Used 2018 Toyota Sienna Limited Premium 7-Passenger Minivan Review
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2018 Toyota Sienna Limited Premium 7-Passenger Minivan.
Most helpful consumer reviews
j.m alexander,02/24/2019
Limited Premium 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan AWD (3.5L 6cyl 8A)
My 2005 AWD Sienna and I were inseparable. It was a perfect combination of comfort, reliability, features, reliability, performance, and, yes, reliability. The only weaknesses I discovered in more than 13 years were in the electrical system and lack of value in run-flat tires. I remedied the second of those two weakness by purchasing a spare tire and going to traditional tires after the first 3 sets of run-flats. Strengths included a well planned and executed interior. For its time, that Sienna had every feature, from electric doors to tachometer to opening vents to remote start, I could possibly use. Despite its size, the steering was responsive, acceleration was quick and braking was surprisingly good, even when loaded with cargo. Maintenance involved replacing brake pads, one timing belt, buying tires, and performing required oil and transmission fluid changes. When traded, the Sienna had its original catalytic converter, and shocks and struts. Electronics were a problem, with the passage of time being marked by more and more of the interior gauge and accessory lights failing. One of the sliding doors was always temperamental and became extremely sluggish. The 2018 AWD Sienna has a lot to live up to. In many ways, it meets or exceeds its predecessor. The acceleration is smooth and quick. The brakes are outstanding. There is a bit less road noise compared to the previous car, even when it was new. It has a bit more cargo space than the 2005. When loaded, the acceleration was a bit slower than the 2005's, but that is the result of the fuel economy-focused transmission. All of the sliding doors open with pep. One feature I miss on the back hatch door is the resistance closure; the new model requires me to push a button; the key fob no longer closes the hatch, but can open it. The abundance of electronics on the 2018 is both awe-inspiring and a bit intimidating. Features like the 360 degree camera, which I considered an indulgence, are quickly becoming necessities. I miss the remote start, which could be the answer to a prayer after snow storms, softening ice and snow so that cleaning off the van was easier. The Toyota engineers have kept their faith with Sienna lovers, like me. I wish I could make the same statement about the interior design team. Despite having a top of the line model, compared to the older Sienna, the materials have been cheapened and the details I loved have been eliminated. Most egregious is the third row stowage system. I am not a small person; I have long arms. I cannot easily reach the stowage handle, which replaced one of the fabric tabs. Did anyone have a smaller man or a woman attempt to fold up the back row seats before this design was finalized? Toyota: bring back the 2-section front console! I consider the new unit between the front seats to be a black hole in which nothing can be found, especially by someone driving a car. Bring back the front in-door arm rest storage compartments. They were perfect for holding items needed at a moment's notice, especially items which could never be found in the "black hole." The front seat passengers are down one cup holder from earlier interior configurations. Material durability will be an issue for the pop out pair of cup holders and the "hidden" compartment by the vent button. While we are on the subject of that compartment, you could have engineered it ¼" larger to accommodate an EZ Pass or similar item. So, right now, although the 2018 Sienna has a lot to offer and is a delight to drive, it suffers in comparison to older model Siennas, especially in regard to interior engineering and luxury. Those short-comings will be forgiven if the new model proves as reliable and undemanding as the older models.
Six month update: All of my comments above are still pertinent. This 2018 Sienna already had a recall for software updates; the downtime was short. The mechanical systems are working nicely. One shortcoming I hadn't noticed until our snowy season is the poor rear window wiper redesign. No longer does it provide a 180 degree sweep centered on the bottom of the window. Now, it sweeps from the top of the window and makes an asymmetric sweep of about 100 degrees, leaving almost a third of the window uncleared. If you purchase a Sienna, ensure it has the blind spot detectors. The view out the rear window is so obstructed in bad weather, those detectors are a necessity, not a luxury.
KDW-2019,06/01/2019
Limited Premium 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan AWD (3.5L 6cyl 8A)
Went from a 2008 to a 2018, and there is but one thing I can point to that's an improvement over the '08: the birds eye camera. Otherwise, we regret dropping $48,000 on a car that our family universally dislikes. So we take my Grand Cherokee everywhere except skiing.
The rest:
A. The cabin is cavernous and cold with sliding seats that make it so the rear floor mats don't fit. This means that the black interior has mud and crumbs ground into it already at 8 months of ownership.
B. 10.7mpg combined (vs. 13.8 in the '08)
C. The multimedia system is poorly designed and poorly featured. The GPS is unchanged from the poorly designed '08 version.
D. The V6 is dramatically underpowered.
E. It handles like a boat.
F. They removed most of the discrete storage, so the single, enormous console compartment has to house everything.
The only distinguishing quality of this van over others is the AWD system. And after 8 months, my wife laments that we should have bought a second Grand Cherokee, which is plenty big for a family of four, handles well and gets 17mpg combined.
I couldn't be more disappointed.
Bill,05/13/2018
Limited Premium 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan AWD (3.5L 6cyl 8A)
Does exactly what it should and nothing more. Needs exterior lighting updates (LED) and other Limited level features (individual tire pressure display for TPMS), programmable side view mirrors (open at engine start and close at engine stop), plus factory option for 2” receiver trailer hitch and wiring. Time has shown me that a couple of inches of additional floor-to-ceiling height in the second and third rows (and rear rear hatch opening) would make this van much more versatile for transporting bikes and larger items.
Steve V,08/27/2018
Limited Premium 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan AWD (3.5L 6cyl 8A)
Still no full speed adaptive cruise. Make an AWD minivan with full speed range adaptive cruise and I will buy it.
Edmunds Summary Review of the 2018 Toyota Sienna Limited Premium 7-Passenger Minivan
Pros & Cons
- Refined ride quality imparts comfort and confidence
- V6 provides class-leading acceleration
- Still the only minivan to offer all-wheel drive
- Second-row seats are bulky, heavy and awkward to remove
- Offers fewer features than some newer competitors
Which Sienna does Edmunds recommend?
Although a midgrade model, the Sienna LE has most of the minivan essentials (tri-zone climate control, power driver seat and easy-clean fabric upholstery) and optional all-wheel drive. But unless you absolutely need wet-weather capability, go for the SE. It has worthwhile upgrades, such as sportier styling, leather upholstery, a power liftgate and firmer suspension tuning. The latter makes the SE the best-handling Sienna. There is a small trade-off in ride quality, but we prefer the SE's more in-control feel.
Full Edmunds Review: 2018 Toyota Sienna Minivan
Driving
7.0A strong V6 makes the Sienna the quickest minivan on the market. The engine isn't terribly responsive in normal driving, and ample body roll reveals itself on curvy roads, but most minivan drivers should find it tolerable.
Comfort
7.5The seats are initially comfortable and supportive, but long stints reveal pressure points. The ride is serene, though considerable levels of road and wind noise disrupt an otherwise relaxed experience. The climate controls work well to keep the entire cabin at a pleasant temperature.
Interior
7.5The Sienna offers great visibility and, unsurprisingly for a minivan, excellent points of entry and exit for all seats. There's a surprising lack of headroom in the second and third rows due to the tapered roofline, but the most egregious oversight has to be the Sienna's poorly arranged controls.
Utility
8.0The Sienna's cargo capacity behind the third row is expansive. The power-folding seat controls are located on a panel just below the top of the hatch; it's easy to knock your forehead against it while loading cargo. The front door pockets are low and hard to reach.
Technology
6.0The user interface is intuitive, although the touchscreen interface is unappealing. Upgrades such as more USB ports and standard driver safety features for 2018 are welcome.
Edmunds Insurance Estimator
The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2018 Toyota Sienna in Virginia is:
$64.00 per month*Legal