2021 Toyota Sienna AWD and Highlander Hybrid AWD Offer Two Green Ways To Seat 8 Passengers
Many minivan and crossover shoppers have large families. While the seven-passenger, 2-2-3 seating arrangement is popular among many such families, there are those that want the seven-passenger option. At Toyota, such shoppers will find two great options. Both the Highlander Hybrid AWD crossover and Sienna AWD minivan offer a 2-3-3 seating arrangement with three middle row seats and also three-third-row seats.
All-Wheel Drive With 8-Passengers
While other companies do offer an 8-passenger minivan or crossover, or an all-wheel-drive vehicle, or a green vehicle, only Toyota offers shoppers a choice of two models that combine all three. You won't find such a vehicle at Tesla, or at Chrysler.
Toyota's Highlander Hybrid AWD is the crossover model. The Toyota Sienna AWD is the minivan option. Both can be combined with all-wheel drive and eight passengers.
Sienna AWD and Highlander AWD Fuel Economy
Typically, eight-passenger or all-wheel drive vehicles tend to be gas guzzlers. Combine the two, and the fuel economy suffers even more. Not so with the Toyota Sienna AWD and Highlander Hybrid AWD. Both have outstanding fuel economy. The Highlander Hybrid AWD is rated at 35 MPG by the EPA. The Sienna AWD with its hybrid engine standard earns a 36 MPG Combined EPA estimate. In our recent testing of the Sienna this week, we observed 38 MPG in real-world highway and suburban driving.
What's more, both have outstanding power and torque. The Highlander Hybrid AWD is rated at 243 hp and the Sienna AWD rated at 245 hp. However, it is the instant electric motor torque that provides the most satisfaction. Neither vehicles use a geared transmission, and neither relies on a turbocharger for its power. Therefore, the push you want comes much more quickly than in a conventionally-powered vehicle. No turbo lag and no waiting for the vehicle to downshift means faster performance.
Those families with a need for eight passengers but who also want all-wheel drive and outstanding fuel economy have just one brand at which to shop. The only question is whether the Highlander Hybrid AWD or Sienna AWD is the pick they prefer.
John Goreham is a long-time New England Motor Press Association member and recovering engineer. Following his engineering program, John also completed a marketing program at Northeastern University and worked with automotive component manufacturers. In addition to Torque News, John's work has appeared in print in dozens of American newspapers and he provides reviews to many vehicle shopping sites. You can follow John on Twitter, and view his credentials at Linkedin