Despite the popularity of crossover SUVs, the minivan remains the king of family vehicles. Let's face it: The minivan's boxy shape is the best for maximizing passenger and cargo space within a given footprint, and its dual sliding rear doors make entry and exit super-easy. And to spark more interest in this function-over-form segment, there's the redesigned 2011 Toyota Sienna.
The newest Sienna is virtually the same size as the outgoing version, and as before it can seat seven or eight passengers and has available all-wheel drive -- a Sienna exclusive. But there are a number of significant changes for 2011. Among them are the debut of a four-cylinder engine, a new six-speed automatic transmission, available recliner-style seating for the second row and a new split-screen video monitor for the rear seat entertainment system.
Those on a tighter budget who are also looking for max fuel economy may want to consider the new four-cylinder base and LE trims. On the other side of the spectrum is the new Sienna SE, which comes with a sport-tuned suspension as well as styling tweaks that include lower skirting and a larger lower grille. What hasn't changed much is the Sienna's basic and likable character, which means a smooth, quiet ride, easy handling, comfortable seating and plenty of family-friendly features. And based on its strong record, we assume the Sienna will likely provide many miles of low-maintenance and trouble-free transportation.
Still, the Sienna has its age-old rival, the Honda Odyssey, vying for minivan supremacy. Previously, the Honda had the advantage in driving enjoyment with its superior steering feel and relatively agile handling, making it the choice for driving enthusiasts in need of practical family wheels. Now, however, Toyota offers the Sienna SE to appeal to that same consumer. The Sienna also has a quieter ride and continues to offer the option of all-wheel drive. The latter is an exclusive option for the 2011 Toyota Sienna, and gives it added appeal to those who live in inclement climates.
Another consideration is the value-packed Kia Sedona, which may not offer quite the same refinement in the cabin, but boasts solid performance and plenty of features for quite a bit less than the two stalwarts. Though the Chrysler-derived minivans (Grand Caravan, Town & Country and VW Routan) offer attractive styling and features, their build-quality problems and an antiquated base engine prevent us from recommending them. This sets the minivan market as a three-horse race. The Toyota is certainly the newest and has a lot going for it, but you'll also want to check out the Honda and Kia to determine which minivan best suits your needs.
It also includes premium leather seating surfaces (power-adjustable and heated in front, with driver's memory), woodgrain and leather-wrapped steering wheel (tilt/telescopic with audio controls), and a dual-panel moonroof, bathing the spacious interior in abundant natural light.
A sliding centre console with storage and multiple cupholders can be shared between front and second-row passengers. And also at the XLE level are the aforementioned second-row reclining captains chairs, with pull-out footrests.
These loungers set the stage for my seven-year-old son and I to sit parked in our driveway watching Spiderman 3 on the 16.4-inch widescreen.
This DVD entertainment package, available in Limited trim, came with a couple of wireless headphones and jacks for conventional headphones in the third row, but the sound from the premium 10-speaker JBL audio system was so good, we chose not to use them.
With this system, you can even hook up an external DVD and watch two separate movies in split screen mode. Great for keeping two kids entertained on your next road trip.
When you're not doing home theatre, the second-row seats can also be removed to maximize cargo space. Drop the 60/40 third-row seats flat into the floor, and you now have roughly four feet by eight feet of space and 4.25 cubic metres of capacity.
Still, there's plenty of cargo room even with all the seats in place. With the reclineable third row up, there's a deep well in back and enough space for five golf bags or four large suitcases.
In addition to the features above, the XLE trim level includes backup camera, clearance and back-up sensor, rear window sunshades, USB port with iPod connectivity, Bluetooth, dual power-sliding doors, power rear door and more.
With obvious similarities to the FT-MV concept shown at the 2007 Tokyo auto show — the acronym stood, perhaps more obviously, for "Future Toyota Minivan" — the Sienna looks handsome. We've had a little more than a year to absorb the Camry-based Venza's left-field face. The Sienna's face has the same elements, but there's more canvas to paint them on, so they don't seem quite so overbearing. Short front overhangs, a tasteful rear spoiler — included standard — and wraparound taillights complete the look. As minivans go, it's handsome.
Taller and wider than its predecessor — but not nearly as long — the Sienna measures a couple inches shy of the Honda Odyssey and Chrysler's minivan twins, the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country. The Sienna's 36.9-foot turning circle nearly ties Honda (36.7 feet) and beats Chrysler vans' 39.1-foot circles.
Base, LE and XLE models carry 17-inch alloy wheels. XLE and all-wheel-drive models have 18-inchers; the SE comes with 19s, among a number of other changes.
On most trims, Toyota's 3.5-liter V-6, a staple from last year's Sienna and a number of other models, is back in the saddle. Alas, it works through an oafish six-speed automatic that prefers to reach 5th or 6th gear as soon as possible and, when called upon to downshift, hunts indecisively for the right gear. The outgoing Sienna's five-speed automatic felt far more responsive. However, Toyota's V-6 is a workhorse, and once the transmission fetches the right gear, it delivers confident thrust and a throaty, satisfying exhaust note. (Yes, even minivans can have cool exhaust notes.) All told, the Sienna's V-6 feels beefier than the Odyssey's V-6, and perhaps even a tick gutsier than the Grand Caravan's 4.0-liter V-6.
I did not sample a Sienna with all-wheel drive. It adds 205 pounds, which shouldn't sap too much of the V-6's gusto. Toyota's 2.7-liter four-cylinder, of recent Venza and Highlander vintage, comes standard on front-wheel-drive base and LE models. It's matched to a six-speed auto. At the L.A. Auto Show, where the Sienna was introduced, I puzzled over the wisdom of offering a four-cylinder on a large minivan. Color me convinced. Pushed hard, the four-cylinder emits a coarse roar compared with the V-6's refined growl, but it's capable enough, moving the Sienna smartly around town.
The drivetrain doesn't run out of steam until the highway, where 60-70 mph passing feels a bit lethargic, and the transmission gets stage fright trying to pick the right gear. Of course, I drove the four-cylinder with only one other person in the car — the Sienna's chief engineer, Kazuo Mori — and it's possible that a full load of passengers could prove to be too much. If you're shopping the four-cylinder, rope a few family members to come along and see how it does.
Antilock disc brakes, stability control, traction control, a windshield de-icer and a full complement of airbags (including driver knee, front-seat side and full-length side curtain) are standard on all 2011 Toyota Sienna models. The LE adds a rearview camera (with the monitor integrated into the rearview mirror).
The Limited also comes with front and rear park assist; it's optional on the XLE. If you opt for the navigation system, you'll also get a wider-range (180-degree) rearview camera that uses the large screen of the nav system as the monitor. At the test track, a Sienna Limited stopped from 60 mph in 127 feet -- about average for the minivan segment -- with a solid, confident brake pedal feel.
In the government's new, more strenuous crash testing for 2011, the Sienna earned an overall rating of four stars out of a possible five, with three stars for overall frontal crash protection and five stars for overall side crash protection. In tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Sienna earned a top score of "Good" for its performance in frontal-offset, side-impact and roof-strength impacts.
reference:www.carguidecanada.ca,www.cars.com,www.edmunds.com
