Toyota Sienna

How it looks when you see it on the street: The Toyota Sienna Platinum AWD is a mean-looking minivan that has sharp angles and large swooping door panels. Once you wrap your head around #vanlife, the Sienna conveys the purpose nature of why people drive minivans: to do it all.

How it makes you feel when you get in: In charge — there’s something soothing about minivan driving that is like standing over the mission control booth. There’s storage compartments galore in the front and rear. We used the van for its intended purposes and then some: driving kids to a sport tournament and for a day trip. We had one kid on board in a booster seat and another who is a tween. Everyone feels like they have their own space in the Sienna, which is a beautiful thing. We also drove around a group of three adult artists through the streets of Boston, who marveled at the van’s snazzy backseat vibe and spaciousness. Sienna defies passenger expectations.

How it drives: We are in favor of Toyota’s move to offer the Sienna as hybrid, period. It’s a nice and smooth ride powered by that hybrid system that makes 245 horsepower and 288 pound-feet of torque and earns a very respectable fuel economy number of 35 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. The option for all wheel drive makes it perfect for wintery climates.

Space for people and things: Ample — there’s no beating the minivan’s roominess and Sienna is among the top choices in this category. We were able to bring all kinds of kids stuff, paintings, and never even came close to using up the rear cargo space.

Best Features: The 360-degree camera system makes it feel like the driver has eyes in the back of their head.

What should you compare it to: Honda Odyssey and the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. Or if you’re in the SUV market, give the minivan a chance.

How much does it cost: There’s hefty range in pricing for the Sienna from the base econo-van, the Sienna LE at $35,775 to the AWD Platinum model that we drove, priced at $53,770.