2026 Toyota Sienna XLE: Green Brook Buyers Guide

The comfort trim

Where the LE covers the basics, the XLE is where a Sienna starts to feel like the family hauler you'd actually choose over an SUV. SofTex-trimmed heated front seats take the edge off a January warm-up in the Route 22 traffic circle; the second-row captain's chairs slide further back than the LE's bench, which matters for anyone loading kids into car seats or letting a teenager stretch out on a ride to the Shore. Four-zone climate control means the back seats stop fighting the front seats over temperature, and the jump to a 12.3-inch touchscreen makes the whole center stack easier to read and use than the LE's smaller 8-inch unit. Optional JBL Premium Audio is new to this trim level for 2026 — previously that upgrade started higher up the range.

Mechanically it's the same story as every Sienna: 2.5-liter engine plus electric motors, 245 combined horsepower, an eCVT, FWD standard with AWD optional at roughly $2,000 more, and EPA estimates of 36 mpg combined FWD (35 with AWD). Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 doesn't change trim to trim — XLE buyers aren't paying extra for safety, just comfort.

7 or 8 passengers — still your choice here

XLE is the second of only two Sienna trims (with LE) where Toyota still lets you pick a 2nd-row bench for 8-passenger seating instead of the standard captain's chairs. Everything above this trim — XSE, Woodland, Limited, Platinum — is captain's-chair-only. If eight seats matters and you also want the XLE's comfort upgrades, this is the last stop on the ladder where you can have both.

XLE vs. XSE: comfort or style

The XSE (from $48,045) doesn't actually add much in the way of comfort over the XLE — it swaps the family-friendly captain's-chair-and-bench flexibility for a sport-styled exterior with unique black accents, and it makes the upgraded 12-speaker JBL audio (with subwoofer and amp) standard instead of optional. It also drops the 8-passenger bench option entirely. For most Green Brook families cross-shopping the two, the decision comes down to whether the sportier look is worth losing the eight-seat configuration, since the interior comfort features carry over largely unchanged between the two.

What buyers say

Liliana K. bought her Sienna over a weekend with sales rep Luis Diaz: "Luis, the salesman, went above and beyond to get me the right deal, stay on budget and really worked with me to get exactly what I wanted! Luis is patient, kind and very knowledgeable!" Claudia V., a returning Empire Toyota of Green Brook customer, singled out how the team treated her family: "They listened to us, worked with us and even appreciated and took note that we were returning customers! No complaints!" And Robin, working with Kelvin and Justin S. on financing, noted the process was made "so easy… you truly went above and beyond to accommodate my needs."

Frequently asked questions

What's new on the XLE for 2026?

Optional JBL Premium Audio at this trim level for the first time, plus the lineup-wide additions of Heavy Metal gray paint availability and black roof rails now standard.

Does the XLE have heated seats?

Yes, SofTex-trimmed heated front seats are standard on XLE and every trim above it. The base LE does not include heated seats.

Is the XLE available with 8-passenger seating?

Yes — XLE and LE are the only two 2026 Sienna trims where the 2nd-row bench (8-passenger) configuration is offered alongside captain's chairs.

How much more is XLE than LE?

About $4,700 MSRP before destination ($44,820 vs. $40,120 FWD), for heated seats, captain's chairs, four-zone climate, the bigger touchscreen, and optional JBL audio.

Should I get AWD on the XLE?

For central New Jersey's winters, especially anyone regularly on the hillier roads around Warren, Watchung, or Basking Ridge, the roughly $2,000 AWD option on XLE is a reasonable add. Purely local, flat-road driving can usually get by on FWD with good all-season or winter tires.

Test drive an XLE in Green Brook

The XLE tends to move fastest off Empire Toyota of Green Brook's lot, so check current inventory before making the trip, or call (732) 658-9299 to have one held for a test drive.