2014 Toyota Sienna XLE {#Review}

**Full Disclosure: I test-drove the 2014 Toyota Sienna for seven days for review purposes.  No compensation was received.  All opinions are my own. 

I learned how to drive in my mom’s minivan.  I didn’t think I’d ever want to drive one again!  But when I was given the opportunity to check out the 2014 Toyota Sienna, I couldn’t say no.  I wanted to see how far minivans have come in the last 15 years.

I was pleasantly surprised by the Sienna and all of its really cool features!  But I still don’t think I’m a ‘van mom’ … at least not yet.

My top five favorite features of the 2014 Toyota Sienna:

1. Sliding Doors – Having doors that couldn’t be manhandled was awesome!!  And I loved that there were open/close buttons on the key fob and in the van!  There was no chance of my kids accidentally slamming their doors into unsuspecting cars in parking lots.
2. Cruise Control – It seems silly, but the cruise control was so convenient.  The cruise control stick is positioned perfectly which made it super easy to use.
3. Backseat Mirror (& Sunglasses Holder) – The thing I love about my everyday car is that I can flip the rear view mirror to ‘night vision’ and see my kids.  I love that someone thought to put this handy little mirror in new cars (that don’t have that ‘flip down’ option)!
4. Push-button Start – I had a really hard time adjusting to the push-start button, but after I got used to it I thought it was really nice.  (If you haven’t used a push-button start, you’ll have to push the brake and the button at the same time.)
5. Cargo Space – I was really impressed with the amount of space in the back of the van!  I was able to fit all of my grocery bags without stacking any of them!  And there is a little compartment just big enough for the bread & eggs.

The changes I’d make: 

• The Sienna got about 20 miles per gallon.  I’d like to see that increased a bit, but I guess really I can’t complain!
• The center console display was stuck on a map.  I found it really distracting.  After talking to the Toyota rep, it can be changed, but it’s not easy, so I didn’t mess with it.
• My husband didn’t like the placement of the gear shifter, but it didn’t bother me at all.  (And when the Sienna went back, I found myself reaching for the gear shifter in that location in my car!)

Toyota Sienna standard features include: