2011 Toyota Sienna, an AW Flash Drive

2011 Toyota Sienna, an AW Flash Drive



What is it?

The third generation of Toyota's modern minivan, it comes in five trim levels, in front- or all-wheel drive and with your choice of four- or six-cylinder power. The 3.5-liter 266-hp V6 likely will get all the media attention, but the option of a 187-hp 2.7-liter four will give Toyota an edge in the 400,000-unit minivan market in the United States. Toyota is the only manufacturer offering an AWD option, too, which only makes up 10 percent of total sales but is highly popular in the sometimes-frozen Northeast. Both engines are mated to a new six-speed automatic. The 2011 Sienna will be available in February. The base MSRP for the new Sienna will range from $25,060 for the Sienna grade with a four-cylinder engine to $40,570 for the Sienna Limited all-wheel-drive (AWD) V6. Prices include $800 delivery charge.

What's it like to drive?

Toyota execs really tried to paint the new Sienna as "sexy" and "fun to drive," and the addition of a special SE trim level with stiffer springs, shocks and special electric power-steering tuning should be commended, but ultimately it drives like a competent minivan. We found that the 2.7-liter four made plenty of power for all the driving we did during a day behind the wheel of many Siennas, though the four banger's estimated 22 mpg EPA combined fuel economy was only 2 mpg more than the V6, which was a little disappointing.

Do I want it?

Heck yeah, I want it. This is the best minivan out there. It has everything you could ask of such a beast and more, from dual gloveboxes and ultra-lounge center seats with 23 inches of travel to storage throughout and a 16.4-inch-wide rear-seat entertainment screen--if it's not available on the new Sienna, it hasn't been invented yet. Though the segment has been in steady decline over the last several years, the undeniable utility of minivans is self-evident. Tell your spouse to get over his/her fear of being "old" and buy the van that will make the whole family happy. No one believes that you bought that SUV because you ski. No one cares. What you want and need is one of these. Now go forth and multiply; there's room for eight in here.

Wow. looks much much better without that ugly chrome front grill