Both captain chairs have arm rest on each side

 

This is great, thank you! I don’t see any downside to the 8 seat configuration compared to the 7 seater based on your s description and photos

 

I thought people were having issues with the middle part getting caught on their all weather mats as well?

 

With all of the thought Toyota put into the redesign, I'm still disappointed they didn't address the poor middle seat implementation. Thanks @Davidm426 for the photos!

 

Here's quick photos. 2021 Le 8seater

 

• Does the middle seat fold down and have any cupholders or similar, like the Odyssey's middle 2nd row seat?

I believe the 8 seat implementation in the Sienna falls behind the Odyssey's implementation. The Odyssey's attaches to the floor, whereas the Sienna attaches to the left 2nd row seat. The odyssey of course then would have these U hooks on the floor for the seat to attach to, but at least you could run rubber mats over them. If I had to do it again, I would probably just go with the 7 seat for the Sienna.

 

I believe the 8 seat implementation in the Sienna falls behind the Odyssey's implementation. The Odyssey's attaches to the floor, whereas the Sienna attaches to the left 2nd row seat. The odyssey of course then would have these U hooks on the floor for the seat to attach to, but at least you could run rubber mats over them. If I had to do it again, I would probably just go with the 7 seat for the Sienna.

The new Sienna did nothing to improve upon it's eight seat configuration. In fact they purposely made it impossible to completely remove the second row seat and track.... Unless you want to drop the gas tank etc etc. Also, Why has the car industry and lobbyists not changed the arcane laws of gross vehicle weight 6000 lb limit classifications which prevent Toyota from giving you a decent size tires and spare tires and 8 seat configuration, excetera excetera.

 

Well, it doesn't take much time to find at least two reviews using 8 passenger version, so here you go 2021 Toyota Sienna | Minivan Family Review - YouTube Key Highlights of 2021 Sienna XLE: Full Review, Interior, Safety, MPG, Much More! - YouTube

 

I was hesitant to go with the 8 seater configuration but now that I have it, I really like the extra center console/cup holders when not using the seat. I wanted to hijack the thread to ask, does anyone have a solution to that slit in the front that will easily catch cookie crumbs and french fries? I figured I would just put a piece of electrical tape over it to keep gunk from getting in there over time, but would like something that wont leave a sticky residue over time (maybe a custom rubber cut-out or something).

 

Best solution is not to eat cookies and french fries in the van!!

I've looked for similar for many vehicles and could never find anything so just vacuum with a crevice attachment.

 

the only downside of the 7 seater is you can never seat 3 people in the 2nd row (Like a normal sedan). This may not sound so bad. But when you have 3 kids and decide to load luggage, skis, or anything bulky - the 8 seater is a godsend.

 

One big advantage of the 7 seater is that you can't take 3 kids and a bunch of luggage.

Both of my kids are grown and out of the house, we're actually at the grandkid stage now.
Because the parents tend to go along, we are taking two vehicles, anyway, so it's not a problem.

I have never even seen an 8-seater, let alone gotten inside one, but I have fellow workers and a bunch of test equipment in my van several days a week, I'm glad I don't have to worry about that hump in the middle.

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Just search for Sienna LE review videos, lots out there. The LE only comes with 8 seats.

Part of the reason we downgraded our order from XSE to LE was to get the bench 2nd row. If we have our dog with us, he basically takes the entire 3rd row, and we're basically left with a very large 4 seat vehicle. So the 8-seat configuration is more practical for us.

 

One reason i will insist on a 7 seater is if I had 4 to 5 kids. Walking thru the middle aisle is more practical than messing around with folding the seats up everytime you enter or exit the van.

 

How do you walk through the middle with the cup holders in place? Is there a cover with a flat base? I am looking for something like that. Thanks.

 

I've had both a 2019 Sienna XLE and now a 2022 Sienna XLE 8 seater. To me, it depends on how big the person stuck in the 8th seat is as to whether it's useful or not. The one time we actually used the 8th seater was a case of unexpectedly throwing a mother in law in the vehicle and having one of my skinny adult children move to the 8th seat. He was miserable the whole time. It's good for maybe a small, skinny person that doesn't have to have a booster, but otherwise, in my opinion, essentially useless. I have it only because when I got lucky enough to get a 2022 XLE it was the only configuration available.

 

If you’re carting around a Girl Scout troop, that 8th seat is useful

 

What @20swrt said and also the installed 8th seat makes the 2nd row bench-like for napping or use as a mobile office