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2024 Toyota Sienna ownership review: Why I chose it over Kia Carnival

29th April 2024, 16:02 by Brij Gawde

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Having owned SUVs in the past, none of them were considered due to practicality.

BHPian vj123 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

2024 Toyota Sienna Limited

Likes:

Ride.
Practicality.
Interior space & finish.
Physical infotainment controls.
Powertrain - Hybrid with All Wheel Drive.
Fuel consumption - 36mpg / 600 miles with a full tank.

Dislikes:

Acceleration.
Dealer inventory.
Driver seating position.
Exterior design language.
Pricier than the competition.
Infotainment interface/software.

Vehicles considered

We have been thinking about adding a bigger vehicle to meet the growing family needs. Having owned SUVs in the past, none of them were considered due to practicality. The requirement for this purchase was straightforward: Minivan with rear entertainment system. Since all minivans have rear entertainment as an option, we looked at all vehicles in the segment and listed them in the order they were ruled out.

Chrysler Pacifica:

I have driven it with my family and we knew what to expect. Pacifica was ruled out even without a test drive due to the reliability issues associated with the brand. Chrysler used to offer OEM-backed lifetime warranty (with unlimited miles) in the past and I had that warranty on my 2018 Durango. If that warranty was still available, Pacifica might have been a serious contender.

Honda Odyssey:

Having owned two of them (MY2019 & MY2022), it would have been a safe bet to get another Odyssey as we were accustomed to the vehicle. 6 six-cylinder engines and better driving dynamics were a big plus. In addition, dealers were offering good discounts on in-stock vehicles and Honda offered 2.49% APR for 48 months (great APR in the current market). But with the other options in the market, Odyssey felt outdated and it was already due for an update (with a hybrid option) within the next year.

Kia Carnival:

Carnival is the new kid on the block and offers a compelling package. It's the best looking in the segment (looks like an SUV) loaded with tech & features and comes with the best factory warranty in the market. LCI (MY2025) will bring in a hybrid powertrain but we were not planning to wait longer and not having AWD was a letdown.