DecodedCars2021 Toyota Sienna
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.
- Class
- Minivan - 2WD
- Body styles
- Minivan AWD, Minivan FWD
- Engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl
- Horsepower
- 189 hp
- Transmission
- CVT
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 7–8
- Fuel
- Hybrid
- MPG (best)
- 36 combined · 36 city / 36 hwy
- Length
- 203.5 in
- Curb weight
- 4,621–4,740 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 36 MPG combined — 41% better than the average 2021 minivan (25.5 MPG).
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
- Seats up to 83 rows of seating.
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
- Few owner complaints45 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 147 for similar models.
Watch out for
- Modest powerUp to 189 hp, versus about 280 hp for similar 2021 models.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 4 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2021 Toyota Sienna is a minivan offered with a 2.5L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 204 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 121-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,740 lb (Minivan AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 36 MPG combined (36 city / 36 highway), 41% better than the 2021 minivan average of 25.5 MPG, for an estimated $1,850 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 45 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2021
- New body dimensions: 3.5 in longer, wheelbase +1.2 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- New hybrid version
- Engine added: 2.5L 4-cyl
- Engine dropped: 3.5L 6-cyl
- Best combined MPG up from 21 to 36
Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 Sienna →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Princeton, Indiana
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2021 Sienna configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minivan AWD | 203.5 in | 78.3 in | 69.7 in | 120.5 in | 67.7 / 68.5 in | 4,740 lb | |
| Minivan FWD | 203.5 in | 78.3 in | 69.7 in | 120.5 in | 67.7 / 68.5 in | 4,621 lb | 55/45 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sienna Hybrid 2WD Hybrid | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 36 / 36 / 36 | +41% | $1,850 | 246 |
| Sienna Hybrid AWD Hybrid | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 35 / 36 / 35 | – | $1,900 | 253 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2021 Toyota Sienna.
Similar 2021 minivans
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Toyota Sienna (this car) | 36 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2021 Kia Sedona | 21 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2021 Honda Odyssey | 22 MPG | ★★★★★ | 8 |
| 2021 Chrysler Voyager | 22 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2021 Chrysler Pacifica | 30 MPG | ★★★★★ | 8 |
Recalls (4)
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility › Wheelchair Restraints/Securement › Latch/Anchor › · Dec 17, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V877000 · 1,019 vehicles
- Problem
- Vantage Mobility, LLC (VM) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Honda Odyssey, 2021-2025 Chrysler Pacifica, and Toyota Sienna vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
- Risk
- An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters was mailed January 27, 2026. Owners may contact Vantage Mobility customer service at 1-800-488-9082.
Seats › Mid/Rear Assembly › Recliner · Feb 13, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V086000 · 167,802 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Sienna Hybrid vehicles. The bolts for the seatbacks on the third-row seat assemblies may not be tightened properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints," 207, "Seating Systems," and 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
- Risk
- An improperly tightened seatback may not adequately restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will tighten the seat assembly bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 1, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 25TA05.
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification · Dec 20, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V865000 · 999,901 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
- Risk
- An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) › Control Module › Software · Apr 13, 2022
NHTSA campaign 22V239000 · 458,110 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Lexus LX 600, Lexus NX 350h, Lexus NX 450h+, Toytoa RAV4 Hybrid, 2021-2022 Lexus LS 500h, Toyota Mirai, RAV4 PRIME, Sienna, Venza, and 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The Skid Control ECU software may not turn on the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system when the vehicle is restarted after the driver has disabled the VSC system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
- Risk
- Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the Skid Control ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TA03. Lexus' number for this recall is 22LA01.
Not every 2021 Toyota Sienna is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2021 Toyota Sienna buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 13 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Service Brakes — 8 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Seats — 5 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 30,800 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2021 Toyota Sienna. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Sienna years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sienna | 36 | 203.5 in | Not rated | 1 | 18 |
| 2025 Sienna | 36 | 203.5 in | Not rated | 6 | 267 |
| 2024 Sienna | 36 | 203.5 in | Not rated | 4 | 69 |
| 2023 Sienna | 36 | 203.5 in | Not rated | 3 | 71 |
| 2022 Sienna | 36 | 203.5 in | Not rated | 5 | 22 |
| 2020 Sienna | 21 | 200 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 38 |
| 2019 Sienna | 22 | 200 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 45 |
| 2018 Sienna | 22 | 200 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 72 |
| 2017 Sienna | 22 | 200 in | ★★★★★ | 10 | 156 |
| 2016 Sienna | 21 | 200 in | Not rated | 5 | 76 |
| 2015 Sienna | 21 | 200 in | Not rated | 6 | 233 |
| 2014 Sienna | 21 | 200 in | Not rated | 6 | 153 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →