2018 Toyota Sienna
Independent review & score by Carivo
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 8 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Minivan |
| Base Price | $30,245–$39,800 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2018 Toyota Sienna is a minivan that earns a Carivo score of 7.7/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.7/10, while Performance at 6.1/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability stands out at 8.7/10. The Sienna nameplate has earned that score through its track record and a comparatively clean recall sheet. On safety, it scores 8.6/10 in our assessment. Always confirm the official crash-test results for your exact trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 6.1/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. At 7.4/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $30,245–$39,800, 30 MPG, seating 8, the Toyota Sienna sits in the mid-market bracket of the minivan segment. At 7.5/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 8 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2018 Toyota Sienna will scare a sensible buyer off. Keep an eye on performance if those matter to you; otherwise it does what a good minivan should — quietly and competently.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2018 Toyota Sienna ranks #22 of 47 minivans in the Carivo database — better than 55% of the segment. Its 7.7/10 overall score is 0.1 points above the segment average of 7.6/10. Its $30,245 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $33,751 by about 10%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Minivan ranking →
| Fuel (75,000 miles) | ~$8,750 ($1,750/year at $3.50/gal) |
|---|---|
| Recall repairs | $0 — 7 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers |
| Insurance | Varies widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying |
We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.
Smart-money pick: the 2015 Toyota Sienna scores 7.7/10 — within striking distance of the 2018's 7.7 — and starts roughly $3,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8.0/10 | $37,991 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 8.0/10 | $37,991 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 8.0/10 | $36,885 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 8.0/10 | $35,778 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 8.0/10 | $34,671 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 8.0/10 | $33,565 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.8/10 | $32,458 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.8/10 | $31,352 | Read review → |
| 2018 (this review) | 7.7/10 | $30,245 | |
| 2017 | 7.7/10 | $29,139 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.7/10 | $28,032 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.7/10 | $26,926 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.
| Fuel system, gasoline / Delivery / Fuel pump 04/11/2020 · 20V682000 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020… |
|---|---|
| Fuel system, gasoline / Delivery / Fuel pump 13/01/2020 · 20V012000 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota… |
| Steering 16/07/2019 · 19V532000 | Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain modified 2017-2020 Toyota Sienna vehicles. The steering shaft extensions may have been improperly manufactured, possibly causing the extensions to fracture. |
| Service brakes, hydraulic / Foundation components / Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings 04/06/2019 · 19V410000 | Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Toyota Sienna mobility van conversions. The brake lines may have incorrect tube nut fittings installed, which may cause a pressure drop within the braking system. |
| Equipment / Other / Labels 28/06/2019 · 19V503000 | Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota Camry, Corolla, Rav4, Sienna, and Yaris iA vehicles equipped with factory-installed floor mats. The load carrying capacity modification label may be incorrect. As such, these… |
Showing 5 of 7 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
Own a 2018 Toyota Sienna that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →
We rate the 2018 Toyota Sienna's reliability 8.7/10 — one of the stronger records in its class. It has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
7 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.7/10 overall, ranking #22 of 47 minivans in our database (better than 55% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2018 Toyota Sienna starts at $30,245 and ranges up to $39,800 across trims (MSRP when new). At 30 MPG, expect roughly $1,750/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
No standout weak years: across the 12 Sienna model years we've scored, every year lands within half a point of the best (8.0/10). Pick on price and condition rather than year.
The documented issues for the 2018 Toyota Sienna are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Fuel system, gasoline, Steering, Service brakes, hydraulic, Equipment (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.
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Explore the full lineup of Toyota models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.