Driving Experience
Includes acceleration and handling
What Owners Say
"The shiftable 8-speed automatic transmission is outstanding when driving in mountains. Acceleration is more than I need and handling with the electric power steering is easy and sure."
Carl S., NJ (2017 Toyota Sienna)"Handles exceptionally well for a minivan."
Al E., NY (2017 Toyota Sienna)"Very poor acceleration for a V6 engine. I was expecting acceleration along the lines of my Highlander but not even close. Compared to our last minivan, a Honda Odyssey which also had a V6 engine, this falls way short."
Anonymous, CO (2017 Toyota Sienna)"good acceleration & smooth transmission"
Anonymous, IA (2017 Toyota Sienna)"Great handling"
Anonymous, PA (2017 Toyota Sienna)"Poor acceleration, odd shifting transmission"
Anonymous, MD (2017 Toyota Sienna)"Does not feel like a large vehicle. Short turning circle. Maneuverable. Blind Spot Detection is effective."
Colin E., ON (2017 Toyota Sienna)"Does not seem to accelerate as well as my 2013 did. It does however handle very well and does offer a comfortable roomy ride."
Anonymous, NY (2017 Toyota Sienna)"It is quick and handles well. However, one thing I don't like is that when just starting out in first gear, it seems to hesitate before catching."
Cynthia H., NY (2017 Toyota Sienna)"It responds quickly when accelerating. Nice ride."
Anonymous, ID (2017 Toyota Sienna)"I am pleasantly surprised at how well it accelerates and handles. I drive it just about the same as I do my Lexus sedan. I can easily pass on the highway and climb up hill. The cruise control is also very satisfying."
Clinton F., AZ (2017 Toyota Sienna)"Great power. Transmission slow to downshift. Acceleration was better on 6 speed 2015 awe sienna."
David K., PA (2017 Toyota Sienna)"Nice, smooth ride, easy to handle"
Danielle L., NY (2017 Toyota Sienna)"both acceleration and handling"
Anonymous, TN (2017 Toyota Sienna)"Acceleration isn't smooth after backing out of the driveway & shifting to drive. It's the same after turning certain corners isn't smooth. Sometimes pressing on the gas pedal while driving down the road likewise causes uneven acceleration."
Anonymous, NY (2017 Toyota Sienna)"Very responsive acceleration"
Paul E., OH (2017 Toyota Sienna)"Acceleration is excellent, but there's a lot of downshift - upshift action from the transmission. It's not as seamless or responsive as the 5 speed transmission in my old 2007 Sienna. Handling is acceptable but not great. Fair amount of lean, and the steering ratio could be a little quicker. Handling and steering were better in Dodge mini-vans I have rented."
William H., TX (2017 Toyota Sienna)"This has an 8 speed transmission which makes for very smooth accerations and better gas mileage."
David B., PA (2017 Toyota Sienna)"transmission sloppy and rattles"
Anonymous, NY (2017 Toyota Sienna)"The 2017 Toyota Sienna handles as well as a sedan. It goes around corners with ease. It's wide stance makes it very stable and handles every movement easily. The V6 motor and transmission have plenty of power for a vehicle loaded with 7 passengers plus towing a utility trailer."
James M., NY (2017 Toyota Sienna)"The Sienna has plenty of power, and handles very precisely. I can place it exactly where I want it in my lane."
Bill R., CA (2017 Toyota Sienna)"The acceleration is adequate for the size of the vehicle. The handling is good, better than our truck and comparable to other vehicles we have owned over the years."
Carl V., WA (2017 Toyota Sienna)"Plenty of get up and go."
Anonymous, NC (2017 Toyota Sienna)"Love our car. Just returned from a 5200 + miles road trip and it handled like a dream. Got it because we previously had a Honda and loved it also, but DO NOT LIKE THE NEW ODYSSEY DESIGN."
Anonymous, AZ (2017 Toyota Sienna)"I can not count on acceleration to respond the same all the time. My 2005 Toyota Sienna was much better than my 2017."
Tom M., MA (2017 Toyota Sienna)"The transmission is not smooth at all."
Anonymous, NH (2017 Toyota Sienna)"Good acceleration, good handling, and breaking, smooth ride"
Anonymous, CA (2017 Toyota Sienna)"The Sienna has excellent acceleration nad handling, especially in freeway conditions and upon entering traffic flow. While I do not do too much two lane out of town driving , when I do have to pass a slower vehicle the engine responds quickly and with authority."
James H., WA (2017 Toyota Sienna)"Great pickup and really good turning radius for a van"
Anonymous, OH (2017 Toyota Sienna)"Very stable and snappy"
Anonymous, SD (2017 Toyota Sienna)"Smooth, quiet, warning systems are helpful."
Anonymous, ON (2017 Toyota Sienna)"The 2017 Toyota Sienna drives effortlessly, very smooth, and easy to handle."
Anonymous, MA (2017 Toyota Sienna)"Good acceleration, gets me into traffic quickly if needed. Handling is good, I have a good feel of the road and good turning radius, although my 2005 sienna was better at this."
Anonymous, WI (2017 Toyota Sienna)"It may be slightly under powered, but I am pleased with handling."
Robert F., GA (2017 Toyota Sienna)"The van handles well. I don't have trouble getting up to speed when entering a highway."
Anonymous, MD (2017 Toyota Sienna)"Transmission is very weird - starts in 3rd from a stop, hits a very labored transition about 2 shifts in."
Michael M., NY (2017 Toyota Sienna)"Handles well for its size, but the engine labors under hard acceleration."
Anonymous, CA (2017 Toyota Sienna)"We are extremely disappointed when driving van in neighborhood driving or just getting going out of the driveway. Very very jerky!!! Have had van in three times to to Toyota dealership to check out. There was a software fix Toyota made available it did little to fix jerky shifting at low speeds or from stop/ signal lights. Was told by one service manager who also owns the 2017 Sienna with 8 speed transmission Toyota changed to new transmission and fuel injection system. If you step on the gas hard, the van hesitates, a safety feature I am told. We had 2014 Sienna previous to this that we sold to our kids and it was great. Acceleration and smooth shifting with the 6 spd transmission. EPA driven technology is not better."
Jeffrey J., CA (2017 Toyota Sienna)"excellent acceleration. Handles well"
Len C., ME (2017 Toyota Sienna)"The new engine and transmission have good power for expressway driving."
Anonymous, WI (2017 Toyota Sienna)"quick acceleration and smooth shifting"
Anonymous, NV (2017 Toyota Sienna)"Transmission shift is very rough"
Anonymous, IN (2017 Toyota Sienna)"Handling.... tightest u turns. Easy to hold speed on highway."
Anna B., AZ (2017 Toyota Sienna)"The shifting of gears are a little rugged when going from an almost stop to going again. A little rough. After that it is fine."
Anonymous, TX (2017 Toyota Sienna)"Great road vehicle for in town or highway. Very versatile for handling people, luggage, groceries or various items. Easy to steer and has short turn radius for easy parking. Easy to get into and out, for me. Engine is somewhat noisy when hard accelerating. Transmission autoshifting is good, but still not perfected - has some minor jerk at times."
Donald M., KY (2017 Toyota Sienna)"The automatic 8-speed transmission never seems to find the right gear when under full acceleration"
Richard S., TX (2017 Toyota Sienna)"Love the power with ECT and fuel savings without."
Erik J., TX (2017 Toyota Sienna)"All of my friends that have driven my car say it is the best driving vehicle they have driven."
Anonymous, FL (2017 Toyota Sienna)"Handling is very poor and it has a very harsh ride."
Anonymous, CA (2017 Toyota Sienna)"For a vehicle of its size, acceleration is excellent; and while engine noise can be impressive while aggressively accelerating, otherwise, there is no engine noise. Very comfortable ride, albeit suitably firm."
T S., CA (2017 Toyota Sienna)"new engine with 300 HP and 8 speed trans is great, especially in mountains going up grades using cruise control."
Anonymous, CA (2017 Toyota Sienna)"Very good acceleration the new engine and transmission for 2017. Gas mileage is well above average almost 30 mpg."
Fred F., NM (2017 Toyota Sienna)"quick response on passing gear"
Alvin P., NV (2017 Toyota Sienna)"Acceleration from a stop is very sluggish. When you step on the gas you get a delayed response. Feels like a long time but is probably 1-2 seconds which is a long time when you are trying to get out in traffic"
Thomas H., UT (2017 Toyota Sienna)"The transmission reminds me of learning how to drive a standard transmission, but never improves. Going up a modest hill, it shifts up and down sporadically every few seconds with jerks every time it shifts. When making a short stop, it sits there, then jerks into gear with a jack rabbit start. Overall it is a miserable drive, and I wouldn't recommend the Sienna to anyone. In fact, I plan to sell it as soon as I can find another vehicle that suits our needs."
Anne O., WA (2017 Toyota Sienna)"it doesn't seem to have the get up and go from a standing start. it to busy shifting though the gears"
Anonymous, OH (2017 Toyota Sienna)"Comfort"
David M., NY (2017 Toyota Sienna)"Acceleration, handling, amazing turning radius for size of vehicle"
Anonymous, CA (2017 Toyota Sienna)"Excellent. Swerves a little on tight curves."
Anonymous, VA (2017 Toyota Sienna)"good no major issues over 10 years, all preventative mx and 210,000 miles"
Anonymous, WV (2017 Toyota Sienna)"excellent acceleration and steering"
Anonymous, PA (2017 Toyota Sienna)"I do not like the hesitation when you push the gas pedal. I know they purposely made it that way when you are driving on a bumpy road but I do not like it. Also acceleration is not the greatest either."
Frank T., NY (2017 Toyota Sienna)"Very good acceleration even at high speed. Found myself going 90 on interstate without realizing it, had to slow down. Turning radius is remarkable, 16 ft. Have front wheel drive vehicle, seems to handle okay in light snow, wet pavement. Somewhat low to ground, but makes it easy to get in and out of the vehicle."
Michael C., IN (2017 Toyota Sienna)"See previous comments."
Ronald D., TX (2017 Toyota Sienna)"At very low speeds followed by quick acceleration the result is more engine noise than speed until we reach roughly 40mph."
Anonymous, TN (2017 Toyota Sienna)"Handling is great and inspires confidence for such a large vehicle. Transmission firmware update improved its operation, but still wish the engine had a little more power and the transmission was a little smoother (and quieter under heavier acceleration) like our former Lexus SUVs."
Christopher M., FL (2017 Toyota Sienna)"The ride is very smooth but the shifting can be hard at times"
Anonymous, NY (2017 Toyota Sienna)"Easy handling"
Anonymous, SD (2017 Toyota Sienna)"Noticeable hesitation compared to Honda Odyssey"
Anonymous, PA (2017 Toyota Sienna)
"Very smooth and handles nicely"
Anonymous, IL (2017 Toyota Sienna)