Sienna: ‘Looks' Doesn't Mean Everything

Anthony Fontanelle
May 22, 2008

The first generation Toyota Sienna mini van was the replacement for the old Toyota Previa. It is a large, comfortable van ideal for big families or extended road trips. It was introduced in the United States in 1993. Although not very attractive to look at during its first production, the Sienna did excel on crash test ratings.

The Toyota Sienna moves into 2008 with a number of changes across all trim levels. The 2008 Sienna is a 4-door, up to 8-passenger mini van, available in 9 trims, ranging from the CE FWD with 7 Passenger seating to the XLE Limited AWD.

“The CE FWD with 7 Passenger Seating is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter, V6, 266-horsepower engine that achieves 17-mpg in the city and 23-mpg on the highway. The XLE Limited AWD is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter, V6, 266-horsepower engine that achieves 16-mpg in the city and 21-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims.” Definitely the 2008 Sienna's standard V6 is more powerful than that of last year's model. Many reviewers say that Sienna is somehow heavy to handle because of its substantial size. But overall it’s rated to have a very comfortable ride.

One may love it, others may not but one thing is certain that the Toyota Sienna imposes a strong presence. Critics agree that the Sienna looks good for a minivan, but it isn’t a definite head turner.

It features a sneering grille work and those big headlights. The windshield is huge, along with long wipers and wiper-mounted washer nozzles that can stand the worst conditions of snow in winter. In side view, the Sienna's profile is clean. The slot for the sliding doors is intelligently hidden. It has a standard 17-inch wheel with a splash of chrome finish and lower profile tires.

If there's one word to describe the 2007 Toyota Sienna interior, it's versatile. The Sienna can seat either seven or eight passengers. Getting in and out is easy, front or rear. The manual sliding doors and manual rear hatch on LE and CE models work easily, with minimal effort. It can be ordered with a closed-circuit rear-view video camera, front/rear parking proximity warnings.

One of the main considerations for any family car should be safety. Safety features for the Sienna include front-seat mounted side airbags and curtain that extend for all three rows. It also has Anti-lock braking system (ABS), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC).

According to usnews.rankingsandreviews.com, the 2008 Toyota Sienna ranks 2 out of 8 Minivans. It ranks high because of its great power, comfort, and special safety features.

Source:  Amazines.com