GULF SHORES, Ala. — That is the environment friendly alternative. Fill it and overlook it. It’s very logical and left mind. When contemplating your choices within the now-crowded minivan phase, the 2023 Toyota Sienna’s gas economic system is unimpeachable.
I put it to the check throughout a 2,000-plus-mile journey with the household to the pristine seashore city of Gulf Shores, Ala., leaving the early spring chill of Michigan in favor of surf and solar. I averaged 31.87 miles per gallon (mixed) for the journey in our long-term 2023 Toyota Sienna Platinum AWD. That’s a bit beneath the EPA scores of 35 mpg within the metropolis, 36 mpg freeway and 35 mpg mixed, however nonetheless respectable for real-world driving. Others at Autoblog have performed higher, together with this lofty 39.4-mpg stint. I used to be stopped in heavy visitors or shifting very slowly for lengthy durations, which additionally contributed to the strong, if not spectacular efficiency.
My greatest stint was 33 mpg over a 326-mile leg, which I recorded on the night earlier than my drive house. I believe that’s validating, because it was a mixture of in-town driving through the trip, some quick freeway stints for day journeys, and the tail finish of the journey from Michigan to Gulf Shores.
My favourite half was the gap between fill-ups. With an 18-gallon gas tank, you might theoretically drive 648 miles, however that appears to be theoretical. Upon leaving the fuel station, the onboard journey steering would normally point out I had about 520 miles of vary. In actual life, meaning I crammed up as soon as earlier than leaving Gulf Shores, as soon as in Tennessee simply over the state line and as soon as someplace in between Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio. That’s not unhealthy.
The Sienna returns these figures with a standard hybrid system. There are three electrical motors working with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and eCVT transmission. The entire system output is 245 horsepower. It’s nothing flashy, nevertheless it does the job.
The Sienna additionally presents all-wheel drive. The Chrysler Pacifica is the one different minivan to take action, which is stunning given the supposed prospects are sensible, security aware dad and mom who have to drive in all circumstances. It looks like any automaker that makes a minivan ought to provide all-wheel drive. The climate was largely good on my journey, however when tornadoes ripped by way of the South sending heavy storms up and down the center part of the nation, I used to be very happy to have AWD underfoot as I navigated the nighttime drive by way of Kentucky.
Talking of the Pacifica, it’s actually Chrysler vs. Toyota for the minivan crown. The Pacifica Hybrid — a phase unique plug-in — returns 82 mpg-e when charged. When the batteries run down, it’s 30 mpg mixed, which is much better than anything within the class exterior of the Sienna. I made the same journey to Florida in our long-term Pacifica Hybrid 4 years in the past, and I routinely achieved 30 mpg after the electrical cost was exhausted.
You could possibly argue the Honda Odyssey’s inside is a bit nicer in some trims, and the Kia Carnival is probably essentially the most fashionable minivan you should purchase. However when it comes all the way down to gas economic system, it boils all the way down to the Sienna or the Pacifica, after which the selection is yours: plug or no plug.
That debate apart, the Sienna was a superb street journey automobile, with loads of room, snug dynamics and a good infotainment setup. The cupholders are copious and the middle console is big. I used it as a tray desk to array Hen McNuggets with ranch dressing dippers. The adaptive cruise management modulated speeds nicely in heavy visitors, although I felt the lane upkeep function hewed too carefully to the left marker for my tastes. My most important on-road criticism is the four-cylinder is quite loud and outdoors noise permeates the cabin simply.
I didn’t overachieve with my gas economic system, however I’m not complaining. In its first main street journey, our long-term Sienna delivered a strong efficiency and did all the pieces required. That’s why you get a minivan, particularly a hybrid.
