Sienna

Built with the whole family in mind…

Today’s Sienna is one of the very best minivans on the market and should definitely be on your short list of candidates. In addition to receiving above-average crash test scores, the current-generation Toyota Sienna is one of the few minivans to offer a choice of seven- or eight-passenger seating capacity.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The base Sienna CE includes 16-inch steel wheels, dual sliding rear doors with power-down windows, front and rear air-conditioning, a six-speaker CD/MP3 stereo with an auxiliary audio jack, a telescoping steering wheel and full power accessories. The LE adds privacy and solar energy-absorbing glass, a roof rack, heated side mirrors, a CD changer, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, a folding front passenger seat, cruise control and upgraded instrumentation.

The Sienna XLE features alloy wheels, power-sliding rear doors, a power liftgate, automatic headlamps, tri-zone automatic climate control, power front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, wood grain interior trim, a trip computer and a removable center console.

The plush Limited adds 17-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, adaptive cruise control, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a leather-and-wood steering wheel, an upgraded 10-speaker JBL sound system, satellite radio, Bluetooth, rear window shades and a windshield-wiper de-icer. All-wheel-drive Siennas receive 17-inch wheels, run-flat tires and the wiper de-icer.

Powertrains and Performance

All Siennas come with a 266-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 engine that’s matched to a five-speed automatic transmission. This refined combination provides brisk acceleration (we timed an AWD version of the XLE from zero to 60 mph in just 8.0 seconds) as well as respectable fuel economy.

EPA estimates for 2009 come in at 17 mpg city/23 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined for front-wheel-drive models; the AWD versions are rated at 16 city/21 highway and 18 combined.

Safety

Antilock disc brakes, stability control, traction control and a full complement of airbags (including front-seat side and full-length side curtain) are standard on all Siennas. The Limited also comes with front and rear park assist; it’s optional on the XLE.

Interior Design and Special Features

The Sienna’s cabin is fitted with high-quality fabric on lower trim levels and leather and faux wood on the higher-end models. The various controls are simple to use, storage space is plentiful and the seats are plush.

Seven-passenger Siennas allow the second-row captain’s chairs to be pushed together to create a bench seat. In Limited trim, the Sienna’s interior looks and feels as if it came straight out of a luxury car.