2011 Toyota Sienna SE (Short Take)
A Sporty Minivan?
Can a minivan be sporty? Toyota thinks so. The Japanese automaker is offering a sport model of its redesigned 2011 Sienna called the SE. The SE is one of five versions of an expanded Sienna lineup.
The new Siennas, even the base model LE, have a sportier look this year. (Toyota’s Calty Design studio in Southern California did the makeover.) The 2011 models feature a more sculptured look, especially around the nose and the rear facia.
However, the SE model takes the new styling a step further with a black mesh grille, a wider air intake and clear-lens taillights. It also features, ground-hugging lower body panels, and on the inside, sporty white-faced gauges.
But the SE’s enhancements are not just cosmetic. This Sienna gets low-profile tires on distinctive 19-inch wheels, firmer springs and shocks, as well as recalibrated electric power steering. This last feature improves steering-feel and responsiveness.
Toyota is offering a four-cylinder engine in the Sienna for the first time. It’s a 2.7-liter, 187-horsepower mill that delivers decent power. However, the SE that I drove at the press introduction had the 3.5-liter V-6 that generated 265 hp. This engine had plenty of grunt, and nicely complemented the sportier feel of the SE.
Although my drive time in the SE was limited, I liked its driving dynamics. The SE handled more precisely than other Sienna models, and had the feel of a somewhat smaller vehicle—not a bad thing.
