The Sienna's unobtrusive five-speed automatic transmission discreetly swaps cogs, but is not in a hurry to gear down when a
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| The Sienna's unobtrusive five-speed automatic transmission discreetly swaps cogs. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
little more oomph is called for. A fair push on the throttle is needed to urge the autobox to drop a gear and get on with things. However, thanks to the service of AWD, wheelspin in my tester was negligible and torque-steer non-existent. Despite its tenacious grip, if it is compromised by ice or snow, the Sienna's traction control system will step in to curtail wheelspin by modulating engine output and re-routing power to the wheel(s) with greater adhesion. With all four wheels rolling at highway speeds, life in the Sienna is very serene; road and wind noise are both on the low side, especially for what is essentially a big, hollow box. A smooth ride complements the serenity Toyota has built into the Sienna. Its independent front suspension utilizes MacPherson gas struts and a stabilizer bar to accomplish a pleasing balance between ride comfort and road-holding tenacity, erring more on the side of comfort according to my assessment. The supporting cast at the rear of the Sienna consists of a torsion beam arrangement, stabilized by gas shocks. The suspension setup makes for a nimbleness that belies the Sienna's size; however, when pushed hard in a corner, body roll becomes evident and tires begin vocalizing. All things considered though, the Sienna remains well composed and predictable
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| The massive windows in the sliding doors can be opened in the conventional manner, dropping about two thirds of the way into the door itself. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
throughout. Personally, I wouldn't sacrifice an ounce of the ride quality for sharper handling.Should wind in the hair be the desire of those onboard, the massive windows in the sliding doors can be opened in the conventional manner, dropping about two thirds of the way into the door itself. Plus, the electrically operated rear quarter-windows pivot open several inches to further enhance the wind-blown look. The two removable second-row captain's chairs are tremendously comfortable and nicely adjustable for extended journeys. Unfortunately they do not fold and drop into the floor à la the Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Caravan and Nissan Quest minivans. Upping the seven-seater to eight-passenger status is the availability of a three-person, second row bench seat in place of the captain's chairs.
