The Toyota Sienna remains one of the smartest transportation choices an active family can make. Minivans offer more interior room relative to exterior length than any other type of vehicle, and the Sienna is arguably the best of the breed.
Inside, the Sienna is big and roomy, but it doesn't drive bulky, and it's not hard to park. It's smooth, responsive and quiet, and it's more fuel-efficient than an SUV with comparable space for people and things. In just minutes, the Sienna switches from eight-passenger bus to cavernous cargo hauler, with room for full sheets of plywood, 10-foot ladders, or significantly more of anything else than you can put in most full-size sport utilities. With a standard 3500-pound towing capacity, the Sienna will pull a camper or small watercraft. All-wheel drive is available and it's the best choice for wintry weather, though we've found the front-drive models work just fine for suburbia in the Snow Belt.
The Toyota Sienna is available in a wide range of trim levels, making it accessible to a wide range of buyers. The base CE starts below $25,000 and is still well equipped, with a full complement of power accessories, air conditioning with separate controls front and rear, and a six-speaker CD stereo with a jack for MP3 players. The line-topping Limited approaches $40,000, but comes with leather memory seats, high-intensity headlights, and active cruise control; and offers touch-screen navigation and rear-seat DVD entertainment. All models come with a class-leading V6 and a five-speed automatic transmission.
The Sienna offers flexible seating as well, with a choice of second-row captain's chairs that can be repositioned side-to-side for a more bench-like arrangement; or a three-way split-folding bench featuring a center section that can be moved nearly 13 inches closer to the front seats, for easy access to an infant or toddler. All Siennas are equipped with a standard 60/40 split third row seat that folds flat into the floor.
The Sienna also offers all the important safety equipment, and then some. Front passenger side-impact airbags, full-cabin head protection airbags, and a sophisticated anti-lock brake system are standard. Electronic stability control (called Vehicle Stability Control) is now also standard on all models. An optional rear-view camera helps the driver spot objects or children behind the vehicle when backing up, augmenting an audible park-assist system.
Other Sienna strengths are more subtle and less tangible. Among them: hooks in just the right places and seats that fold with one hand. Almost everything works as you'd expect, without struggle or confusion. In so many ways, Sienna reduces the stress of family transport. We've found its power doors are easier to operate and are more convenient than those on the Honda Odyssey.
For 2008, Toyota has made Vehicle Stability Control, traction control, and four-wheel-disc brakes standard on all models. For 2007, Toyota boosted Sienna's performance with a larger and more powerful V6 engine. We love its impressive acceleration, and the way the new engine adds driving excitement. That's right, driving a minivan can be enjoyable.