The 2020 Toyota Sienna has a new Nightshade Edition package, available on SE models with four specific exterior colors including black metallic, silver metallic, red pearl, and white. (Manufacturer photo)

The 2020 Toyota Sienna has a new Nightshade Edition package, available on SE models with four specific exterior colors including black metallic, silver metallic, red pearl, and white. (Manufacturer photo)

Toyota Sienna minivan is a roomy, reliable people-hauler

It’s the only minivan available with all-wheel drive. In 2020, there’s a Nightshade Edition package.

The Toyota Sienna minivan, a roomy and reliable transporter of people, pets and things, is unchanged for 2020 but does introduce an enticing new Nightshade Edition package. The package is available on SE models, and only with four exterior colors: Midnight Black Metallic, Celestial Silver Metallic, Salsa Red Pearl, and Super White. All Midnight Edition interiors are black.

The Nightshade Edition package ($700) is available for front-wheel and all-wheel drive versions. It adds a black sport mesh front grille, black door handles, black 19-inch wheels (18-inch for all-wheel drive), a black spoiler, black mirror caps, and black Toyota badges.

The Toyota Sienna has seating for eight when equipped with a second-row bench, or seven if captain’s chairs occupy that space.

Sienna’s second-row seats don’t fold into the floor, they require physical removal to free up that space for cargo. It’s a disadvantage compared to some of Sienna’s competition, but Sienna earns bonus points for being the only minivan available with all-wheel drive.

There are five Sienna trim levels: L, LE, SE, XLE, and Limited. All trims except the L are available with all-wheel drive, and there are Premium levels for the top three trims.

All 2020 Toyota Siennas with the Nightshade Edition package have black interiors. (Manufacturer photo)

All 2020 Toyota Siennas with the Nightshade Edition package have black interiors. (Manufacturer photo)

Toyota Mobility offers the LE and XLE models with an Auto Access Seat that has a 330-pound lift capacity.

The 2020 Sienna base pricing begins with the front-drive L grade with eight-passenger seating, at $32,685. The top-of-the line Limited Premium with seven-passenger seating and all-wheel drive goes for $50,460. These prices include a $1,120 destination charge.

Sienna’s engine is a 3.5-liter V6 producing a hearty 296 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque. Along with its partner, an eight-speed automatic transmission, it propels the Sienna admirably and without fanfare. Undue engine noise isn’t the only sound suppression inside Sienna. Wind noise and road noise get the No Trespassing treatment, too.

Sienna’s pleasant ride, including the absorption of serious bumps in the road, is one of its most noteworthy qualities. Another nicety is Sienna’s maneuverability. Judging strictly from the looks of its enormous interior, you’d expect to be making a lot of three-point turns. But no, Sienna’s turning radius is tight. It can swirl on streets that would stymie most people haulers.

Fuel economy ratings for the Sienna I drove, an AWD Limited Premium model, are 18 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined. Toyota recommends regular unleaded gasoline.

A black sport mesh front grille is part of the Nightshade Edition package for the 2020 Toyota Sienna. (Manufacturer photo)

A black sport mesh front grille is part of the Nightshade Edition package for the 2020 Toyota Sienna. (Manufacturer photo)

2020 TOYOTA SIENNA LIMITED PREMIUM AWD

Base price, including destination charge: $50,460

Price as driven: $51,602

Mary Lowry is an independent automotive writer who lives in Snohomish County. She is a member of the Motor Press Guild, and a member and past president of the Northwest Automotive Press Association. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturers as a one-week loan for review purposes only. In no way do the manufacturers control the content of the reviews.

Talk to us

More in Life

Ash was rescued along with Dexter, just before his euthanasia date. (Luisa Loi / Whidbey News-Times)
Whidbey Island woman rescues 300 German shepherds

“Can I save them all? No,” Renee Carr, of Oak Harbor said. “But I’m gonna try my hardest.”

The 2023 Infiniti QX80 has standard rear-wheel drive and optional four-wheel drive available on all models. (Infiniti)
2023 Infiniti QX80 is powerful and posh

A mighty V8 engine does the work while a luxurious interior provides the pleasure.

Kotor's zigzagging town wall rewards climbers with a spectacular view. (Cameron Hewitt / Rick Steves' Europe)
Rick Steves: Just south of Dubrovnik lies unpolished Montenegro

One of Europe’s youngest nations offers dramatic scenery, locals eager to show off their unique land, and a refreshing rough-around-the-edges appeal.

Artist Michelle Downes prepares to work on a few canvases in her garage workspace on Thursday, July 6, 2023, at her family’s home in Stanwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Stanwood artist Michelle Downes creates layered dreamscapes in resin

Resin is one part chemistry and one part artistry. Downes combines the two to make art that captures the imagination.

With winter on the way, October is the time to tuck and roll

That means preparing to put our gardens to bed while taking stock of the season gone by so we can plan for the year ahead.

Made by Bruce Hutchison, the poster for “A Momentary Diversion on the Road to the Grave” is an homage to 1985 classic “The Goonies.” (Photo provided)
Indie film premiering on Whidbey Island

Filmed almost entirely on Whidbey Island, “A Momentary Diversion on the Road to the Grave” is set to premiere in Langley.

TSR image only
Does your elementary school child have ADHD?

It’s important to identify children with this condition so we can help them succeed in school.

Great Plant Pick: Acer japonicum Aconitifolium

Fernleaf full moon maple, known for its foliage, develops brilliant fall color whether in full sun or shade.

Home grocery delivery predates online shopping by decades

This bicycle from 1930s England was built for delivering groceries. It sold at auction for $1,200 in U.S. currency.

Barb Denton smiles and laughs with her Jeep Cherokee Laredo that she has driven for 32 years on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Red Dragon,’ stolen from Sea-Tac, mysteriously returns home to Everett

Barb Denton’s rig of 348,000 miles was found three miles from home, intact, with a half-tank of gas and an empty bag of Oberto sticks.

This photo provided by OceanGate Expeditions shows a submersible vessel named Titan used to visit the wreckage site of the Titanic. In a race against the clock on the high seas, an expanding international armada of ships and airplanes searched Tuesday, June 20, 2023, for the submersible that vanished in the North Atlantic while taking five people down to the wreck of the Titanic. (OceanGate Expeditions via AP)
A new movie based on OceanGate’s Titan submersible tragedy is in the works: ‘Salvaged’

MindRiot announced the film, a fictional project titled “Salvaged,” on Friday.

This Vacasa rental is disgusting. Can I get my money back?

The vacation rental Carol Wilson books for her group through Vacasa is infested with rats and insects. Vacasa offers to refund one night, but can they get all of their money back?