Toyota USA has announced a minor change to the Highlander for the 2025 model year, featuring “Advanced Rear Seat Reminder” technology, which significantly reduces the risk of leaving children or pets in the back seat. A radar-based security system alerts drivers with hazard lights, a horn, and smartphone notifications when there are occupants in the vehicle. This enhanced safety system is standard on all trim levels, helping to ensure peace of mind for families. To keep up with the hustle and bustle of everyday life, a new vacuum cleaner and refrigerator box™ has been added. These features are beautifully displayed in the front center console and are standard on the Platinum trim and optional on the Limited. Additionally, the latest Toyota audio multimedia system is standard, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen available as an option. The car’s audio system has been further improved.
Toyota Sienna (USA) partial improvement 2025 model
Toyota 2025 Sienna
For the 2025 model year, all trim levels have been redesigned, with leather seats available on the Platinum and Limited trim levels. The striking Macadamia and Black color scheme is particularly noteworthy. The XSE, Woodland Edition, and XLE trim feature easy-to-clean SofTex® trim, while the LE trim level features gray woven fabric seats, creating a simple yet stylish cabin.
The center console varies depending on the grade: the Platinum and Limited models have a luxurious woodgrain finish, the XSE and Woodland Edition have a glossy black finish, and the XLE and LE models have a dark gray anodized aluminum finish. The Edition also comes with exclusive outdoor-inspired all-weather floor mats and a rear cargo mat featuring a pine tree design.
The XSE, Woodland Edition, Limited, and Platinum trim levels now feature a customizable 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, while the Qi wireless smartphone charger has been updated to fifth-generation technology and is now standard across all trim levels. Other exciting features include dual microphones for improved call clarity and a USB-C charging port.
The exterior has also been completely redesigned, with the Platinum grade now featuring two-tone metallic clad wheels, while the Woodland Edition features six-spoke dark alloy wheels. The XSE and Woodland Edition feature dark door handles, grille, and side window trim for a sophisticated look. Additionally, all grades now feature a Beyond Zero badge at the rear, indicating a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), reflecting Toyota’s commitment to a sustainable future.
The 2025 Sienna also features an electronically controlled torque vectoring AWD system that efficiently distributes power to the rear wheels for stable driving performance. This system is particularly effective on snowy and rainy days, and demonstrates its capabilities in a wide range of situations, from everyday driving to outdoor activities.
2025 Toyota Sienna: Calls your cell phone if you leave a child in the back seat
The 2025 Toyota Sienna will be the first Toyota vehicle to feature Advanced Rear Seat Reminder, a new technology that significantly reduces the risk of leaving children in the back seat. Every year, reports of children and pets losing their lives in cars due to heat or cold are reported, and Toyota is proactively addressing this issue.
While previous models also had a system for changing rear seat alerts, the Sienna’s new system is more sophisticated and adds more powerful driver notifications. When radar-based technology detects someone in the back seat, it first shuts off the hazard lights and chimes the door lock nine times. If you ignore this for 90 seconds, the horn will sound. If you still can’t open the door after four minutes, you’ll receive a text notification on your Toyota smartphone app.
If the vehicle is unlocked and blocked by the rear seat, the system will have a 10-minute grace period, during which the horn will not sound but will first send a text message. If no text message is sent, a phone call will be made. At the heart of this system is a 60GHz radar scanner that constantly monitors the movement of passengers in the second and third rows to ensure the safety of passengers.
Every Sienna, including the base LE, comes standard with Advanced Rear Seat Reminder technology and a 10-year Safety Connect subscription. This innovative feature enhances driver peace of mind and helps keep family and pets safe at all times.
Hybrid Powertrain
The 2025 Sienna is equipped with Toyota’s next-generation hybrid system, significantly improving fuel economy. The front-wheel drive (FWD) model is estimated to achieve 36 MPG, and the all-wheel drive (AWD) model is estimated to achieve 35 MPG, impressive figures for a minivan. Offered only as a hybrid model, it is an eco-friendly and economical option, suitable for a wide range of uses, from everyday commuting to long-distance driving.
This system reflects Toyota’s 20-plus years of hybrid technology evolution and demonstrates the company’s commitment to sustainable mobility. It offers a powerful and comfortable driving experience while being environmentally conscious. The Sienna is also ideal for family transportation and outdoor activities.
Advanced safety equipment provides peace of mind
The Toyota Sienna comes standard with advanced safety features, and all grades feature Toyota Safety Sense (TSS 2.0), which provides comprehensive protection for the driver and passengers in a variety of situations, including a Pre-Collision Safety System (PCS) with pedestrian detection and automatic braking (PD) and a Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Emergency Alert (BSM with RCTA).
The 2025 Sienna also comes standard with up to 10 airbags, including knee airbags for the driver and passenger, side airbags, and curtain side airbags for up to the third row, covering all directions. All models also come equipped with an Electric Parking Brake (EPB) and an Advanced Rear Seat Reminder (ARSR) system to further enhance everyday safety.
A word from the editorial department
The 2025 Toyota Sienna’s Advanced Rear Seat Reminder system is a must-have technology for any family car, helping to prevent the tragic accidents of children being left behind in the car. Its highly accurate radar detection and rapid notification via smartphone integration provide a level of security far superior to conventional systems.
I’m also impressed by Toyota’s proactive adoption of ever-evolving safety technologies. The Sienna is becoming increasingly attractive as a family car, not only offering spaciousness and excellent fuel economy, but also cutting-edge safety.
Although the Sienna will not be introduced in Japan, I would like to see this “Advanced Rear Seat Reminder” introduced in the Noah, Voxy, Alphard, Vellfire, and other models sold in Japan.
Toyota News Release
Toyota Sienna
