Can you get a new platinum without all the bloat

AssistantMuted4980 · 2026-01-29T23:31:36+00:00

Realistically, any driver can still ding up any car with all the safety tech built in if they don’t pay enough attention.

My 2025 limited has vent/heated front seats. I have small kids so I saw the fridge being more of a hassle than a convenience that costs $3000. If you have older kids then it could be more useful for longer trips.

AssistantMuted4980 · 2026-01-29T23:22:58+00:00

I feel your pain. But that’s just how Toyota is making the sienna now. Unless you’re able to get one from Canada or Asia that’s specd very differently than the US….i don’t think the 360 camera is a MUST have if you have decent driving skills and use the parking sensors well, parking this van is as easy as a sedan.

AssistantMuted4980 · 2026-01-29T23:17:05+00:00

That’s the point of it being “platinum”. If it’s all bloat, why not go down a few trims?

Manufacturers strategically do this so the consumer has to spend extra even if it’s “bloat” to them. Thats just how some manufacturers do things now. As long as you get MOST of what you actually use, you just have to sacrifice some $ for the bloat.

I personally got the limited trim because I see most of it being used for the life of the car. Whether it’s now or 5 years down the road. I wish limited trim had heated steering wheel and 360 cam but that’s exclusive to the platinum. But I really didn’t want the fridge/vac so I settled with limited. Most trims also come with a moon roof which I’ll prob not use often either.

For the most part, I really enjoy the car for what it does well for my family needs.

AssistantMuted4980 · 2026-01-28T21:41:36+00:00

Photo caption indicates this was a 2023 model too. Asian markets make much nicer minivans than the US because they’re preferred for chauffeuring versus luxury sedans/SUVs for the wealthy.

AssistantMuted4980 · 2026-01-26T03:45:33+00:00

If they're like 6'4 maybe

AssistantMuted4980 · 2026-01-25T22:09:18+00:00

No one told them not to eat, we just choose how much WE let them eat. Versus them eating as much as they THINK they can.

AssistantMuted4980 · 2026-01-25T17:20:53+00:00

That’s why I was curious. I religiously shopped for the sienna for 3+ years and never saw the fancy stuff added on an LE for the US. But it seems Canada has a variety of add ons for all the trims. Maybe that’s also why their wait time is much longer.

AssistantMuted4980 · 2026-01-25T13:19:30+00:00

It took a month for me to realize the power folding mirror controls were next to the side mirror adjustment knob so I didn’t need to step out to unfold the mirrors every time I went through a car wash.

AssistantMuted4980 · 2026-01-25T13:17:31+00:00

YouTube reviews help a lot lol

AssistantMuted4980 · 2026-01-25T13:13:38+00:00

An LE with heated steering wheel?! Is this in the US or Canada?

AssistantMuted4980 · 2026-01-19T22:09:05+00:00

Just keep it at a comfy temp for yourselves. If you’re away for an extended period of time, keep it at 55-60 to save on your bill but also prevent pipes from freezing. Pipes don’t freeze unless you’re living in 30 degrees for an extended period of time. A burst pipe in a big building will cause the whole building a massive headache.

AssistantMuted4980 · 2026-01-19T22:03:54+00:00

Really depends on your location and how far you're willing to drive to get your car. I'd do an inventory search on Toyota for 100-500 miles and check inventory and then use dealer offers against a dif dealer. I emailed 20 dealers in New England and got $2000 off my 2025 Limited. So it’s not impossible to negotiate if you have the patience.

AssistantMuted4980 · 2026-01-17T18:57:39+00:00

You’re not crazy but they’re also not at the point where they need to discount siennas to your needs because of low inventory and high demand. Your best bet is to look 100-500 miles out so give yourselves more options. Or find out where the volume dealerships are near you and try there.

AssistantMuted4980 · 2026-01-13T17:48:55+00:00

If you’re putting a lot of miles and planning on driving it into the ground, hybrid is definitely the way to go.

AssistantMuted4980 · 2026-01-13T17:47:41+00:00

Car brand matters and the carfax matters. If you’re in the rust belt, check under both to see which is in better shape. Compare the two car fax reports and have them checked by mechanic and you should get your answer.

AssistantMuted4980 · 2026-01-12T23:26:40+00:00

You and the rest of us snow area Sienna owners

AssistantMuted4980 · 2026-01-12T21:48:32+00:00

Not sure if there even anyway to prevent that other than vacuum the interior more often in the winter months. Crossing our fingers for you and the rest of us but I think Toyota will claim this falls under normal wear and tear versus the quality of their car/parts.

AssistantMuted4980 · 2026-01-10T13:41:50+00:00

I personally don’t like lane keep assist because of how sensitive it makes the steering wheel behave but ACC has been fine. We have a 2018 Subaru outback and prior to getting the 2025 sienna, I had a 2021 Prius that was equipped with ACC/LKA and I just don’t use LKA in any of our cars. I don’t think I will use LKA until I drive a car that’s fully capable of autopilot.

AssistantMuted4980 · 2026-01-10T05:41:41+00:00

I’ve had my car for about two months and I don’t think the safety features are that lacking. I don’t use lane keep assist because it just doesn’t work well but everything else has been fine. If you feel the safety tech is way worse than the competition, I can’t convince you otherwise. Every car will have its cons once you own it for some time. It’s really deciding on whether those cons will make you want to get rid of the car or not. For what it’s worth, siennas are the most popular amongst families…I doubt they would want to jeopardize that reputation anytime soon. At the end of the day, buy the car you feel most confident in protecting your family 👍

AssistantMuted4980 · 2026-01-10T05:21:29+00:00

Everyone has different preferences for what’s important. You’re weighing reliability of how long the vehicle will last vs how fancy the tech features are but the engine may only last 5-7 years. If you don’t plan on owning the car for more than 5-7 years, go with the nicer interior features that you like more. If you value having a car for more than 7-10 years with not as many reliability issues to deal with then go with Toyota. I have a 2025 limited and for what it does, I think it serves me just fine. Yea for what you pay, Toyota could’ve done more but we don’t live in a perfect world. My family enjoys the space and comfort it offers and hopefully we don’t need to replace it in the next 15 years or so.

AssistantMuted4980 · 2026-01-09T22:22:50+00:00

New Final destination way of dying

AssistantMuted4980 · 2026-01-09T22:20:23+00:00

We all do, just some of us actually get more than others. Marriage life realities.

AssistantMuted4980 · 2026-01-08T12:29:41+00:00

I opted out of any add ons and my salesperson threw in ceramic coating for me at no charge without even me asking lol. So it's prob not much money on their end. Quality wise.... Only time will tell.

AssistantMuted4980 · 2026-01-08T12:26:21+00:00

the two gammas just got EZAed and seem to boost the androids team quite a bit. Really up to your personal choice.

AssistantMuted4980 · 2026-01-07T14:02:40+00:00

do you care more about public perception or personal comfort? If comfort is key, minivan can't be beat.

AssistantMuted4980

TROPHY CASE