The 2014 Toyota Sienna continues its reign as a top choice for families seeking versatility, reliability, and a touch of innovation in a minivan. As the only minivan in the US market offering available all-wheel drive, the 2014 Sienna sets itself apart from the competition, providing an added layer of confidence for drivers in diverse weather conditions. This model year introduces some notable updates, particularly for the sporty SE trim, making the Sienna even more appealing to a wider range of buyers. Let’s delve into what makes the 2014 Toyota Sienna a standout in its class.
What’s New for the 2014 Toyota Sienna?
Toyota listened to consumer feedback and made a significant enhancement to the 2014 Sienna SE model by offering the Blind Spot Monitor as a standalone option. Previously, this sought-after safety feature was only available as part of more expensive option packages on the SE trim. Now, buyers of the sportier Sienna SE can opt for this added peace of mind without needing to commit to larger, pricier packages. The Blind Spot Monitor, which also includes a cross-traffic alert system, remains a standard feature on the top-of-the-line Sienna Limited, ensuring premium safety across the higher trims.
Further enhancing the Sienna’s practicality, the Tow Prep Package is now standard across all grades for the 2014 model year. This underscores Toyota’s commitment to making the Sienna a truly versatile vehicle capable of handling family needs, including towing trailers for weekend getaways or hauling essential gear.
Performance and Powertrain
Under the hood, the 2014 Toyota Sienna boasts a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 266 horsepower. This engine is paired with a smooth and efficient six-speed automatic transmission. This combination provides ample power for daily driving, highway merging, and passing maneuvers, ensuring a confident driving experience in various situations. Despite its power, the front-wheel-drive (FWD) models of the 2014 Sienna achieve an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway, balancing performance with reasonable efficiency for its class. For those needing extra traction, the available all-wheel-drive (AWD) system provides enhanced stability and control, particularly in adverse weather conditions. The Sienna also maintains a respectable towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds when properly equipped, adding to its functional appeal for families with active lifestyles.
Design and Comfort
The 2014 Sienna carries forward its contemporary and aerodynamic design, which was conceived with North American drivers in mind. Designed primarily at Toyota’s Calty Design Research in California and further developed in Michigan, the Sienna’s sculpted shape not only contributes to its strong visual presence but also to reduced wind noise, enhancing cabin quietness. The designers paid close attention to detail, incorporating sleek window lines and cleverly concealing the sliding door tracks within the side window frames for a cleaner profile.
Inside, the Sienna’s cabin is designed to offer a blend of upscale quality, elegance, and user-friendliness. The dashboard’s sweeping design creates a sense of spaciousness, while the integrated central controls for climate and audio functions contribute to a streamlined and intuitive user experience. Seat designs prioritize both comfort and flexibility, accommodating up to seven or eight passengers depending on the configuration.
Technology and Features
The 2014 Toyota Sienna is equipped with Toyota’s Entune™ multimedia system, available on LE, SE, and XLE grades, featuring Display Navigation and the Entune™ App Suite. This suite offers a range of popular mobile applications and data services, accessible via smartphone pairing through Bluetooth or USB. The Entune App Suite includes apps like Bing™, iHeartRadio, MovieTickets.com, OpenTable®, and Pandora®, while Entune data services provide real-time information such as fuel prices, sports scores, stock updates, traffic, and weather. These features are subscription-free, adding value and convenience for Sienna owners.
The 2014 Sienna is offered in five trim levels: L, LE, SE, XLE, and Limited. The base L and the popular LE trims come well-equipped with standard features like cruise control, daytime running lights, tri-zone air conditioning, adjustable driver’s seat, power windows, and remote keyless entry. Stepping up to the LE grade adds further conveniences such as three-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats, dual power-sliding doors, a power liftgate, rearview camera, and enhanced audio and connectivity features including SiriusXM® satellite radio, Bluetooth® for hands-free phone and music streaming, and steering wheel audio controls.
The XLE trim builds upon the LE, adding leather-trimmed seats, a moonroof, anti-theft system, and heated front seats. Optional upgrades for the XLE include a premium JBL® sound system with navigation, rear-seat entertainment system, and parking sonar. At the top of the range, the Sienna Limited offers luxury features such as second-row Lounge Seating, a power-folding third-row seat (on FWD models), front and rear parking sonar, Smart Key system on all doors, Safety Connect™, and dual moonroofs. Optional features for the Limited include DVD Navigation, a Dual View Entertainment System, HID headlights, rain-sensing wipers, and a Pre-Collision System with Dynamic Radar Cruise Control.
Sienna SE: The Sporty Minivan Option
For those who desire a minivan with a sporty edge, the 2014 Sienna SE is designed to deliver. It distinguishes itself with a bolder front fascia, side skirts that visually lower the vehicle, and standard 19-inch alloy wheels. Smoked sport trim LED taillights and chrome accents further enhance its unique exterior styling.
Beyond aesthetics, the Sienna SE offers a sport-tuned suspension that, combined with the 19-inch wheels, provides more engaging handling dynamics. Exclusive instrumentation and unique interior color schemes and trim elements complete the sporty package, making the SE a compelling option for drivers who appreciate a more dynamic driving experience in a minivan.
Interior Versatility and Space
The 2014 Sienna excels in interior versatility, accommodating both passengers and cargo with ease. Its spacious cabin offers excellent visibility for all occupants. A conversation mirror is integrated into the overhead console, enabling the driver to easily monitor rear-seat passengers. Ample storage compartments, cupholders, and cargo spaces are strategically placed throughout the cabin.
Available in seven- and eight-passenger configurations, the Sienna’s seating can be adjusted to prioritize passenger space or cargo volume as needed. In seven-seat models, the second-row captain’s chairs offer a generous 23 inches of slide adjustment, allowing for maximum legroom or easy access to child seats and third-row entry. A sliding center console in higher trims can be shared between the front and second rows for added convenience. The Limited trim’s second-row Lounge Seating includes leg and foot support for enhanced passenger comfort.
Eight-passenger models feature a removable second-row center seat that can be stowed to create a seven-passenger layout with a convenient storage tray and cupholders. The second-row seats also feature a Tip Up and Long Slide mechanism for easy third-row access. The 60/40 split-folding third-row seat easily folds flat, and the Limited FWD model even includes a power-folding feature. With the third row in use, the cargo area can still accommodate five golf bags or four large suitcases. With both the second and third rows folded, the Sienna offers a substantial cargo area of approximately 150 cubic feet, accessible through a wide tailgate and side doors.
Safety Features of the 2014 Sienna
Toyota prioritizes safety, and the 2014 Sienna is equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features. The standard Blind Spot Monitor on XLE and Limited grades, with its rear cross-traffic alert, enhances driver awareness. All 2014 Sienna models come standard with the Toyota Star Safety System™, which includes Anti-lock Brakes (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), and Smart Stop Technology (SST). Seven airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag and full-length side curtain airbags, are standard. Active front headrests are designed to mitigate whiplash injuries. Optional safety enhancements on the Limited trim include a Pre-Collision System (PCS) and Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) for optimized vehicle control and accident avoidance. The Safety Connect™ telematics system, standard on the Limited and optional on XLE, provides features like Automatic Collision Notification, Stolen Vehicle Location, and emergency assistance services.
The 2014 Toyota Sienna stands out as a well-rounded and thoughtfully designed minivan that caters to the diverse needs of modern families. Its blend of performance, versatility, comfort, and safety, along with available all-wheel drive and sporty SE trim, makes it a compelling choice in the minivan segment.
