2018 Toyota Sienna — Carivo review 2018 model shown
Minivan

2018 Toyota Sienna

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $30,245–$39,800
Fuel Economy 30 MPG
Seating 8 passengers
Category Minivan
Est. Annual Fuel $1,750/yr
The 2018 Toyota Sienna scores 7.7/10 at Carivo, ranking #22 of 47 minivans, with 7 NHTSA recalls on record and an estimated $1,750/year fuel cost.

Key Specifications — 2018 Toyota Sienna

Seating Capacity8 passengers
Body StyleMinivan
Base Price$30,245–$39,800

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2018 Toyota Sienna

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 →

How It Ranks Among Minivans

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 →

5-Year Cost Snapshot — 2018 Toyota Sienna

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
InsuranceVaries 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.

Which Sienna Year Should You Buy?

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.

YearScoreStarting 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 →

Pros & Cons — 2018 Toyota Sienna

✓ What it does well

  • Proven long-term reliability — lower unplanned repair costs than class average
  • Top-tier safety scores across crash tests and driver-assistance tech
  • Good overall value; holds its own against pricier alternatives in the segment

✗ Where it falls short

  • Performance is a genuine liability — well below class rivals and worth factoring into any decision
  • Tech suite is functional but lags behind segment-best options; some features cost extra

NHTSA Recalls — 2018 Toyota Sienna (7 on record)

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 →

Common Questions — 2018 Toyota Sienna

Is the 2018 Toyota Sienna reliable?

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).

How many recalls does the 2018 Toyota Sienna have?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Is the 2018 Toyota Sienna worth buying?

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.

How much does the 2018 Toyota Sienna cost?

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.

Which Sienna years should you avoid?

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.

What problems does the 2018 Toyota Sienna have?

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.

Owner Essentials — Toyota Sienna

Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

All-weather floor mats → Dash cam → OBD2 scanner → Phone mount →

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Similar Minivan to Consider

Other minivans at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.

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