[bmccav]

My experience first is with a Gen 1, year 2000, 3.0L. Ran it hard for 20 years and sometimes towed a 750# utility trailer loaded with a dirt bike or a pop-up camper. For trips over the coast range it would drag a bit on the long uphills - maybe 55mh. When not towing it had all the power we needed for acceleration, highway speed, and hills. During that time I got a Gen 3, year 2014, with the 3.5L. It was all I could do to not spin the tires when pulling away from red lights/stop signs. It felt like a powerhouse race car engine. I don't remember mpg's on it. Swapped it out for a 4Runner that guzzles gas like the way I drank beer in college. Finally parted with the Gen 1 and got a Gen 4, year 2022. I feel it's quicker off the line than the 3.5L due to AWD and no wheel spin. Very torquey. We always pack heavy when travelling and I have not noticed any problem maintaining highway speed but it can drag a little over the long hills on the coast range. Again, about 55mph. That's a hell of a lot better than my '68 VW Westfalia but what it lacked in power it made up for with character, something Sienna's just don't have.

 

[Dimitrij]

The powertrain is adequate for the van's weight and purpose. I haven't experienced any problems with overtaking, merging, or just accelerating. I would even say the Gen 4 accelerates a little better that what you'd expect from a 5,400 lbs (with two humans inside) and 245 hp peak, maybe because ours is e-AWD. The rear axle has a 50 kW - I think - electric motor, not huge, but it does add some torque, it seems.

There may be two reasons why some people think the Gen 4 is underpowered: the even, rubbery acceleration (without the gear shifting sensation), and the relatively noisy engine when the van is climbing a steep grade.

 

[mrjimwalsh2]

For most minivan uses, the 2.5 liter ICE hybrid is ideal. The electric motor adds power on startup and climbing hills. But remember that the power from the batteries must be replenished. So in applications where continuous power is required, the V6 would be a better choice. If you are towing a heavy trailer or a full load of passengers on the highway, the hybrid set up is not ideal.
But if half of your driving is around town, the Hybrid is the way to go. I see many minivans carrying just the driver. In this case the hybrid is the best choice. For the latest generation of the Sienna, it's the only choice.
For maximum cargo utility, or towing, the other minivans are better choices. I was looking at the Sienna until I discovered the middle row of seats cannot be easily removed, nor can they be folded down under the floor.

 

[bearx16]

I just traded in a 2014 Nissan Quest 3.0 for the '23 XSE. I've only had the XSE 5 days but the first thing I notice that acceleration from a stop is quicker w/the XSE and acceleration to pass is just as good if not better, this is while in Auto mode. I am by no means a HP expert just an oid guy that gets in and drives.

 

[Bill in Tulsa]

In a previous post I had stated that I was looking at purchasing a 2020 Sienna as that is the last year for the V6.

Honda continues to produce the V6 only.

The Gen4 Sienna now only comes with the 4 cylinder. It seems with the size of the body that the 4 cylinder engine would not provide the power and reliability of the V6. Comments from a majority of owners indicate slow acceleration, especially with a full load of people and cargo aboard.

I have 2015 Rav4 and the 2.5 engine is more than sufficient for this frame.

As the current owner of a 2010 Sienna and previous owner of a 2002 Sienna the V6 was more than sufficient when hauling cargo and people.

Just curious of owners of the 2021+ Gen 4 owners of your experience with this engine.

In a previous post I had stated that I was looking at purchasing a 2020 Sienna as that is the last year for the V6.

Honda continues to produce the V6 only.

The Gen4 Sienna now only comes with the 4 cylinder. It seems with the size of the body that the 4 cylinder engine would not provide the power and reliability of the V6. Comments from a majority of owners indicate slow acceleration, especially with a full load of people and cargo aboard.

I have 2015 Rav4 and the 2.5 engine is more than sufficient for this frame.

As the current owner of a 2010 Sienna and previous owner of a 2002 Sienna the V6 was more than sufficient when hauling cargo and people.

Just curious of owners of the 2021+ Gen 4 owners of your experience with this engine.

2020 Sienna is GEN4

 

[bullfrog23414]

2020 Sienna is GEN4

Nope. Gen4 started in 2021.

 

[Bmac13]

Not so much worried about the horsepower, I'm more concerned about the 4cyl in the Sienna being able to pull that large frame the Sienna has become.

Years of marketing have led many of us to believe number of cylinders matters. It does not. Power characteristics are what really matters.

Our 2022 Sienna has towed a 3,000 pound boat up a 5% grade with absolutely no issues. I had no trouble pulling out and passing semi trucks when needed.

A good portion of engines in 80,000 pound trucks are 6 cylinders. We should be able to haul around 10% of that with 2 less cylinders. Years ago we went from V8's to V6's and everyone said the same thing. 6 cylinders were not enough to tow. We have since moved to 4 cylinders with turbo's and/or hybrid systems. Engine size and number of cylinders may make for great marketing but real world torque and power is what really matters.

 

[Dimitrij]

Nope. Gen4 started in 2021.

Maybe he meant that the Gen 4 Sienna went on sale in 2020? But yes, the 2020 Sienna is Gen 3.

Years of marketing have led many of us to believe number of cylinders matters. It does not. Power characteristics are what really matters.

Our 2022 Sienna has towed a 3,000 pound boat up a 5% grade with absolutely no issues. I had no trouble pulling out and passing semi trucks when needed.

A good portion of engines in 80,000 pound trucks are 6 cylinders. We should be able to haul around 10% of that with 2 less cylinders. Years ago we went from V8's to V6's and everyone said the same thing. 6 cylinders were not enough to tow. We have since moved to 4 cylinders with turbo's and/or hybrid systems. Engine size and number of cylinders may make for great marketing but real world torque and power is what really matters.

Yeah, yeah .... but 6 cylinders is more than 4. You know, the morer, the betterer

I just traded in a 2014 Nissan Quest 3.0 for the '23 XSE. I've only had the XSE 5 days but the first thing I notice that acceleration from a stop is quicker w/the XSE and acceleration to pass is just as good if not better, this is while in Auto mode. I am by no means a HP expert just an oid guy that gets in and drives.

I think in terms of 0-60 the Sienna is on par with the non-PHEV Pacifica and Carnival, and about 1 second slower than the Odyssey.

 

[Bmac13]

Yeah, yeah .... but 6 cylinders is more than 4. You know, the morer, the betterer

Why??

Other than a barrage of advertising and marketing what makes a larger engine with more moving parts better than one with less?

Smaller engines with less moving parts that weigh less can have significant advantages to physically larger more complicated heavier engines.

The market would have moved to smaller engines even quicker if years of marketing had not convinced most folks that bigger is better when it comes to engines. Turbo charging and direct injection has allowed manufacturers to downsize engines and still provide the power desired with much better fuel economy. Toyota now has a 3 cylinder engine in the GR Corolla capable of 300hp.

 

[bearx16]

Why??

Other than a barrage of advertising and marketing what makes a larger engine with more moving parts better than one with less?

Smaller engines with less moving parts that weigh less can have significant advantages to physically larger more complicated heavier engines.

The market would have moved to smaller engines even quicker if years of marketing had not convinced most folks that bigger is better when it comes to engines. Turbo charging and direct injection has allowed manufacturers to downsize engines and still provide the power desired with much better fuel economy. Toyota now has a 3 cylinder engine in the GR Corolla capable of 300hp.

When I was younger a 389 Tri Power sure was fun to drive, broke me in tires and exhausts, still puts a smile on this old face dreaming about my '66 GTO.

 

[Dimitrij]

Why??

Other than a barrage of advertising and marketing what makes a larger engine with more moving parts better than one with less?

Smaller engines with less moving parts that weigh less can have significant advantages to physically larger more complicated heavier engines.

The market would have moved to smaller engines even quicker if years of marketing had not convinced most folks that bigger is better when it comes to engines. Turbo charging and direct injection has allowed manufacturers to downsize engines and still provide the power desired with much better fuel economy. Toyota now has a 3 cylinder engine in the GR Corolla capable of 300hp.

Never mind the 300 hp 3-cyl; the most powerful ICE, used directly for vehicle propulsion, are the 10,000++ hp NK-12 and TP400 turboprops that have one cylinder (sort of .... barely).

 

[cflem]

The only gripe I have in the gen 4 ICE 4 cyl is the inconsistent sound and noises it makes... sometimes its quiet and sounds like a normal 4 cyl... sometimes the other injectors kick in and it sounds like a clicking clack diesel with and lifters... sometimes all the above happens and its just obnoxiously loud... I wish they would have insulated the cabin just a little more on this thing.

 

[bearx16]

The only gripe I have in the gen 4 ICE 4 cyl is the inconsistent sound and noises it makes... sometimes its quiet and sounds like a normal 4 cyl... sometimes the other injectors kick in and it sounds like a clicking clack diesel with and lifters... sometimes all the above happens and its just obnoxiously loud... I wish they would have insulated the cabin just a little more on this thing.

Interesting, I'll have to keep this in my remember box. My 6 day old XSE has not started making any strange noises yet, maybe it hasn't gone through the break in stage, whatever that may be or I haven't tried the rear passenger compartment out, yet.

 

[catfish93]

Also important to note that all other vehicles in the segment have a serpentine belt and the Sienna does not. Electric AC compressor. Electric power steering. Two electric coolant pumps. No alternator because the inverter/generator does that job. So where competing vehicles lose some engine power to drive the accessories, the Sienna can send more of it to the wheels.

 

[fotomoto]

Another bene is just like BEV's, the electric power doesn't lose power at altitude so the boost is always there.

 

[Bill in Tulsa]

Nope. Gen4 started in 2021.

Yes, I had a Typo, the Gen 4 did start 2021... my Bad! Sorry.

 

[DadWagon]

The only gripe I have in the gen 4 ICE 4 cyl is the inconsistent sound and noises it makes... sometimes its quiet and sounds like a normal 4 cyl... sometimes the other injectors kick in and it sounds like a clicking clack diesel with and lifters... sometimes all the above happens and its just obnoxiously loud... I wish they would have insulated the cabin just a little more on this thing.

If I remember correctly, it’s because Toyota wants the ICE wants to get to peak power/efficiency rpm as fast as possible. I do wish they insulated the cabin/firewall more but I can tell from the rest of the vehicle, they tried to save weight everywhere. The plastics are much thinner than Toyotas 20 years ago.

 

[herb07gt]

I’ve had 4’s 6’s $ & 8’s
On straight & flat roads with 2 people great!
However with 6-7 people, in town I want a 6 or v8. 4’s just can’t cut it & mileage is worse.
80% of driving is done in town.
We average 28 @ 68mph on freeway but 14 around town with a 2015 Sienna.

 

[wscan]

I’ve had 4’s 6’s $ & 8’s
On straight & flat roads with 2 people great!
However with 6-7 people, in town I want a 6 or v8. 4’s just can’t cut it & mileage is worse.
80% of driving is done in town.
We average 28 @ 68mph on freeway but 14 around town with a 2015 Sienna.

The hybrid drive train is completely different. Don't discount the 4 cylinder hybrid until you try one. I came from a V6 Honda Odyssey and the Sienna Hybrid is fine. Power is provided by both the ICE and the electric motor together when needed.

 

[Bmac13]

I’ve had 4’s 6’s $ & 8’s
On straight & flat roads with 2 people great!
However with 6-7 people, in town I want a 6 or v8. 4’s just can’t cut it & mileage is worse.
80% of driving is done in town.
We average 28 @ 68mph on freeway but 14 around town with a 2015 Sienna.

Comparisons with previous non-hybrid engines is not in the least relevant. The electric motors in the Sienna have 180hp on their own.

Which of your 6's or V8's got better than 36mpg?