My young son's only group activity is baseball and, as it turns out, the ballpark is just a few blocks away from our house. It's a shame that I've grown to like being the dad of a little champ -- not necessarily because I'm a sports fan, but rather because I would have loved to carry a young team to all the games in a new Toyota Sienna.
When it comes to minivans, it's pretty hard to argue against the Sienna. Sure, it does not come without flaws but, overall, it offers what consumers look for the most in this type of vehicle: room for passengers and cargo, lots of features and decent fun behind the wheel. That's right: minivan drivers also want to have fun.
The Sienna, which was fully redesigned and retooled last year, now boasts driving dynamics that make it more interesting than ever. That's a huge plus when you consider the profile of minivan fans.
The soccer mom
The typical buyer is obviously the soccer mom, the one who gets out of bed at 7 a.m. to take a bunch of kids to the field or the arena. For her, interior room and functionality prevail -- exactly like in the Sienna.
This Toyota is one of the largest minivans out there, accommodating seven or eight passengers. (Granted, the eighth will suffer a bit during the ride.) To satisfy everyone, the manufacturer focused on standard features, even in the base CE model. The Sienna comes with power flip-out side windows, even those of the sliding doors, which is pretty rare in the category. All models also offer cruise control. Interestingly, you can select Laser Cruise Control (LCC) from the list of options. This system uses a laser radar beam to measure the distance from the car ahead, automatically adjusting vehicle speed to help maintain a safe distance. Best of all, the driver doesn't have to do a thing, even if he or she had pressed the button beforehand.
Unfortunately, you'll have to spend a few extra grand to get power sliding doors with a child protection mechanism that prevents the doors from closing on a kid's arm or leg. The good news is that, once you've found your way inside, the Sienna offers a pleasant and extremely functional layout. You can easily retrieve a couple of seats, hide the third-row bench under the floor to increase cargo room or put all the seats back in place to accommodate the entire soccer team. When all is said and done, everyone enjoys their own vital space thanks to adequate legroom and headroom.
 |
| Up to 8 passengers can sit inside the Sienna, depending on the model you select. |
When it comes to minivans, it's pretty hard to argue against the Sienna. Sure, it does not come without flaws but, overall, it offers what consumers look for the most in this type of vehicle: room for passengers and cargo, lots of features and decent fun behind the wheel. That's right: minivan drivers also want to have fun.
The Sienna, which was fully redesigned and retooled last year, now boasts driving dynamics that make it more interesting than ever. That's a huge plus when you consider the profile of minivan fans.
The soccer mom
The typical buyer is obviously the soccer mom, the one who gets out of bed at 7 a.m. to take a bunch of kids to the field or the arena. For her, interior room and functionality prevail -- exactly like in the Sienna.
This Toyota is one of the largest minivans out there, accommodating seven or eight passengers. (Granted, the eighth will suffer a bit during the ride.) To satisfy everyone, the manufacturer focused on standard features, even in the base CE model. The Sienna comes with power flip-out side windows, even those of the sliding doors, which is pretty rare in the category. All models also offer cruise control. Interestingly, you can select Laser Cruise Control (LCC) from the list of options. This system uses a laser radar beam to measure the distance from the car ahead, automatically adjusting vehicle speed to help maintain a safe distance. Best of all, the driver doesn't have to do a thing, even if he or she had pressed the button beforehand.
Unfortunately, you'll have to spend a few extra grand to get power sliding doors with a child protection mechanism that prevents the doors from closing on a kid's arm or leg. The good news is that, once you've found your way inside, the Sienna offers a pleasant and extremely functional layout. You can easily retrieve a couple of seats, hide the third-row bench under the floor to increase cargo room or put all the seats back in place to accommodate the entire soccer team. When all is said and done, everyone enjoys their own vital space thanks to adequate legroom and headroom.
 |
| With a maximum cargo capacity of 4,220 liters, the Sienna is the queen of minivans. |