I Almost Bought a Toyota Sienna for My Family, But These 5 Factors Made Me Reconsider

Did you ever swear to yourself that when you became a parent, you would not buy a minivan? Why do people love them so much, anyway? Then you became a parent and realized minivans are where it's at. The majority of the parenting population can attest to this very real fact. One of the more popular minivans around is the Toyota Sienna. With its standout features, it's hard to resist. In fact, I almost bought a Toyota Sienna for my family, but these seven factors made me change my mind. (Read: 5 Drawback to Buying a Telsa Model Y.)

To compile a list of the Toyota Sienna's drawbacks, Moms Who Think consulted multiple sources. Then, we created a list of common reasons that people choose not to buy this minivan or the reasons they may regret buying it in the first place. Then, we compiled a list of alternatives better suited for your family than the Toyota Sienna.

Every vehicle has its own list of standout features. These are features that make the vehicle stand out above the crowd. They appeal to the customer base for several reasons, peaking interest and desire to own this particular brand or style. In the case of the Toyota Sienna, most of the customer base is families, and this is because their standout features appeal to the average parent. Let's take a look at what they are.

The advanced safety features are one of the best parts of owning a Toyota Sienna. The company takes the safety of its owners incredibly serious. The Toyota Sienna comes equipped with a pre-collision system, pedestrian detection, road sign assist, and lane tracing assist. These safety features and more ensure that the driver is well-equipped to travel in complete safety.

This vehicle is considered one of the most reliable minivans on the market, including long-term reliability. The reliability can be attributed to the quality of the van and the engine's durability. When the quality of the build is superior, owners can relax knowing they (hopefully) do not have to spend a fortune on maintenance costs.

This brings me to the next point. The Toyota Sienna is built with the consumer in mind, with high quality. This means that the average maintenance cost for a Toyota Sienna is actually lower than that of a typical minivan.

This vehicle, despite being a minivan, is considered luxurious and comfortable. This perk is right up the alley of large families. It means they can ride in comfort and style while still being able to carpool their families around.

Features that make the Toyota Sienna feel luxurious include:

• Leather
• High-quality materials
• Refined finishing touches
• Heated seats
• In-car voice projection
• Second-row ottomans
• Plenty of space
• Smooth travel

When it comes to owning a vehicle, an important factor is how efficient it is on fuel. Large families don't want to break the bank every couple of days by putting gas in a vehicle that guzzles it. The Toyota Sienna is known for its incredible fuel efficiency. On average, it has an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 36 miles per gallon.

Some models of this vehicle have all-wheel drive. This means that the Sienna will give you better stability and traction in difficult weather. All-wheel drive provides an extra layer of peace when families have to travel in less-than-ideal conditions.

The Sienna is a hybrid vehicle. This means that it has at least one gas-powered engine and one electric motor engine inside. This hybrid model allows the two engines to work together or even take turns powering the vehicle.

The Toyota Sienna has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motors, which work together to create 245 horsepower.

Like everything, the Toyota Sienna does come with some drawbacks. Of course, nothing is perfect. That means you must weigh the pros and cons of owning this particular vehicle. Do the pros outweigh the cons? Or is it simply not worth it? So, grab your pen and pencil, and let's take a deeper look at the reasons people regret buying the Toyota Sienna.

Power sliding doors are amazing—until they aren't. Being able to push a button makes life easier. The doors slide open, freeing up hands and making it easier for little ones to scramble into the van. However, if the power sliding door decides to go kerplunk on you, it can cause many problems.

The doors have been known to develop a mind of their own (not really, just when the power is going haywire.) This can look like the doors refusing to open or opening and then shutting right away automatically when you don't want them to. This can be a pain because it means you must take the vehicle to the mechanic to get fixed, a cost some people don't want.

Once the Toyota Sienna begins to put miles on it, you may start to hear a rear suspension noise. This noise can be caused by a number of issues, including loose bearings, dry bushings, or damaged shock absorbers.

It has been reported that the transmissions of older Toyota Sienna models have commonly failed. This problem can be a pain for Toyota owners. Not only is it an inconvenience, but it can also cost a pretty penny to replace a transmission.

Some owners have stated that the seating arrangements in the Toyota Sienna can be less than ideal. For those who are a little on the taller side, the seats can be uncomfortable. Additionally, the second-row seating is non-removable. This non-feature can inconvenience families who need more room to cart things around.

The Toyota Sienna can start at a higher price point. For a newer model, the cost typically starts around $40,000 and goes up. This doesn't mean you can't purchase a used older model. However, they may still be on the pricier side. Therefore, it is important to evaluate if the cost point is essential to your family before buying a Toyota Sienna.

You are in luck if you are looking for a vehicle similar to the Toyota Sienna. Check out these SUVs and minivans. They come with features similar to the Toyota Sienna's, are highly rated, and are incredibly efficient. This means you can rest easily, knowing your family is safe in these vehicles.

The Kia Carnival is an excellent alternative to the Toyota Sienna for several reasons. Owners still get the luxurious feeling and fantastic safety features. Furthermore, it provides incredible cargo storage, making it easier to cart around the million items you have as a parent.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee L is known for its large size, putting it right up there with the Sienna. It also has an infotainment system, which is a screen that holds all the important details that you need in your vehicle. Another perk? Passengers can ride in comfort in the leather seats.

Families often consider the Honda Odyssey right alongside the Toyota Sienna. It also has large seating accommodations and amazing safety features, including Honda Sensing and the infotainment center. Furthermore, the Honda Odyssey also has magic slide second-row seats, which make it much easier for passengers to get to the back of the vehicle.

The Toyota Sienna can make a great family vehicle. There are several positives that come with owning one, including fuel efficiency, advanced safety features, and the luxury and comfort it brings. However, like everything in the world, the Toyota Sienna also comes with its drawbacks. Maintenance costs can be higher than those of alternatives. Additionally, the transmission is known to often give out in older models. If you are leaning towards buying a Toyota Sienna but the cons are stalling you, take a few minutes to check out the alternatives, like the Kia Carnival or the Honda Odyssey. Who knows, you may find your next favorite family vehicle.