ENGINEER EXPLAINS 7 REASONS WHY MINIVANS ARE BETTER VALUE THAN SUVs

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Күн бұрын

Engineer provides 7 reasons why Minivans represent better value than many SUVs and Crossovers, based on factors such as pricing, practicality, ease of use, comfort and space utilization. In fact, Automotive Engineer David Chao explains 7 reasons why Minivans are better buys than SUVs, especially this specific model: 2023 Toyota Sienna.
Watch until the end to truly understand why Minivans are the value leaders of the pack.
Automotive Press is owned and managed by David Koichi Chao, a global expert in the field of automotive evaluation, engineering, and strategy. With over 35 years of engineering experience, David is able to review vehicles from unique perspectives utilizing technical and specialized methods. David is a board member and a director at AJAC (Automobile Journalist Association of Canada).
David is known around the world as an authentic specialist of Lean/Agile Thinking, and travels all around the world to review vehicles and teach latest engineering methods. Born and raised in Japan, David has an engineering degree from University of British Columbia and post-graduate education from MIT and Harvard Business School in Boston.

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@Jantonvid 8 ай бұрын

“ they hated him because he spoke the truth”

@grandche3966 7 ай бұрын

Whoever burned to ashes in the lexus LM won't argue anymore with the stuck doors and broken wires which lead to fires soon after crash, not to mention the paper thin bumper

@ultramax6442 7 ай бұрын

yeah because the americunt culture focus on images even if they go hungry

@Jake-zk3eb 7 ай бұрын

Car companies hate him

@MrOiram46 7 ай бұрын

I would say that minivans have more space than most SUV’s, however, the king of SUV’s, the Suburban has more space than minivans; it’s basically a minivan that’s lifted AND has a truck bed’s worth of space in the back even after the third-row seats 😂

@Loza_1703 7 ай бұрын

@@MrOiram46not every car brands can make suvs bigger than minivans

@stephanlevesque7632 8 ай бұрын

Nothing beats how practical a minivan is. It’s one of the easiest vehicles to live with day to day. Best road trip vehicle because driving it is very effortless.

@kingloo6407 7 ай бұрын

Yes, that’s why have 3 Siennas.

@TheGerm24 7 ай бұрын

Yep, I put a 9 foot tree in my minivan one day and a 10 foot kayak the next. The weekend before that we went camping. Way more practical space wise than an SUV.

@XChronicHash 7 ай бұрын

but it looks gae

@tommythompsonsurfer 7 ай бұрын

4X8 P-LYWOOD EASILY HAULED111111111111111

@firefly9838 7 ай бұрын

Not practical off road though. I'll stick to my 4Runner

@MatthewJoseph-tm9oo 7 ай бұрын

I tried to rent a SUV for a road trip and they didn't have one available, so I ended up with a minivan. At first I was a bit disappointed, but pretty soon after I started actually driving it I was pretty much sold on minivans and kicking myself for having slept on minivans for so long. I ended up buying a minivan after that, and it saved my life and my dogs in a catastrophic collision. Safety ratings top notch. And that was an older one, a 2006. I replaced it with another and when that one got old, replaced that with the one I currently drive as my everyday vehicle. I don't know if I'll ever drive another kind of vehicle, especially once I've saved up for that Sienna hybrid.

@ry2456 7 ай бұрын

My wife didn’t want a minivan. She wanted a suv. The ten years ago my parent and our family flew to disney world. They rented 2 minivans. I could see her wheels turning as we used the vans on the trip. Several years later we needed a new car. I expected her to head to the suvs. Nope, strait to the vans. It doesn’t do everything an suv can, but does a better job of the day to day living stuff. Hey, we have a truck for the rough road/work project stuff and suvs couldn’t handle most of that.

@Wasabi9111 7 ай бұрын

I usually request a minivan rental as it’s just so convenient. But they usually charge a large premium for a minivan rental.

@garethwilliams6474 2 ай бұрын

I want a hybrid Sienna but my wife thinks it won't be good for touring, she keeps saying it won't have enough poke/speed! I think it'll be great. What do you think?

@nlpnt 8 ай бұрын

Biggest problem with newer minivans is that huge console between the front seats. You can still strap the kids in back after climbing all the way inside the van yourself in the rain but then you have to exit to get behind the wheel. In older ones with column shift and nothing between the seats you could climb into the driver's seat Millennium Falcon-style. It was also a great place to put a baby bag or a cooler.

@justliberty4072 7 ай бұрын

And that console intrudes on the lateral knee room for the driver. I hate those things.

@richardcastro1276 7 ай бұрын

Yup that's how I always do it in my Millenium Falcon!!!! ;)

@billw6903 7 ай бұрын

14 kia has no console bought it for that reason

@MarcillaSmith 7 ай бұрын

I remove my center consoles.

@DagaenGolomb 7 ай бұрын

It's rain...

@drkvenger 8 ай бұрын

We’ve had two minivans (Odyssey and Sienna) and although we considered SUV’s - we always come back to the practicality and comfort of a minivan. Their stylings IMO are sleeker than many SUV’s. We drove a Pacifica Hybrid V6 and were blown away by it’s performance and smoothness. It drives like a car compared to SUVs that drive like trucks. Yes minivans are under appreciated value and functionality propositions in today’s vehicle segment.

@gregruppert2555 6 ай бұрын

I have to call foul on this comment. I have nothing against minivans, but having a Highlander Hybrid and having rented a Chrysler pacifica, the pacifica was a jerky mess. The interior space was fine, but Chrysler has no idea how to do a hybrid powertrain. I would guess that the Sienna would be just as good as the Highlander as they basically use the same powertrain.

@drkvenger 6 ай бұрын

@@gregruppert2555 We rented a 22 Pacifica V6 Hybrid. Acceleration was smooth and powerful, transmission was seamless. We drove nearly 1.500 miles without any issues (Virginia to Florida and back). Can you be more specific on what you mean? What model year did you drive?

@SuperballsSupervidsOnYT 6 ай бұрын

My brother-in-law has an older oddysey and I've got a 2011 grand caravan. we also have a 2014 focus. I will always love hatchbacks but i don't know how I can ever live without a minivan ever again. I've recently also succumbed to the need for a truck and got a 2010 f150, and while i'm a bit disappointed that i got a short bed, at least i can still have passengers and haul cargo and tow a trailer (i bought it for that purpose as while my trailer is under capacity for my caravan, the way i have to pack it puts too much tongue weight and it's doing a number on my rear suspension). Having three vehicles is not something i'm going to enjoy shouldering the costs, even if one is creating revenue, but, as much as i love the focus, it might be the one that has to go if push comes to shove. My wife loves the focus though, too, and isn't a fan of driving the bigger vehicles...

@kenmasters916 22 күн бұрын

I find it interesting people who own vans come here seeking validation for purchasing a kids soccer vehicle lol

@Bob-fk8vd 8 ай бұрын

I’m a single male and I bought a minivan because it us the best vehicle to own. It’s a car, suv and truck all in one. Smart people buy minivans because they are the best vehicle for the money.

@spanieaj 8 ай бұрын

I bought a minivan as a 4th vehicle so haul my kids' stuff as they moved out of state. I was never a fan of minivans, but I can say that I was absolutely WRONG! Not only is it comfortable for long trips it is like having a covered pickup truck! I can get 4X8 sheets of plywood (laying flat) in the van and 10 foot lengths of wood. I wish I had gotten a minivan sooner!

@RG-tx6up 8 ай бұрын

I have a 2015 Sienna XLE and was able to squeeze a queen mattress into the back with middle row seats removed. Then proceeded to put a lot of stuff on top of it.

@teyewilliams2824 8 ай бұрын

You right David, Minivans are great for long road trip. It’s is comfortable and cozy to drive. If they can add the hybrid max tech, it will attract buyers.

@halchan7517 8 ай бұрын

Little more ponies , we will buy it . Thank you

@jamesheartney9546 7 ай бұрын

We brought up three kids with a 2002 Honda Odyssey. Incredibly practical, handling everything from multiple car seats to trips to college. Drives like a car, can hold lots of people and stuff. Updated the radio/CD to an Android Auto head unit, and now it even has satnav! It's still alive and being used by youngest daughter in her senior year at college.

@osepvelasquez 7 ай бұрын

wOw, that's legit honda reliability there 😎

@nidnev3857 8 ай бұрын

When we sold our minivan for an suv, first thing I missed was the spacious interior afforded by the minivan. Folding down the 2nd and 3rd row seats gave me ginormous hauling space. The sliding doors are heaven sent in tight parking spaces. What I did not miss about it is it's fuel consumption.

@SBCBears 7 ай бұрын

Interesting about the MPG. My 2004 Sienna gets about 30 MPG, which makes me happy. 180k miles- the engine burns no oil and the tranny shifts smoothly. Came with a trailer hitch if I want to tow.

@starmaster191 2 ай бұрын

@@SBCBearsur 04 sienna must be a 4 cylinder not a v6?

@elizabethwhite4606 8 ай бұрын

David, I believe the minivans are making a resurgence. I am very impressed with the redesign of the Toyota Sienna. It looks more streamlined than the minivans of the past. One of the greatest features for me is the sliding door. Very convenient in so many circumstances.

@randyprice1831 8 ай бұрын

I agree about the practicality of a minivan. We have a 2013 Sienna and use it all the time!

@MrSchattka 8 ай бұрын

Wholehearted agree. Ours is a 2005 Sienna and is still going strong.

@drawspanish 7 ай бұрын

This is the absolute truth. So many people I know are hung up on appearance and how they look to others that they refuse to be seen in a minivan. I’ve had a minivan (Odyssey)continuously since 2000 with our first child, and added a second Odyssey since 2006. As we bought newer models, the old one became our utility for hauling anything and everything including plywood, dirt, mulch, furniture etc. Yup today we own a 2014 and and 2023 Odyssey. Can’t beat them and I love driving them-and I’m a guy!! Too bad for all those insecure souls driving their fancy expensive suv’s when a minivan would work so much better. But that’s just my humble opinion.

@safffff1000 6 ай бұрын

Bingo

@rightlanehog3151 8 ай бұрын

David, People on the long, long Sienna waiting list will hope minivans remain 'unpopular' . 😉😁

@theone4042 7 ай бұрын

Both my kids just went off to college and I ordered a Sienna minivan because my wife and I want to travel cross country in comfort, and not have to worry about bad gas mileage. I was in the market to get an LX 600 but decided the minivan is the most practical choice.

@MrTPF1 7 ай бұрын

I owned two Ford minivans in the 90's and early 2000's while my family of six was having to relocate frequently while I was in the military. Those vans were absolute workhorses for us and we loved them very much. I've never understood the draw of SUV's when minivans are so much more comfortable for moving people around, and they gobble up a huge load of cargo.

@puregsr 8 ай бұрын

Sienna is my dream car. Too bad they're super expensive right now.

@MeltingRubberZ28 7 ай бұрын

That's what I'm talking about. They are quite expensive now.

@safffff1000 6 ай бұрын

2007-10 if maintained are very reliable

@ryanmartinage 8 ай бұрын

Minivans are fantastic. I had one for a long term rental doing traveling sales. Better mpg, more room, can tow some, super safe, handle well. Great for everything besides off-road. Awd ones though can handle dirt snow ice etc.

@theenglishprofessor8411 6 ай бұрын

Family of seven with a 2017 Toyota Sienna AWD, 2017 Toyota RAV4, and a 2013 BMW 128i convertible (Dad’s mid-life crisis car). Admittedly, I love driving the Sienna!

@williamlau2405 8 ай бұрын

We had a Ford Windstar Minivan. We used it to tow a Tent Trailer to go camping. We put a roof carrier on the roof rack. The low height of the Minivan allowed us easy access to the roof carrier. The Ford Minivan was perfect for our camping. The vehicle could cruise on the highway with stability because of its long wheelbase.

@SuperballsSupervidsOnYT 6 ай бұрын

I loved both the windstar and the aerostars

@Slaxsvo 8 ай бұрын

Perfect timing with this video. I just placed a deposit for a Sienna Platinum. Even though I have no kids, I plan to take my family, friends, and dogs in it, and it's easily the best and most rational car to buy. I also have a Land Cruiser reserved at the same dealership, but for the value, it's clear to me that the Sienna is the smarter purchase. Thanks for this video! Minivans aren't in the hottest segment of vehicles (despite prices still being high), but I'm always happy to see videos on them!

@bw7249 8 ай бұрын

Wise choice !

@raymondwong7674 8 ай бұрын

Nice,how long for delivery and any markup?

@Slaxsvo 8 ай бұрын

@@raymondwong7674ETA Summer 2024. No markups at my local dealer, but just need to endure the wait.

@raymondwong7674 8 ай бұрын

@@Slaxsvo thank you, well done.

@Medyo 6 ай бұрын

At present I drive an SUV, but one time I did cross country drive, from NY to Niagra and back, then to LA in a minivan. I totally agree, regarding the ride comfort, the space, so much legroom to move around, the family loved it! Never felt tired, minivan drove like a car - sitting low and able to absorb the different types of road we drove on. If you are going to drive on even pavement, not much so out the ordinary it was designed for, minivan it is! On the other hand, SUVs have higher ground clearance which allows for driving off road, without fear of getting stuck. Depending on what your really intend to use it, both are of great use and value, but if you're into moving people great distances on proper roads, again, I must agree on the choice of minivan. Cheers!

@jdhall229 8 ай бұрын

My wife and I are in our 70’s we bought a minivan because it can carry family when they visit. It is easier to get in and out of with stiff joints and lots of room and storage.

@teresastaalcowley8521 7 ай бұрын

Interesting, that is the same reason we are considering buying a mini van. In addition, we need to cover transportable merchandise items for my art shows.

@joeybaggy4118 8 ай бұрын

Thank you David, excellent, informative video, as always sir! I’ve got two little kids and wouldn’t drive anything else. It makes everything so much easier. I love to watch my neighbors with their fancy SUV’s (that are never taken off road) struggle and fight to get kids and gear in and out . . .all because they’re just too vain to be seen in a mini-van. It’s hilarious!

@don_chuwish 8 ай бұрын

Not giving up our 2005 Odyssey even though it is rarely used anymore. But when we need it, we need it. They really are the perfect multifunction format.

@toxichammertoe8696 6 ай бұрын

The bigest problem i have with the Sienna vs the Highlander is the Sienna 2nd row seats don't fold down flat like the Highlander

@hutchfromba 8 ай бұрын

Thanks for all the reliable info your channel provides us.

@09NXN06 7 ай бұрын

Plain and simple I've always loved VANS!

@jimchen4755 7 ай бұрын

I agree with you. I got a Lexus Rxl not too good for family road trip. And I got the new sienna last month. Really good on gas and very roomy. My kids and wife love it.😊

@lot2196 8 ай бұрын

Of course they are. We have a trailer hitch on ours. Picked up a used 5x7 utility trailer that allows us to haul most things we need and still carry 6/7 passengers. Better than paying $70,000 for a truck.

@MeltingRubberZ28 7 ай бұрын

Basically my plan for next vehicle. Wish the tow rating was slightly higher but should get most jobs done.

@ether 6 ай бұрын

Agreed on all counts. What keeps me from upgrading my Sienna (early 2010s model) to the newer hybrid is you can no longer easily remove the 2nd row captain seats. For someone with a family, it drastically reduces its versatility because they use it to transport things as well, from filling it with 4'x8' sheets of plywood & 2x4s to loading it with IKEA purchases to taking a child & all their belongings to their college dorm.

@stevenj9970 7 ай бұрын

I'm retiring soon, I am single and live alone-just be and my Bernese Mountain Dog. I couldn't wait trade my Prius and get an SUV UNTIL I rode in my friends Rav 4....then rode in a Highlander = NOT impressed...my Prius rode smoother. I decided few months ago to get the Sienna after riding in my buddys. GLAD to see this video NOW!!!

@CV6300b 7 ай бұрын

love my 2004 Sienna. We bought it used in 2007 from a physician. We are family of three, the seat combination at the back is so versatile. From moving a 4x8 board to having a dog bed with a 60lbs dog at the back, numerous voluntary driving for school field trips, kid and friend moved their stuff from home back to dorm. Easy to get in and out especially for my senior parents. We recently came back a 6000 miles road trip from Alaska. The van served us so well. Everyone sits comfortable and have so much space at the back.

@shane6115 8 ай бұрын

I know a guy who bought one of these vehicles, he hasn’t even got kids but loves it for the economy drivability and most of all for its space, he can go surfing with all his gear and if he likes he can also sleep in it.

@garyclark6747 8 ай бұрын

I liked chauffeuring people in our van with the mid row captain chairs. The sliders are goof proof for kids when slot parking. The Grand Highlander does counter a few people moving practicality points and the up comming EV9 will offer expansive space in a different package redefining the SUV spectrum. 10:42

@Szymon.Skorka 8 ай бұрын

Thank You for Your video. Last 3 months I tested different SUVs and in the end I finished with a minivan, in my case KIA Carnival. What is the best minivan is cheaper than 3 row SUVs. What any "mom" marketing is doing is bad for customers.

@chaunceysnodgress3672 8 ай бұрын

I love minivans! In the US they’re the most underrated vehicle. Great review

@sonyablade1534 7 ай бұрын

Agree 100% about your take on minivans vs SUV's. I've owned SEVERAL SUV's over the years..and never a minivan..until now. We purchased the 2024 Honda Odyssey Sport with a V-6 engine and 10 speed automatic transmission. Two of the biggest factors was the engine size and NO CVT trans! The Sienna is ELEGANT..no doubt...but my Ody won me over with it's power.

@radiotec76 7 ай бұрын

Do any Toyotas use a CVT? I thought only Nissan used them.

@chrisoconnor3119 7 ай бұрын

Odyssey for the win here too!

@flamingspinach 7 ай бұрын

What is so bad about CVTs? I know the ancient Nissan CVTs have reliability issues but the more modern ones seem just fine. Is it the weird noises they make?

@lp6wo 6 ай бұрын

The new sienna can’t really compete with the odyssey when it comes to performance or handling. That’s the price you pay for the significant increase in mpg you get with the sienna I guess.

@eduardoromero7817 6 ай бұрын

@@flamingspinachMy Subaru Outback has CVT and I love it, especially during Great Lakes winters!

@michaelbrennan7148 8 ай бұрын

Thank you David. Safe travels.

@ker4all 7 ай бұрын

Nice review! Thanks for sharing.

@jordanh4127 8 ай бұрын

Bought my 2016 sienna brand new! 125k problem free miles. With 5 kids it really is amazing. Neighbors make fun for me having a mini van. But we drive a lot and travel a lot. The van is the best and most comfortable for all of us with luggage. When I was in thailand they had 12 passenger toyota, turbo diesel, 6 speed manual’s vans all over the place. Wish we had those here!

@jlg3315 7 ай бұрын

your video reminds me of a time 30 years ago when my sedan broke down in the Texas panhandle and i had to rent a minivan to get home to Chicago. it was a most pleasant and comfortable ride. that ride passed more quickly and comfortably than ever before. you have reopened my eyes.

@MrSchattka 8 ай бұрын

Love the practicality of our 2005 Sienna CE. It has been bullet-proof and we plan to keep it for several more years

@MVRWC 8 ай бұрын

I too have been saying this recently that the minivan really is the best of all worlds a Toyota woodland would give you four-wheel drive capability and safety while at the same time a smooth ride and lots and lots of space.

@RG-tx6up 8 ай бұрын

I have a 2015 Sienna XLE. A V6 with 100K miles and runs great. I moved family over 350 miles by taking out the middle row seats. It hauls more cargo than many full size pickup trucks.

@randyprice1831 8 ай бұрын

We moved our sons into/out of college with our Sienna. You're right it's like a pickup truck with a topper!

@richardli5530 8 ай бұрын

Absolutely, our 2017 Sienna carries more than my 2023 Colorado crew cab.

@ATLOffroad 7 ай бұрын

As a Pacifica owner I enjoyed this video. My minivan is very quiet, smooth, and get mid-20s mpg going 80mph on long road trips. Plenty of room for my kids, dogs, and luggage.

@206deeznutz 7 ай бұрын

Great points. Thanks for the video.

@markhall3434 8 ай бұрын

2024 Kia SX=Prestige here. Golly, so impressive, Silent, Smooth. No tire squeel in hard corners. Never had a ride so smooth (Maybe magnetic shocks?). Use 93 octane and easy 27 MPG at 75 criuise control. The smoothness on 93 is worth it plus 3 MPG. What a sound system.. Another advantage to road efficiency is the lack of Hypoid gear differential in the FWD only models. Hypoid gears are usually used in RWD driveshaft and AWD cars but have an low energy transfer efficiency of 85% due to their sliding friction nature. Typical toothed non-sliding gears are in the high 90's percent efficiency. How about Twin Sun roofs which Open, and both sliding door windows roll down. It's practically a convertible! I can't say if Toyota Sienna is nicer or not, but this KIA Carnival SX-P is way up there.

@cdb5662 8 ай бұрын

Best car reviews on the web. Thank you!

@bubba4072 8 ай бұрын

They're excellent road trip vehicles. We crossed the country several times in one when I was younger. 👍

@ryan_bitt 8 ай бұрын

I have rented a sienna a few times and was really impressed.

@elconquistadorII 7 ай бұрын

Love your reviews. These best Toyota and Lexus reviews for sure.

@uniquestion777 8 ай бұрын

You can't beat the minivan when it comes to functionality. I owned Nissan Serena, Toyota Previa, and 3 Honda Odysseys...

@obseno4329 8 ай бұрын

Which one is the best?

@uniquestion777 8 ай бұрын

@@obseno4329 toyota sienna

@rashb3994 7 ай бұрын

I never even considered this or these when looking for my next Suv when. Thank you for adding a new option and thought process. Already started researching and loving some of the looks even some older ones in 2010's and up. But the very newest like the front on the new Sienna. Wow!

@thomaspennfenn6649 7 ай бұрын

Great information 👍 Thank You !

@timothybracken1728 8 ай бұрын

This is so true. In Hong Kong and in China 80s.. Sienna was the most comfortable car for the big bosses. My dad told me this. They are still underrated. So comfortable long wheelbase and tons of room. The only thing is you give up sitting higher and off roading 😂

@diabolox1272 8 ай бұрын

The only thing missing on the Sienna : Hybrid Max and more technology like Safe 3.0....I sold my 2022 XSE with Tech pack and hope they will make it better

@starrisk 8 ай бұрын

I started with a small hatchback that has a fold-flat rear bench... it is small but carries so much more things than a sedan ever could... wedding stuff, sofas, IKEA, etc... it got me though life. now i drive a 3row minivan... same story, just longer. Wife and toddler can sit in the back. Easy on, easy off that my toddler can climb on/off without assistance... old folks too. Lower ride height than SUV, less bounce, more planted. All i need is sliding doors! They are just not popular in my region yet except on van-style MPVs like the Alphard and Serena :(

@Bonzosbadgeholder 8 ай бұрын

I have a 2011 Sienna and I absolutely love it. If they come out with a plug in hybrid I will buy it.

@Fuglychick 6 ай бұрын

Minivans handle EXCELLENT in the snow! Those long drives in the woods of Northern Wisconsin in -30. My minivan never let me down always started. Did I mention the fantastic handling in 2 foot snow? I was poor my van was old 97 Plymouth never had anything go wrong except the passenger window stopped working. I gave it to an old man in Texas in 2015 his son crashed it in 2020. ❤ Did I mention I took that thing twice to New Jersey and 3 times to Texas?! I miss Mavis ❤

@RexusOutfitters 7 ай бұрын

Great points. I had Honda and Toyota minivans when my kids were young and they were great. Thought my next car would be a Toyota Highlander, but after having ridden in my cousin's I see that the claim of 7 passengers is stretching it, whereas in a Toyota Sienna minivan it's much more realistic. And now that Toyota has really stepped up their style game, a minivan CAN look cool.

@cdpgbc-mw2kz 7 ай бұрын

No, a mini van is never a cool look...

@RexusOutfitters 7 ай бұрын

Ha! A die hard....

@stephenellis5154 7 ай бұрын

My uncle, a die-hard car racer his whole life, saw our black 2011 Sienna SE and could not stop raving about how "cool" it was. I thought it looked like Darth Vader on wheels. We crisscrossed the country for 200,000 trouble-free miles in 7 years before my daughter totaled it (she was fine- it's a super safe vehicle, also). Later bought an '09 AWD to replace it, even though the kids were out of the house. If you're young, single, and looking to impress, I understand opting for something else. If you are married and have kids or dogs or relatives or the need to haul material, appliances, etc. and even tow and are limited to one vehicle, this Japanese Swiss army knife is the only choice.

@sweettooth247 8 ай бұрын

I love the new Sienna! I just wish they had a dual sunroof option for the back seat passengers.

@mikehenson819 7 ай бұрын

I’ve been saying the same for many years! I owned a Siena several years ago, and we loved it. However, our needs changed and we traded for a Tundra.

@skip123davis 8 ай бұрын

yeah, well but what about if you're like me and do light offroading, or rural driving? unpaved roads, steep grades, sharp takeoff and departure angles, etc? i'm not talking rock crawling or any of that, just light stuff. what about ice and snow? most suv's have a luggage rack, so if occasionally move plywood or sheetrock, you can put it up there. i have an old lexus rx350 with a sturdy 3.5L camry engine in it, and that suits me just fine.

@oni-one574 8 ай бұрын

We use a minivan to haul around our blow up boat and dive gear. You are right on all points, but the only way I'd ever be convinced to buy one is if they made a Raptor or TRD Pro Minivan.

@heddingmyway5442 8 ай бұрын

Used to love driving minivans! They are the most efficient at moving a lot of people, like families. Another Lee Iacocca vision that Ford squandered and Chrysler took the lead on. Welcome to the east coast. Noticed the Jersey tag on the Sienna. Hi from South Jersey!

@bridgecross 7 ай бұрын

We rented a Chrysler Town & Country for moving a wedding party around (back when Chrysler still made them) and it was fantastic. Comfortable for everyone inside, very little road noise, and handled *way* better than I thought it would. That said, when the snow and ice start coming around I'll take the ground clearance and X-mode AWD in my Subaru SUV.

@ddk80 7 ай бұрын

With babies/young kids the rear sliding doors make so much sense. I won’t need a chiropractic appointment buckling a baby or infant into a car or SUV or have to worry about them flinging the doors open when they are older and dinging the vehicle next to you.

@willmak242 8 ай бұрын

I totally agree to you sienna is better than SUV but I have never find one without markup in XLE trim but plenty of platinum trim flooding the market. If the people doesn’t like mini van how come there so many markup of XLE trim?

@lpklpk447 8 ай бұрын

Thank you for your excellent review. I love my 6th (4 Toyota) minivan! At one time we were a 2 minivan family. They can't be beat for comfort and utility. This last 2020 Toyota Sienna was for me - retirement great little camper van for road trips! In current financial climate - I will not sell this proven great car.

@GaryTalbott 7 ай бұрын

I love minivans for their practicality as well. Nothing beats them. My AWD Toyota Sienna has an aftermarket 4 inch lift which is great here in Colorado on high-clearance four-wheel-drive roads. If only an automotive company would make a production minivan body on an SUV chassis.

@thedetective8150 7 ай бұрын

How does your AWD Sienna perform in the snow? My wife’s Subaru Outback is a mountain goat in the snow but she wished it had more room.

@dionadams7372 7 ай бұрын

Lived in Yoko and Sasebo for about 12 years, and we have always had a minivan. Here in the US, I’m currently driving a Sienna, love it.

@deroux 7 ай бұрын

I own a 2019 4runner limited and love it. If I bought another vehicle I would possibly consider a Sienna with a 3" lift kit. That would solve the clearance issue for me. I wish the front doors would slide just like the back ones. That would sure be cool.

@markbajek2541 7 ай бұрын

I tend to prefer hinged doors, just due to the speed at which you can open and close the door in an emergency or heavy downpours. Powered van doors.....are slogs...in the open and close department and smaller SUV s tend to take up less space in parking lots and garages, huge SUVs it's pretty much a tie.

@wrench8149 7 ай бұрын

I lived with a sienna for a week as a rental and loved it! A minivan is definitely in the running for a next vehicle.

@newtonlee7849 7 ай бұрын

No question that minivans are much more practical than SUVs/Crossovers in terms of space efficiency; however, when it comes to safety( ie maneuverability, adverse weather conditions - 4 wheel drive, etc) I think that SUV's are typically built to handle rougher roads better. Minivans are built more for urban environments & super smooth paved highways.

@bngr_bngr 8 ай бұрын

“Not one of the four minivans currently sold in the U.S. got an “Acceptable” or “Good” score in a new crash test because they leave rear-seat passengers vulnerable to injury.“ Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

@RustyZipper 4 ай бұрын

Don’t let people you like sit in the back🤷‍♂️

@rml695 4 күн бұрын

I’ve seen a lot of Siennas and Pacificas as of late, especially the Sienna. I can’t drive legally due to vision loss, but if I had a driver I’d get a Sienna because of that footrest feature and the extra space. I also have cerebral palsy in my legs so being able to put them up for a bit (especially in traffic jams where one may be a fair bit away from a rest stop) would definitely be nice.

@thatcarguy1UZ 7 ай бұрын

There's a multitude of factors to consider with this, not least of which, of course, is who the manufacturer is that's building the minivan. For actual practical day-to-day use, I'm absolutely certain that the Sienna or a Honda Odyssey is leagues above a Toyota Sequoia or a Honda Pilot. However, if we're talking about a manufacturer that doesn't have a very good reputation for reliability, then that changes the metrics. I would much rather have a sequoia or a Honda Pilot as compared to a Chrysler Pacifica or a Dodge Caravan. Also, you have to consider those of us who work on our own vehicles the ease or difficulty of service when you are working in your driveway. The new Sienna being a hybrid and a 4-cylinder will be relatively easy to work on compared to the previous generation Sienna with a V6 crammed under a hood where most everything needs to be accessed from underneath. I do recognize that most people don't work on their own vehicles, so my concern puts me in the extreme minority. But it is something to consider nevertheless.

@nickbala1939 6 ай бұрын

I use a friend's Toyota Isis to do deliveries, minivans' practicality is underappreciated.

@fediz4892 5 ай бұрын

Love my 2024 Sienna XSE! Spacious, fuel efficient and smooth ride. The premium package includes memory seats that my husband and I love the best. I sold my 2023 Highlander to get a Sienna which I never regret.

@Alrounderrrr 7 ай бұрын

Yes I agree, what’s the point of 3 row SUV when 3rd is unusable for adults

@TheSportsPROgram 8 ай бұрын

I rented a Sienna in Miami and drove around the East coast and this mini vans are just awesome Practicality room and comfort are the best

@HighStrangeDrifter 7 ай бұрын

Love the minivans I’ve driven, however, for the driving I do, I need ground clearance. I drive in DFW, NOLA, Oklahoma, New Mexico & Arkansas. Road construction and pot holes are so bad, they can easily bottom out a regular car. I would love all of the features of a minivan, but I’m guessing I’m not alone in discovering urban driving can include “off-roading”. An ideal car for me would be something like a Subaru. They stopped making the Honda Element, and the Mazda 5, never came with 8” of clearance.

@user-id7ti3sl2j 7 ай бұрын

I love them. I am trying to buy one. Thank you for the review.

@TURKTURKiYE 6 ай бұрын

Hugs from istanbul Türkiye , Thank you for the useful video. These minivans give me the feeling of home, it is very useful for up to 3 people on long journeys as they allow you to recline the seats and sleep with your legs fully extended.

@xinzhongwei8739 6 ай бұрын

Great video. I recognize the place you shot the video. It’s the Costco in Waltham. Agree on all the points. I’ll consider buying one next to replace my Corolla if I need the room to move stuff.

@RustyZipper 4 ай бұрын

Lol, I bought an old MBTA Crown Vic from Waltham

@NewCastleIndiana 8 ай бұрын

I owned three minivans at the same time once. I am a big minivan fan. That sienna you’re showing there to be more practical like all the other vehicles they need to get rid of that center console. I don’t know why you can’t sit someone in the middle of the front seat either. Full-size regular cab trucks do that. But still get rid of the center console Allow people to walk down the center. Even some SUVs have that. Mai Recently owned 2001 Toyota Highlander didn’t have a center console and you could get up and walk to the backseat more readily.

@SpiderMan-qh6vz 8 ай бұрын

We still have a 2016 Sienna XLE AWD (bought new) and awaiting a 2024 Grandhighlander XLE in November . The kids outgrew the Sienna and now looking forward to an SUV for road trips. The Sienna 3.5 L V6 is fantastic though.

@MinivanDad 7 ай бұрын

I just reviewed my own minivan '23 Sienna. The platinum trim here is really nice, the XSE trim I posted about doesn't have the acoustic glass and the suspension is definitely harsh IMO. Either way I agree 100% minivans are the way to go!

@MrMasterFlash 7 ай бұрын

The best thing you don't cover is you can fit 4x8 sheets of material, and have that material locked inside and not exposed to weather. Mine was great when I was remodeling my house.

@cvdavis Ай бұрын

I’ve owned half-tons, full sized vans, small trucks, and mini vans. Mini vans rock. So spacious, good on gas and convenient.

@CuNguyen-ct8nk 5 ай бұрын

One of the best purchases I ever made was for our Toyota Sienna. Even when my kids go off to college in 10 years I'll still be sporting a Sienna. Got a Camry and while I love how it drives. I miss having all the space that a minivan gives you.

@Freebirdz3 6 ай бұрын

I enjoy driving our family car, the Toyota Sienna. It is very comfortable, handles very nicely, and the practicality of the cabin layout cannot be beat.

@ministert5836 6 ай бұрын

Yes. Love this video. I feel the same way. I drive a Lexus es 350 and a Toyota Sienna.

@vfcs 7 ай бұрын

The HYBRID version of this is likely my next vehicle purchase a few years from now. However, Toyota needs to provide access to the rear from the front two seats without having to go outside the vehicle.

@thevashfan12392 7 ай бұрын

You're thinking a class C RV at that point.

@safffff1000 6 ай бұрын

They spoiled one of the key features of minivans over suv's, should at least be removable

@mandak9423 6 ай бұрын

I don’t think any of the latest minivans available have this feature. I’m currently driving a large passenger van and I know once we downsize I’m going to miss the ability to walk back when needed. I use that walk thru space quite frequently in small parking lots and the need to exit or enter from the sliding doors or back doors. Easier to take care of the kids without getting out of the vehicle too, nice when on the road late at night or traveling through sketchy looking areas.

@colinschmitz8297 7 ай бұрын

I liked the older Chrysler vans when they used soft suspensions and soft seats. Those were the perfect long distance trip vehicles. No matter the condition of the road, you were fine. Minivans just need a rebranding in three categories: 1. traditional luxury (soft seats and softer ride) 2. Utility (you can move huge items and are great for trips to Lowe's) 3. Affordability. How do you accomplish this? Use divisions correctly.

@vintageportal9031 8 ай бұрын

How does this compare to other vehicles in regards to safety? Thank you for your video! I truly appreciate the information you share!!! Enjoy Boston!!!

@CXINsoft 8 ай бұрын

Minivans are considered people mover, usually hauling kids around, therefore big name minivans all have 5 star rating in crash test.

@Specz187 7 ай бұрын

My first vehicle was a hand me down 88 chevy astro cl van. It was fun but rear wheel drive was terrible in ohio winter. I ended up getting a 99 dodge caravan later on. It was a huge upgrade. The dual sliding doors was nice. The engine had a lot of torque. Most of all the seats were super comfortable and so was the ride. Now own a 16 cruze and old land rover but been thinking of selling both to get another van. No kids, just a german shepherd lol

@robertovargas1823 8 ай бұрын

I love mini vans , I have a 2016 Toyota Sienna SE Premium, and I love it , out of all the cars I have had , Toyota Sienna is the best . The only downside is changing spark plugs . It’s a 5 hour job , and I have done it . Other than that it’s the very Best 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻❤️❤️❤️

@salembuckeye9030 6 ай бұрын

I loved our 2004 sienna van. Incredible vehicle that we ended up selling for $1,100 over high book after adding after market leather. Bought a 2013 Lexus RX350 next and that has also been an amazing, perfect vehicle.