Toyota Sienna Must-Have Accessories (and the Ones to Skip)
After a year of hauling kids in our Toyota Sienna, the single most important accessory we bought was a wireless Android Auto/CarPlay dongle (like the Motorola or Carlinkit) to fix the van’s lack of wireless connectivity. Below are the rest of the accessories actually worth buying after a year with kids—and the ones you can skip.
Wireless Android Auto / CarPlay (the #1 fix)
If you’ve seen my full Sienna review, you know my biggest gripe: it doesn’t support wireless Android Auto or CarPlay. The only way to add it is a third-party dongle, and I’ve now lived with the two most popular options.
- Motorola dongle (Android Auto): What sold me is multi-driver support — my wife and I both drive the car, and a button right on the unit lets us switch between our phones instantly. The one downside: it connects a little slower than the alternative below.
- Carlinkit: This one does both CarPlay and Android Auto, and it connected to my phone noticeably faster. The catch is multiple devices — there’s no easy switching; the only way I found was turning off Bluetooth on one phone when both were in range.
Honestly, I didn’t think wireless was necessary at first — I figured I’d just plug in. But life is so much easier without the cable that I’d now call this the single most worthwhile upgrade. For two drivers, the Motorola is our pick. If you want CarPlay and the fastest connection, the Carlinkit works better.
Center Console Organizer
A simple one that punches above its weight. It drops into the console and gives you two layers of organization — coin slots up top, open storage underneath — and it lifts right out when you need to get under it. Everything finally has a spot.
Weather Mats
Kids are messy. Between dropped cookies and shoes full of sand, my floors take a beating. A good set of weather mats makes cleanup vastly easier — and if you’re somewhere that rains or snows a lot, they’re close to non-negotiable.
Windshield Sun Shade
If you park in serious heat — and here in the Houston area, we do — a perfect-fit windshield sun shade keeps the cabin from turning into an oven. Worth grabbing one sized specifically for the Sienna so it actually covers the glass.
Handheld Vacuum
Cleaning the car is so much easier with a small handheld vacuum living in it. The one I use (by Yui) is the perfect size for a car like this, has surprisingly strong suction, and comes with a crevice attachment for the nooks — then tucks neatly into the glove compartment. My only complaint: it charges over micro-USB instead of USB-C.
Mini Trash Can
I went back and forth on a full-size bin, but the Sienna has so many cup holders that I just grabbed a couple of little ones that fit right in them. Push the top and it opens; mine came with trash bags and a set of two. I keep one back by my son’s seat for easy access and one up front by the driver’s side, tucked out of sight but within reach.
First Aid On-the-Go Kit
Family or not, this one’s worth it. The on-the-go first aid kit I keep in the car has two sizes of Band-Aids plus little packets of Neosporin — and I’ve already dipped into it more than once for my son. Cheap peace of mind.
Backseat Organizers
These hang off the back of the front seats and corral all the stuff kids insist on bringing. I like that mine have mesh pockets so you can actually see what’s inside. Bonus: if your kids sit close, it gives them something to kick instead of the back of your seat.
Backseat Mirror
Being able to keep an eye on the kids matters—especially when they are rear-facing in their infant or convertible car seat. A mirror that clips onto your rearview lets you see both kids in back at a glance. The Sienna does include something similar built in, but it’s so small it’s nearly useless — the add-on mirror is what I actually rely on.
Cargo Tray / Liner — Useful, but Mine’s a Mixed Bag
A cargo tray protects your trunk and is especially handy if you’re loading strollers or stroller wagons (like the Jeep Wrangler or Wonderfold L4) — it pops out for easy cleaning, just like the floor mats.
Here’s my honest caveat: I bought the official Toyota cargo tray because everything online pointed to it as the one to get. But it doesn’t include anything to secure the section that covers the folded-down seats — I had to add my own Velcro, and in hot, humid Houston that Velcro doesn’t want to stay stuck. So that whole flap tends to droop. I’m not convinced it’s worth the price; there are probably better third-party versions for the same money or less. I’d call the Toyota one lukewarm.
The “Nice-to-Have” Pile
Speaking of lukewarm — here’s something I bought that I’m not sure you need in full: a complete set of car liners. It covers basically every surface in the car, and I like the idea… but not every spot actually gets dirty. The places that matter are the cup holders (drinks leak), and for those I actually prefer a deeper cup-holder liner that catches liquid and pulls out for washing — it beats the flat ones the full set came with. Everywhere else, the vacuum handles it fine.
Considered, Then Passed
Three more I looked at:
- Armrest cushion: People add these to the open space above the console because their arm reaches too far. I’ve got plenty of room without it — and I’d rather keep that flat spot free to set down food (way easier to wipe than the seat).
- Center console top add-on: Extra storage up top sounds nice, but I don’t love how it looks — it takes away from the car’s design. Pass.
- Lower console organizer tray: This is the one I might still buy. I could use the organizing down there (right now it’s a water bottle, a Kleenex box, and wet wipes), I’m just not sure it’s worth $30 yet.
Anything I Missed?
That’s my list after a year with the Sienna. Am I missing an accessory you’d call a must-have for your family? Let me know — and if you want the full breakdown of the van itself, check out my complete Sienna review.
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