The 2022 Toyota Sienna XSE minivan is a talented conveyor of people and cargo, fulfilling its duties with style and grace, all the while delivering excellent fuel economy thanks to the hybrid power system that is standard on every Sienna model.
Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional on all Siennas except the new-for-2022 Woodland Edition, which is exclusively all-wheel drive.
The Sienna XSE is considered the sporty model in a lineup of six trim levels. Its seven-passenger seating includes two posh captain’s chairs for the middle row. The chairs have a super-long-slide feature for movement forward and backward to achieve optimum situational preferences, including easy access to the third row seats.
Distinguishing exterior features on the Sienna XSE are a metallic black sport mesh grille, black sport mesh lower rear bumper, and black heated power outside mirrors with blind spot warning indicators. Twenty-inch dark wheels are standard for XSE front-drive versions. With all-wheel drive, the XSE rolls on metallic 18-inchers.
Interior attributes of the 2022 Toyota Sienna XSE include high-quality materials, multiple stowage bins and cubbies, and a multimedia system with 9-inch touchscreen. (Toyota)
Upgrades on the XSE beyond what’s found on the base model include Softex sport-trimmed heated front seats, eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar, and four-way power adjustability for the front passenger seat. A handy one-motion stow feature for the 60/40 split third-row seat makes folding and lifting the seats easier than they’d be without it.
My Sienna XSE tester was given a high-intensity workout when I drove it to the Portland area for a graduation in the family, where it served as the designated ride for a bunch of us. Every seat was occupied, and not just with children, the typical minivan payload. We had two guys more than 6 feet 5 inches tall, three standard-sized adults, and two teens on board. The Sienna couldn’t have been more heavily loaded if it were stuffed with anvils. But everyone was comfortable, no one felt cramped, and the Sienna didn’t bog down. As an aside: It was great fun having all of us together in one car, something we couldn’t have done without the Sienna.
Yet more credit is due for the way Sienna behaves on the highway (smooth and quiet even at freeway speeds), around town (easy to maneuver in tight spaces), and at the gas pump, where it saves money and fuel.
Sienna’s fuel economy rating is 36 mpg for city, highway and combined driving. With an 18-gallon fuel tank, my Sienna seemed like it might keep going indefinitely without needing a fill-up.
A black sport mesh lower rear bumper is a distinguishing feature of the 2022 Toyota Sienna XSE minivan. (Toyota)
2022 TOYOTA SIENNA XSE
Base price, including destination charge: $44,040
Price as driven: $46,455
Mary Lowry is a member of the Motor Press Guild and a member and past president of the Northwest Automotive Press Association. She lives in Snohomish County. Vehicles are provided by automotive manufacturers as a one-week loan for evaluation purposes only. Manufacturers do not control content of the reviews.
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