Seat removal
I don’t really accept the scare tactics from some Toyota dealers on warranty. Have probably read and watched the same videos you have; it looks like people put the seats back in before bringing the van into a dealer for service. Which is a pain in the behind but avoids the argument.
The second row seats not being easily removed or folded flat was the design element (no pun intended) that annoys the heck out of me on the Sienna. Pacifica hybrid is better for flat floor and we looked at it closely. But no AWD for the hybrid. Nice van though and wife drove it and liked it. Odyssey doesn’t have the hybrid and seems ready for a big update soon?
So Sienna wins the drivetrain and MPG and wife approval factor categories. Will figure out best way to live with the second row seats and non-flat floor.
Rav4 Prime
I haven’t shopped for one yet and admit am putting it off as long as I can!!! It ticks a lot of boxes (hybrid, some EV range, AWD) and think it would make a good bike transport though. We’re hoping the Element goes several more years and we get back to some sort of auto market normalcy before another car is actually needed.
Cars sure have gotten more difficult last few years eh?