Buyers looking for a safe choice in the minivan segment will undoubtedly find themselves considering theToyota Sienna. Since its introduction in 1998, the Sienna has posted some of the best crash test scores of any minivan on the market. That fact alone makes it a good choice, new or used, for buyers who prize safety above all other attributes when shopping for a family vehicle.
Besides that, the Sienna has an excellent reputation for overall quality and long-term dependability, which make it a hassle-free vehicle to drive day in and day out, while contributing to peace of mind on long road trips. Add a refined and fuel-efficient V6 engine, a smooth ride and surprisingly upscale interioraccommodations to the mix, and it’s easy to see why the Toyota Sienna minivan is a strong seller.
Current Toyota Sienna
The fully redesigned Toyota Sienna minivan comes in five trim levels — base, LE, SE, XLE and Limited. The LE and XLE come in seven- and eight-passenger configurations, while the base and Limited are seven-passenger only and the SE is eight-passenger only. All trims come with front-wheel drive while the LE, XLE and Limited can also be had with all-wheel drive. The base and LE models come with a 2.7-liter inline-4 that makes 187 horsepower; available on those two trims and standard on all others is a 265-hp 3.5-liter V6. Both engines are partnered with a six-speed automatic transmission.
The base Sienna includes alloy wheels, dual sliding rear doors, tri-zone air-conditioning and full power accessories. The LE adds niceties like a back-up camera, while the LE V6 tacks on power-sliding side doors and an upgraded audio system. The SE includes bigger wheels, sporty styling cues and unique upholstery and instrumentation. The XLE goes to town with a power liftgate, a sunroof, tri-zone automatic climate control and leather upholstery, and the XLE AWD includes second-row lounge seats with pop-up footrests. The Limited features dual sunroofs, the second-row lounge seats, a power-folding third-row seat and JBL audio. Adaptive cruise control, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system and a navigation system highlight the options list.
In reviews, we’ve been impressed with the current Sienna’s versatile interior, even if the dashboardmaterials and design are a notch below the previous Sienna’s upscale standard. Seven-passenger Siennasallow the second-row captain’s chairs to be pushed together to create a bench seat. The eight-passenger version uses a second-row bench, while models fitted with the lounge seats offer La-Z-Boy comfort to those in the second row, provided their legs aren’t particularly long. On the road, the V6′s smooth and powerful acceleration impresses, and while the four makes just adequate power, it compensates with better fuel economy. The cabin is quiet at speed, and the ride is comfy. Overall, the Sienna belongs on any minivan shopper’s short list.
The current, third-generation Toyota Sienna debuted for the 2011 model year.
The second-generation Sienna was produced from 2004-’10. We would recommend looking at 2005-and-newer models (built after February 2005), as Toyota strengthened the van’s side structure and revised the side airbags to improve performance in side-impact crashes. Side airbag protection was made standard on all Siennas for the 2006 model year; previously, these bags were standard only on the XLE Limited and optional on other trims.
From 2004-’06, the Sienna had a 3.3-liter V6 good for a stated 230 hp. Due to revisions in SAE testing procedures, the Sienna’s stated hp rating dropped from 230 to 215 in 2006; acceleration and performance were unaffected, however. From 2007-’10, the Sienna featured Toyota’s excellent 3.5-liter V6 rated at 266 hp.
Trim levels for the second-generation Sienna consisted of the affordable CE, the midrange LE, the upscale XLE and the Lexus-like XLE Limited. Most used-minivan shoppers will be happy with the CE or LE, and these are the trims to look at if you want the eight-passenger option, which places a three-person 40/20/40 bench seat in the second row in lieu of twin captain’s chairs. The center section of the bench seat slides forward to give parents easier access to a baby in a car seat.
In reviews, we lauded this Sienna as one of the very best minivans on the market. In addition to receiving above-average crash test scores, the Sienna was one of the few minivans to offer a choice of seven- or eight-passenger seating capacity. It also offered the unusual option of all-wheel drive, and available upscale amenities included adaptive cruise control and power-folding third-row seats. On the road, we found the second-generation Sienna swift and refined, especially with the 3.5-liter V6. For consumers in search of a pre-owned minivan with both class and convenience, this Toyota should deliver.
Sold from 1998-2003, the first-generation Toyota Sienna was considerably smaller than the newer models. It still seated up to seven passengers, but with a 5-inch-shorter wheelbase and a 3-inch-narrower body, its interior was cramped for larger families. Unlike its chief competitor, Honda’s Odyssey, the Sienna didn’t offer fold-flat seating in the third row, though its removable seats were at least lightweight and easy to maneuver.
Advantages to the first-generation Sienna include excellent crash test scores, a quiet ride, smooth performance from the 210-hp 3.0-liter V6 and above-average reliability. Disadvantages include iffy interior ergonomics and overly soft handling.
If you’re shopping for a first-generation Toyota Sienna minivan, note that the right-side power-sliding door didn’t arrive until the 1999 model year, while front-seat side airbags and stability control joined the options list for 2001. Toyota also started offering a dealer-installed rear-seat entertainment system in 2001, but given that it was VHS format, most buyers are better off installing their own aftermarket DVD-based system. When considering a used first-generation Sienna, you should take a careful look at its maintenance records, as a small percentage of Siennas from this era were susceptible to engine problems when not treated to regular oil changes.
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