19 Nov 6th-Nov 12th, 2025 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | Questions? Feedback? Email me at [email protected] • Follow me on RATING (out of 5 McFly’s) THE COOL DAD FLEX: 2025 TOYOTA SIENNA PLATINUM HYBRID PROVES MINIVANS CAN STILL HAVE SWAGGER 2025 TOYOTA SIENNA PLATINUM HYBRID The 2025 Toyota Sienna The 2025 Toyota Sienna Platinum rolls in at a cool $58,774, Platinum rolls in at a cool $58,774, which sounds like a lot until you which sounds like a lot until you realize it’s basically a luxury hotel realize it’s basically a luxury hotel suite with sliding doors. This suite with sliding doors. This thing runs on a 2.5-liter hybrid thing runs on a 2.5-liter hybrid system pushing out 245 horses, system pushing out 245 horses, sipping fuel like a polite guest at sipping fuel like a polite guest at around 36 MPG combined. It’s around 36 MPG combined. It’s the kind of van that makes you the kind of van that makes you feel responsible and rebellious feel responsible and rebellious at the same time—hauling kids, at the same time—hauling kids, camping gear, or an entire Costco camping gear, or an entire Costco haul without feeling like you’ve haul without feeling like you’ve given up on joy. The Platinum given up on joy. The Platinum trim adds the fancy stuff: leather trim adds the fancy stuff: leather captain’s chairs, a massive captain’s chairs, a massive infotainment screen, and enough infotainment screen, and enough USB ports to power a LAN party. USB ports to power a LAN party. What really hits is how What really hits is how surprisingly fun it is to drive. Sure, surprisingly fun it is to drive. Sure, it’s a minivan, but the Sienna it’s a minivan, but the Sienna Platinum doesn’t lumber like one. Platinum doesn’t lumber like one. The steering feels precise, the The steering feels precise, the ride’s smooth and confident, and ride’s smooth and confident, and with all-wheel drive available, with all-wheel drive available, you can actually take this family you can actually take this family spaceship into less-than-perfect spaceship into less-than-perfect terrain. Toyota nailed the hybrid terrain. Toyota nailed the hybrid transition—acceleration is punchy transition—acceleration is punchy when you need it, and the electric when you need it, and the electric assist smooths out the stop-and- assist smooths out the stop-and- go grind like butter. You might go grind like butter. You might even find yourself smiling during even find yourself smiling during errands, which is a dangerous errands, which is a dangerous precedent for any adult. precedent for any adult. Inside, it’s cavernous. There’s Inside, it’s cavernous. There’s room for seven or eight full-grown room for seven or eight full-grown humans, plus whatever weird humans, plus whatever weird hobbies they bring with them. The hobbies they bring with them. The materials feel upscale, visibility materials feel upscale, visibility is excellent, and every surface is excellent, and every surface seems to have been designed seems to have been designed by someone who’s cleaned up a by someone who’s cleaned up a spilled juice box before. The 2025 spilled juice box before. The 2025 Sienna Platinum isn’t pretending Sienna Platinum isn’t pretending to be a muscle car—it’s a to be a muscle car—it’s a masterclass in practical luxury. masterclass in practical luxury. It’s a van that says, “Yeah, I’ve It’s a van that says, “Yeah, I’ve settled down… but I still rock out settled down… but I still rock out on the way to soccer practice.” on the way to soccer practice.” Comfort: Value: Fuel Economy: Looks: The Drive: Safety & Security: Overall: Sound System: Bells & Whistles:
