Sienna has all the charms of a modern minivan

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews also can be seen in the Northern & Central California Cruisin’ News magazine published monthly out of Folsom, California.

Sacramento, California -- I can remember a time when the prospect of getting a minivan filled my heart with happy anticipation.

That was especially true on family road trip vacations.  I could look forward to sitting up high in the cockpit, with a clear view of the highway ahead.  There would be plenty of room for all the luggage and lots of comfort and convenience features within easy reach.

In short, the minivan back in the day was a treasure -- a large, comfortable traveling machine.

Today, things have changed. Minivans have fallen into the niche of public derision, right there with eight-track tapes and VHS players. Saying you're looking forward to a minivan now is like saying you spend your weekends listening to disco ... on your eight-track tapes.

Alas, there are still some reasons to feel good about the minivan.  Case in point: the 2020 Toyota Sienna SE Premium.  My eight-passenger tester included all the good ol' things that appealed to me years ago, with many a modern bonus thrown in.

First off, it looked good wearing "Silver Metallica" paint and riding on 19-inch, fast-black wheels. The automaker's "Nightshade Edition" package also included a black sport mesh grille. If a minivan can look like a hot rod, this Sienna comes pretty close.

The ride was smooth and quiet, with the 3.5-liter V-6 -- rated at nearly 300 horsepower -- easily handling all conditions.  Steering was secure and comfortable, with just the right amount of firmness.  Despite its minivan architecture, handling was pleasingly agile.

Fuel mileage was decidedly minivan-like, getting just 19 miles per gallon in the city and a fair 26 mpg on the highway.

Oh, to have had all the in-vehicle entertainment goodies of the current Sienna back when my family was young!  My ride had multiple audio options and media/charge ports scattered throughout.  Beyond that, there are numerous safety/driving-enhancement features on the 2020 Sienna.

The number of modern-day perks is reflected in the owner's manual, which was a massive 584-page tome.

Also note: all the perks add up.  The bottom line on my tester was $46,388.  For that kind of money, I'd suggest buying a Sienna for the long-term.  And who knows?  Maybe minivans will recapture some of that past stylish mojo in a few years.