[MBCAdreamin]

Love our 2013 Limited so much, we're looking at replacing it with a new one. Our concern is the decreased total horsepower on long interstate up-hill grades, and not being able to keep up with traffic. Specifically, if the extra horsepower from the battery becomes no-longer available due to the long uphill driving time in a fully loaded (at max vehicle gross weight) scenario, in which case the vehicle would go down to gasoline-only available horsepower. We'd hate to be going significantly below the speed limit, hoping everyone coming from behind doesn't rear-end us! Never got rear-ended, but had the nerve-wracking experience many times in a 4-cylinder jeep (before kids), and don't want to be there again! Hoping to get responses from people with time in the Rockies. No offense to the East-Coasters, we love it there too, but its just not the same long sustained up-hill grades at interstate speeds (cheap Jeep did fine out East too). We'd like to buy new, but a used gasoline 2020 or earlier isn't out of the question if the hybrid is too weak for the interstate Rocky Mountains. Thank you for your time!

 

[Broncofan]

Its not a concern. Here is why:
The extra horsepower you mentioned is for quck take off (acceleration from a stop). I believe it was Newton who explained that an object at rest tends to stay at rest and an object in motion tends to stay in motion. Thus, once your car gets in motion, it can maintain that motion with far less horsepower than it took to GET the car moving to that speed.

I wont look it up for you, but someone raced a 4th generation Sienna hybrid, (4 cyl) with a third generation V6. Suprisingly, the hybrid won. Yes, that "extra horsepower" was available for this 0 to 60 mph race, while it would not be available up a very long hill.

But, dont worry. I have driven my 2023 Sienna XLE AWD up a very long hill. No, there is no loss of power when the battery discharges. I have no issues or worries "being rear ended" by going to slow. The Sienna has ECO mode, and Sport mode. In the ECO mode, fuel conservation is the priority, while the sport mode "power is the priority". And, the Sienna gives the driver full control, so you push the gas pedal to the floor, the computer realizes you want power, now..and probably temporarily switches to Sport mode, tho you will likely not even feel it.
I have absolutely no trouble keeping up with "traffic", tho I sure could not keep up with, oh say, a Corvette, or even my other car, my old 2005 Caddillac with a V8. As the car guy explains it, sure there are cars with more HP, but the HP on the Sienna is sufficient. The Sienna is "in the sweet spot" in my opinion. No, its not an underpowered VW, and no its not a race car. But, in between, there is the sweet spot where it gets great mileage, but has enough power for what you need.
Caveat:
Even tho Toyota says you can use it as a tow vehicle up to 3500 pounds, if you want to keep up with traffic, dont load it with an extra 3500 pounds of weight, and use it as a tow vehicle. My opinion would be that a Sienna is a lousy tow vehicle. If you want to tow 3500 pounds, frequently, I would get a RAM, Ford, or Chevrolet with a big V8..not a Sienna. However, if you only used your camper once a year to drive to the lake, AND you understand that its underpowered with that much weight, go ahead. Just allow more time.

 

[PeterDi]

Ditto here, just drove 40 miles on hilly interstate with 800 lbs. of noodles for our restaurant. Absolutely no problem for the long uphills

 

[Broncofan]

To add: If I compared, say, my 2005 CAdillac V8, driving up a long hill, with say the Sienna, there is no doubt, that, the Cadillac, by simply pushing the gas, would pass the Sienna. But the Sienna will go easily 65 mph (the speed limit) up the hill going out of Cincinatti. Its about 4 lanes, and the trucks are required to be in the right 2 lanes. Trucks move, depending on how much they are loaded, sometimes, 40 mph, or even less. I pass them up going 65, easily. But, my Cadillac could pass them going 80. I dont need that extra 15 mph, I drive the speed limit anyway.

 

[MBCAdreamin]

Thank you for your time crafting your very thoughtful replies!

 

[Sienna9816]

I went uphill on Vail Pass fully loaded. I sustained 65MPH+. I was one of the fastest on the road. IIRC, speed limit was 60 or so. Interesting part was that electric motors would kick in and off every few mins.

In short, G4 has more than enough power for what you're asking about.

Lookup notes on Grapevine in CA drives here too. Vail pass and Grapevine are the only two climbs mentioned here so far that have managed to useup HV battery (upto last 10%) while driving.

 

[cougarhound]

The Hybrid has plenty of power. I suggest doing a test drive.

 

[Broncofan]

Vail Pass is the ultimate test. It goes across the Rocky Mountains, and across the continental divide. I70, from/to Denver to Glenwood Springs Colorado, has many many "runaway truck ramps" because trucks, with inexperienced MOUNTAIN drivers easily destroy their brakes on that very very long, steep hill. Once the brakes are overheated too much, then "its a runaway truck" and will crash into anything in its path. Thus, the runaway truck ramps. We frequently tested vehicles to see how much speed they can maintain going up that steep hill. While I have not driven VAil in my Sienna, "Sienna9816" confirmed my drive up a much shorter, but probably as steep hill out of Cincinatti. Vail is about 10x Cincinnatti/Kentucky big hills. I could tell, however it would do great, and there would be no problem keeping up with average or above average horsepower cars. Denver is the MILE high city, and Vail pass is 10,662 feet elevation. That is about 2 miles UP, and about a mile UP from the Mile High Denver. Im unaware of an Interstate hiway that climbs longer and higher than VAil, where many cars and most heavy trucks cant keep up. I once owned a VW Bus, and I think around 40 to 50 mph is as fast as it would go up Vail. The high altitude means there is less air, and cars dont run as efficient with less air. We dont run as efficient there either! Many people get "altitude sickness" at places like VAIL, Leadville, Silverton Colorado who are not adjusted to the altitude.

IN short, dont worry about keeping up in the Sienna, if it can do vail at 65, then it can keep up anywhere.

 

[20swrt]

Thank you for your time crafting your very thoughtful replies!

It took me 20 yrs of skepticism before warming up to hybrids. Toyota and Enterprise rents these vans. I suggest you rent one and load it up and take it to that freeway you dread the most.

Now - buying one is another “uphill battle”. Good Luck.

 

[Dimitrij]

Love our 2013 Limited so much, we're looking at replacing it with a new one. Our concern is the decreased total horsepower on long interstate up-hill grades, and not being able to keep up with traffic. Specifically, if the extra horsepower from the battery becomes no-longer available due to the long uphill driving time in a fully loaded (at max vehicle gross weight) scenario, in which case the vehicle would go down to gasoline-only available horsepower. We'd hate to be going significantly below the speed limit, hoping everyone coming from behind doesn't rear-end us! Never got rear-ended, but had the nerve-wracking experience many times in a 4-cylinder jeep (before kids), and don't want to be there again! Hoping to get responses from people with time in the Rockies. No offense to the East-Coasters, we love it there too, but its just not the same long sustained up-hill grades at interstate speeds (cheap Jeep did fine out East too). We'd like to buy new, but a used gasoline 2020 or earlier isn't out of the question if the hybrid is too weak for the interstate Rocky Mountains. Thank you for your time!

On behalf of the "East-Coasters", no offence taken.

The proverbial 97% of scientists agree that a X% grade is as steep in Appalachia as it is in the Rockies .

Apart from the Appalachian highways and interstates, where the grade is limited to 6% I think, we have driven on very steep and winding mountain roads, like the Skyline Drive (with grades 10% and above).

The Gen 4 has a 186 hp ICE, which I describe as "adequate" for the purpose. Looking at the modest drop in fuel efficiency when driving in the moutains, I would conclude the engine is reasonably comfortable with the workload.

 

[Sooner1]

we have taken our hybrid on two Rockie Mtn trips, one all over the San Juan’s, and a trip to Yellowstone. Our van was not fully loaded. We had zero issues on the long steep grades. On mountain passes where there was a passing lane, we were usually passing slower traffic. Our previous vehicle was a Subaru Forester and it is a gutless wonder compared with the Sienna hybrid.

 

[cougarhound]

If these guys can make it up to Aspen, I think you'll be fine.

 

[texas911]

I wont look it up for you, but someone raced a 4th generation Sienna hybrid, (4 cyl) with a third generation V6. Suprisingly, the hybrid won.

While the hybrid Sienna isn't slow, the previous gen V6 was is faster.

Toyota Sienna 0-60 Times - Updated 2023 - 0-60 Specs

The Authority of 0-60 Times for Cars

www.0-60specs.com

 

[jazzersaxman]

Love our 2013 Limited so much, we're looking at replacing it with a new one. Our concern is the decreased total horsepower on long interstate up-hill grades, and not being able to keep up with traffic. Specifically, if the extra horsepower from the battery becomes no-longer available due to the long uphill driving time in a fully loaded (at max vehicle gross weight) scenario, in which case the vehicle would go down to gasoline-only available horsepower. We'd hate to be going significantly below the speed limit, hoping everyone coming from behind doesn't rear-end us! Never got rear-ended, but had the nerve-wracking experience many times in a 4-cylinder jeep (before kids), and don't want to be there again! Hoping to get responses from people with time in the Rockies. No offense to the East-Coasters, we love it there too, but its just not the same long sustained up-hill grades at interstate speeds (cheap Jeep did fine out East too). We'd like to buy new, but a used gasoline 2020 or earlier isn't out of the question if the hybrid is too weak for the interstate Rocky Mountains. Thank you for your time!

I also agree with the others. While acceleration isn't the swiftest, the overall power and consistency is fine. I've had no problems keeping up or passing vehicles on steep, miles long mountain passes.

 

[pamhar]

While the hybrid Sienna isn't slow, the previous gen V6 was is faster.

Toyota Sienna 0-60 Times - Updated 2023 - 0-60 Specs

The Authority of 0-60 Times for Cars

www.0-60specs.com

Think that race was with V6 Sienna before it got the HP boost from 26x to 29x.

 

[pamhar]

we have taken our hybrid on two Rockie Mtn trips, one all over the San Juan’s, and a trip to Yellowstone. Our van was not fully loaded. We had zero issues on the long steep grades. On mountain passes where there was a passing lane, we were usually passing slower traffic. Our previous vehicle was a Subaru Forester and it is a gutless wonder compared with the Sienna hybrid.

Can confirm that Subaru are lacking for mountain passes especially with the crappy bridgestone tires.

 

[exmachina08]

I can echo the above sentiments regarding Subaru's. Our previous car was a 2018 Crosstrek and it was not capable of passing on a slope. Literally unsafe levels of power on that 145hp 4 cylinder.

Going to throw in my $.02 having packed our 2022 XSE AWD to the absolute brim with people and gear and then driving all the way up to Whistler. TLR Absolutely not a problem

Long form, we had a full car with 7 people, a packed back end full of luggage and gear as well as a roof rack full of ski's and snowboard gear. We stopped and picked up groceries as well before we started our ascent. Quite literally not a cubic foot of storage available was not utilized. Probably pushing the load limit of the vehicle/tires but aside from the well documented suspension squat and resulting misaimed headlights this drivetrain barely noticed. I tend to have a lead foot and regularly run 10+ the speed limit even on the uphill stretches and I never once felt like this van was underpowered. The hybrid CVT keeps the motor humming in the powerband at all times and the switchbacks kept the top speed more limited than the available power. I even passed a couple times using the slow vehicle lanes and it still performed better than my old T100 truck in 5th gear. Love this van, love the powertrain, and love the e-AWD.

 

[krisicat]

Love our 2013 Limited so much, we're looking at replacing it with a new one. Our concern is the decreased total horsepower on long interstate up-hill grades, and not being able to keep up with traffic. Specifically, if the extra horsepower from the battery becomes no-longer available due to the long uphill driving time in a fully loaded (at max vehicle gross weight) scenario, in which case the vehicle would go down to gasoline-only available horsepower. We'd hate to be going significantly below the speed limit, hoping everyone coming from behind doesn't rear-end us! Never got rear-ended, but had the nerve-wracking experience many times in a 4-cylinder jeep (before kids), and don't want to be there again! Hoping to get responses from people with time in the Rockies. No offense to the East-Coasters, we love it there too, but its just not the same long sustained up-hill grades at interstate speeds (cheap Jeep did fine out East too). We'd like to buy new, but a used gasoline 2020 or earlier isn't out of the question if the hybrid is too weak for the interstate Rocky Mountains. Thank you for your time!
[/QUOTEJust thought you would like to know the new ones are shorter and the 2nd row seats are not removable. Probably more things changed, but those are the 2 main ones for us. Oh, being shorter means the sliding doors don’t open as far and the entrance us shorter. ]

 

[floridanative]

The proverbial 97% of scientists agree that a X% grade is as steep in Appalachia as it is in the Rockies .

Not exactly. They may be just as steep, but they are not nearly as long, and more importantly, are not at nearly as high of an altitude. Altitude greatly robs normally aspirated engines of power and makes a huge difference. Throwing in the fact that grades are much longer in the Rockies than the Appalachians only makes matters worse.

So, not all X% grades are created equal, and those in the Rockies are typically far more demanding than the ones on the east coast.

-Mike

 

[dan33]

I agree with floridanative, East coast sucks and can't compare.