2011 Toyota Sienna
Redesigned Sienna Impresses
It’s not easy to design a stylish minivan. Nissan tried it a few years ago with the Quest, and it turned out to be a flop. Now, Toyota has taken a crack at putting some style in its 2011 Sienna, and I got mixed reactions to my test car. Some liked the more aggressive nose with its slanting headlights, while others thought that it looked out of place on a minivan.
The 2011 Sienna looks larger than its predecessor, but is just about the same size. It is offered this year in five versions, base, CE, SE, XLE, and Limited. The SE is the new sport model, and you can read more about it in my “Short Take” review. The Sienna comes with seven or eight passenger seating, and front-wheel- or all-wheel drive. My test car this time was an XLE with AWD.
When I first climbed into the Sienna, I was pleasantly surprised at the upscale look of the interior. Standard leather-clad seats finished in pale gray coordinated nicely with the dash, which had a parchment-like finish. Low-luster walnut woodgrain, which trimmed the dash, console and doors added a classy touch. The only problem I noted was that the dash is mounted high, which makes it difficult to gauge where the front bumper is while driving
Like its predecessor, the 2011 Sienna is spacious. The second row seats have nearly two feet of travel and will easily accommodate tall passengers. In the Limited model and the XLE with AWD, these seats have pop-up footrests, so you can really get comfortable. The third row seats can handle three kids or two averages-size adults, and these seats can be easily folded into the floor. The maximum storage area in the Sienna is a generous 87.1 cu.-ft. Power operated sliding doors and liftgate are standard on the XLE and Limited.
In a move that should promote family harmony on long trips, Toyota is offering an optional DVD entertainment system that has a split-screen feature that can display programming from two separate sources simultaneously. Kids should love it. Also optional is a navigation package that includes a panoramic backup camera, JBL audio and Smart Key push-button entry and start.
For the first time, Toyota is offering a four-cylinder engine in the Sienna. It’s a 2.7-liter mill with 187 horsepower. I briefly drove a Sienna with this engine, and thought it would be adequate carrying a light load. However, most buyers will opt for the 3.5-liter, 265 hp, V-6. My test car had this power plant and it accelerated well, and pulled strongly climbing hills. A new six-speed automatic is teamed with both. Gas mileage is estimated at 19-26 mpg for the inline-4, and 16-22 in the V-6 with AWD.
The Sienna delivers a comfortable, well-controlled ride, both on neighborhood streets and on the highway. It absorbs bumps well and feels steady over rough pavement. The Sienna also displays competent handling. Although its steering is somewhat uncommunicative, it tracks well around corners, and does not lean excessively.
Safety is important to Sienna buyers, and Toyota covers this base with a broad array of safety features. Anti-lock brakes, vehicle stability control, traction control, and a full complement of airbags are all standard on the Sienna. Those who opt for the Limited model can also order the Advanced Technology package that includes the Pre-Collision system, and Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management that enables all the safety systems to operate together seamlessly.
Pricing for the 2010 Sienna starts at $25,060 for base model and ranges up to $40,570 for the Limited. My XLE test car, with all-wheel drive and the navigation package, had a bottom line of $38,610.
Snapshot Review:
New Styling
Spacious Cabin
Good Power (V-6)
Comfortable Ride
