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2011 Toyota Sienna Overview

The engineers at Toyota are not pleased that the Honda Odyssey is widely considered as the best minivan in America. So they've done something about it. The new 2011 Sienna minivan offers better driving dynamics, improved exterior design, a more accommodating interior and features that take it up several notches in the hotly competitive minivan category. Sienna has certainly moved up on our list of desirable minivans with the redesign.

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The 2011 Toyota Sienna folds together many passenger-friendly features including an entertainment system, reclining, and leg-rest-equipped second row seats that lets the kids watch two different programs. For those of you in extreme climes, the Sienna is the only minivan to offer the AWD option.

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The Sienna can get pricey when compared to some competitors like the Kia Sedona, but in terms of resale value the Sienna excels. We expect its overall ownership cost to be reasonable.

What's Significant about this Car?

Toyota redesigned its Sienna minivan for 2011. Among the notable changes are the thoroughly improved new interior that includes available lounge-type seating in the second row and a sport-tuned SE model with improved handling and steering.

Driving Impressions

Both of the Toyota Sienna's engines deliver where it counts, whether you desire the fuel-sipping economy of the 2.7-liter 4-cylinder or the extra punch provided by the 3.5-liter V6. The 4-cylinder-equipped Sienna is surprisingly acceptable, but for serious cargo- and family-hauling, the V6 is the engine to get. Power for both engines is managed by a smooth-shifting ECT 5-speed automatic transmission. The base Sienna offers a soft, quiet ride that will cocoon passengers and driver, with the suspension floating effortlessly over potholes. We recommend the sporty SE trim for those who want more involving driving experience. SE trim offers a tighter steering feel and sport-tuned suspension.

Favorite Features

Dual View Entertainment Center
The Sienna's Dual View Entertainment Center features an extra-wide screen that allows to play two different movies at once, and two wireless bluetooth headphones. One movie can be played CinemaScope-style if the kids agree. You'll almost feel like you're watching your flatscreen at home.

Second Row Lounge Seating
The Toyota Sienna XLE's Lounge Seating offers a Long-Slide feature maximizing legroom, while footrests rise up, virtually transforming the second row seats into Barcaloungers.

Exterior

Channeling some of the looks of its Venza stablemate, the 2011 Sienna presents a sportier shape that the previous edition with nice details like the rear door slider that is hidden within the window graphic. The strong shoulder and well-chiseled fender flares add to the more performance-oriented look. While the new Sienna rides on the same wheelbase as the prior generation, it is wider for interior roominess and slightly shorter overall. The rear of the Sienna sits high and features sculpted sheet metal, LED tail lamps and a rear-lip spoiler - adding a sporty feel to the design.

Interior

Whatever the trim, from lightly equipped base model to decked-out Limited, the Sienna can be easily configured to meet many families' budgets thanks to a number of options and packages. The Sienna can seat up to eight, depending on a choice of captain's chairs or bench seating in the second row, with reasonable leg- and headroom for passengers in all seating positions. The only exception to this is when the lounge seating is deployed to its rearward extreme, which results in nearly non-existent legroom for the third-row riders. The Sienna's third-row seat folds flush into the floor, but we found the manual stowing of the seats difficult to master. Happily, a power-stow option is available. Cargo space in the Sienna is ample and versatile. Additional space can be made by folding down one or both of the 60/40-split rear seats and by completely removing the second row.

Notable Standard Equipment

The base Sienna comes with an MP3-capable CD player with auxiliary input jack, remote keyless entry, dual-sliding doors with power windows, and tri-zone manual air conditioning. Opting for the LE trim adds steering wheel-mounted audio controls, power sliding doors and a Homelink universal transceiver. The SE trim adds its own sport-tuned suspension and steering, leather-trimmed steering wheel and an eight-way power leatherette driver's seat. Moving up to the XLE nets you a six-speaker stereo with a USB port and iPod connectivity, automatic tri-zone climate control, leather and woodgrain interior trim, and heated seats. The upscale Limited adds a JBL sound system, lounge second-row seating, and a power-folding 60/40 third row. All trims offer Toyota's STAR Safety System, airbags for all three rows, plus the XLE features front and rear sonar, which is not for submarine chasing but a parking assist.

Notable Optional Equipment

Options on the Sienna vary by trim and include AWD, dual-power sliding doors, power seats, roof rails, wireless Bluetooth connectivity, tri-zone automatic climate control and a power rear hatch. A Dual-View Entertainment Center with wireless headphones is available on Limited and XLE models. The Limited can also be equipped with a Navigation Package, rain-sensing wipers, and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control.

Under the Hood

Two engines are offered in the 2011 Sienna: A new fuel-efficient 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that offers decent off-the-line acceleration and a hearty 3.5-liter V6 with plenty of torque, quiet operation and fuel economy that is remarkably similar to the four cylinder. If you want AWD the V6 is your lone choice.

2.7-liter in-line 4
187 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm
186 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,100 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/24

3.5-liter V6
265 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm
245 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/24 (FWD), 16/22 (AWD)

Pricing Notes

The base Toyota Sienna's Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price starts around $26,000, while adding AWD ups the price by about $2,000, and the LE starts closer to $30,000. The feature-laden XLE starts around $33,000 while the luxury-oriented AWD Limited tops out around $46,000 with all the options. The Sienna is expected to have a high resale value, far better than that of rivals Kia Sedona and Dodge Grand Caravan, a few points higher than the Nissan Quest, but not quite as good as the Honda Odyssey.

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