[bcemail]

Hello! We are getting very close to needing to replace our aging Odyssey, and are looking at the Hybrid Siennas. Read some really good reviews and like the idea of saving some $$ on gas. Also read about different problems, of course, but seems like all the minivans have those.

We are going to buy used, and I'm trying to narrow down what I'm looking for. I started to read through the trim packages and had some questions. Looks like even the base packages will have a lot more tech than our current van, which is great. Does the LE not have power rear doors? I thought that would be standard but then it was listed under XLE as adding "Hands-free dual power sliding side doors". Also, do certain trim levels include rear passenger screens? We prefer not to have these.

Other than that, what trim packages would you definitely prefer or avoid? Also, any reasons to try and get a certain year, or all they all pretty consistent? I'm thinking my max would be about 50K miles, and then would hopefully be able to put 100k+ onto the van.

Sounds like I will need to find a new way to transport sheets of plywood since the middle seats don't remove. I was able to buy and install a trailer hitch for my Odyssey, should it be as easy with a Sienna? Then maybe I'll start looking into utility trailers...

Thanks for any and all shopping advice!

 

[pamhar]

LE has power sliding doors but no the kick sensor so not hands free.

Screens if on windows can be pulled down. Think all have in 2nd row but only higher trims in 3rd row.

 

[circus]

Found dealerships asking more for the used one's than what they cost new, so be wary. If possible, I'd get another year out of the Odyssey, time for the craziness to wane. Gleaned from Jeff Bezos comment.

 

[bcemail]

LE has power sliding doors but no the kick sensor so not hands free.

Screens if on windows can be pulled down. Think all have in 2nd row but only higher trims in 3rd row.

Ah didn't even think of kick sensors! (Kids these days...)
I meant screens like video screens for DVD etc. Do certain trims have those? Thanks!

 

[Dimitrij]

I am with @circus on this. Mother Nature doesn't tolerate high levels of crazy, so expect the supply-demand equation to settle a little in the next few months. This, in turn, will cause the second-hand Siennas NOT to cost more than the new ones.

 

[Velox003]

LCD screens only in upper trim or with tech packages.

You can remove the middle seats, it is not easy and the seats are heavy. Look it up on youtube.

 

[bcemail]

Thanks all! Yes hoping to delay as much as possible just want to be ready if we need to buy all of a sudden.
Good to know about the seats. Anything of be missing out on with the LE other than comforts/upgraded things? Something that would make you definitely want a certain trim level?

 

[kyledamron]

Thanks all! Yes hoping to delay as much as possible just want to be ready if we need to buy all of a sudden.
Good to know about the seats. Anything of be missing out on with the LE other than comforts/upgraded things? Something that would make you definitely want a certain trim level?

The LE does not have a power tailgate, and does not come with lumbar adjustment for driver. Also doesn't have smart-key access.

 

[20swrt]

Sounds like I will need to find a new way to transport sheets of plywood since the middle seats don't remove. I was able to buy and install a trailer hitch for my Odyssey, should it be as easy with a Sienna? Then maybe I'll start looking into utility trailers...

Thanks for any and all shopping advice!

I was only able to fit up to 6ft long pieces of plywood. Anything longer (4x8 plywood) - i put overhead (Yakima roof rack). But it is also limited to how much lumber you plan to move.

 

[Templeton]

The LE does not have a power tailgate, and does not come with lumbar adjustment for driver. Also doesn't have smart-key access.

What are the main differences between a "smart key" and just regular remote key fob that might come with an LE ?

 

[bullfrog23414]

What are the main differences between a "smart key" and just regular remote key fob that might come with an LE ?

Push-button/keyless start, car locks/unlocks just by touching the handle (if the key fob is in your pocket).

 

[Templeton]

Push-button/keyless start, car locks/unlocks just by touching the handle (if the key fob is in your pocket).

Thanks, but I don't think that I follow. According to toyota,
LE = "Remote keyless entry system with lock, unlock, panic, and Push Button Start"
XLE = "Smart Key System on five doors with Push Button Start and remote illuminated entry"

Sure, there are more doors that work with XLE and above. But what exactly is the difference between "remote keyless entry system" and "smart key system"? I don't doubt that there are differences, I just don't understand exactly what they are.

 

[kyledamron]

Thanks, but I don't think that I follow. According to toyota,
LE = "Remote keyless entry system with lock, unlock, panic, and Push Button Start"
XLE = "Smart Key System on five doors with Push Button Start and remote illuminated entry"

Sure, there are more doors that work with XLE and above. But what exactly is the difference between "remote keyless entry system" and "smart key system"? I don't doubt that there are differences, I just don't understand exactly what they are.

Remote Keyless Entry means that you need to physically hit the button on your keyfob to get the car open. Smart key means you can just leave it in your pocket and walk up to the door handle and it'll unlock when you put your hand in it.

 

[Templeton]

Remote Keyless Entry means that you need to physically hit the button on your keyfob to get the car open. Smart key means you can just leave it in your pocket and walk up to the door handle and it'll unlock when you put your hand in it.

Ah, now I understand, thanks.

Interesting to me that our bare bones 08 toyota prius with zero options came stock with smart keys.

But, with the sienna, you gotta get an XLE to get that?? Wow, kind of surprising.

 

[Sienna9816]

Thanks all! Yes hoping to delay as much as possible just want to be ready if we need to buy all of a sudden.



Good to know about the seats. Anything of be missing out on with the LE other than comforts/upgraded things? Something that would make you definitely want a certain trim level?

My 0.02: If you have time now, put a refundable deposit for a unit with your must-have features at MSRP. It will be cheaper than buying used. Check toyota.com sienna brochure for detailed feature explanation and trim comparison.

 

[balitiiger]

My 0.02: If you have time now, put a refundable deposit for a unit with your must-have features at MSRP. It will be cheaper than buying used. Check toyota.com sienna brochure for detailed feature explanation and trim comparison.

That sounds like solid advice to me.

 

[jseyfert3]

Thanks all! Yes hoping to delay as much as possible just want to be ready if we need to buy all of a sudden.
Good to know about the seats. Anything of be missing out on with the LE other than comforts/upgraded things? Something that would make you definitely want a certain trim level?

To be clear, while they can be removed, they aren't made to be removed and it's probably not something you want to do to get a sheet of plywood. I think normally people only remove them for campervan builds or if they never need to use the middle seats and want the extra cargo space.

 

[circus]

To be clear, while they can be removed, they aren't made to be removed and it's probably not something you want to do to get a sheet of plywood. I think normally people only remove them for campervan builds or if they never need to use the middle seats and want the extra cargo space.

And there's an, ever present, annoying air bag idiot light.

 

[Dimitrij]

And there's an, ever present, annoying air bag idiot light.

I am pretty sure you can buy a dongle-like jumper that will fool the idiot airbag light into thinking the airbag is still attached.

The G2 Prius was well ahead of its time in many respects and SKS was just one of the smaller "cool things" just like the rear view camera that came standard in all models. Back then, only lux/premium lines had both of those. It was said that the G2 didn't make money till the G3 which dropped both of those features and others in the base model. De-contenting and moving features up the model line is, unfortunately for the consumer, SOP across manufacturers to this day.

This is true; but also let's remember that it wasn't the cheapest car of this size. IIRC, $30K was what people typically paid for it - almost twice as much as for the likes of the Corolla and non-Si Civic. I guess in 2022 money the Gen 2 would be like $45K, which is in the premium price range for a compact car.

 

[fotomoto]

Interesting to me that our bare bones 08 toyota prius with zero options came stock with smart keys.

But, with the sienna, you gotta get an XLE to get that?? Wow, kind of surprising.

The G2 Prius was well ahead of its time in many respects and SKS was just one of the smaller "cool things" just like the rear view camera that came standard in all models. Back then, only lux/premium lines had both of those. It was said that the G2 didn't make money till the G3 which dropped both of those features and others in the base model. De-contenting and moving features up the model line is, unfortunately for the consumer, SOP across manufacturers to this day.