Sienna | Toyota Sienna Minivan | A Mom's Dream Machine

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 5 people | Log in to rate

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La Sienna is the perfect family car

While I am aware of the fact that minivans are not generally regarded as sexy, the second generation Toyota Sienna is the perfect MOM car in my book. And, just for the record, I think that La Sienna, as I like to call her, is the sexiest Minivan ever to hit the road.

Yes, I love my Sienna, and I'm not ashamed to admit it!

Toyota Sienna: She's Got The Looks 

I know, I know, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Well, my eyes behold a minivan that is as beautiful as they come.

Red Toyota Sienna



The silhouette is sleek and elegant with a fearless and "in-charge" look. More specific, she has a somewhat rugged, solid quality appearance that is usually attributed to pricier makes.

Safety First: Toyota Sienna Crash Tests 

Because safety matters, especially for a family car.

As a Mom I am more concerned about the safety features of my car then ever before. Besides, being in a serious car crash is statistically a high probability, so having a safe car is not really optional.

This video demonstrates the high standard of safety should our Sienna be involved in a frontal collision, offset crash, side impact and rear collision. We can see how the crumple zone absorbs a great part of the impact energy, buying invaluable split seconds of time for the airbags to deploy.

Although I hope my Sienna will never have to prove her protective nature to me and my family I feel reasonable safe in this car.

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More Toyota Sienna Crash Test Videos 

As well as Safety Ratings

If, for some strange reason, you enjoy watching Siennas getting smashed up you are invited to knock yourself out here.

The official NHTSA safety ratings for the Toyota Sienna
Passenger: 5 stars
Driver: 4 stars
Side Impact Front: 5 stars
Side Impact Rear: 5 stars
Rollover Rating: 4 stars
(NHTSA: 5 star, 4 star, 3 star, 2 star, 1 star, Not Tested)

IIHS Ratings
Crash Offset: Good
Bumper Bash: Not Tested
(IIHS: Good, Acceptable, Marginal, Poor, Not Tested)

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Crash Test 2006 - 08 Toyota Sienna (Side Impact) IIHS

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Seat/Head Rest Test: 2005 Toyota Sienna

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The Sienna Is A Practical Gal 

With up to 8 comfortable seats, even the larger families will be accommodated. The third row seats are split 60/40 and will stow flat into the floor. Second row seats can be placed in several positions and will fold package style or can even be removed when not needed.


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With the seats out of the way, the Sienna has a huge cargo space. I was able to fit an entire wooden loft/bunk bed including 2 twin mattresses in her belly. Made me feel like I was piloting the Super Guppy... And when we go camping, my 2 boys and I sleep in the back on an inflatable queen size mattress, which fits perfectly even with the second row seats folded up inside.

Toyota Sienna Cargo Space

A 2008 Toyota Sienna XLE Tour 

This friendly salesman is happy to demonstrate the Sienna and her features without sales pressure. I thought he did a nice job:
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Toyota Sienna: My Favorite Features 

I'm not going to recite the sales brochure here. These are some features that I find particularly useful:


  • Dual sliding doors
    It's hard to imagine that there are still vans out there with only one sliding door. Also, both doors have power windows which I took for granted until I learned that they're by no means a standard minivan feature.
  • Sliding Doors
    Yes, I know I'm repeating myself. Just the fact that the rear doors slide makes them a perfect choice for rambunctious kids. There's no danger of them slamming the door into someone else's car.
  • Foot pedal parking brake
    This is not really a biggie but I enjoy it particularly because it reminds me of my Mercedes-Benz days.
  • Comfortable seats everywhere
    Especially the second row has superior seating over most other minivan models. Adult people can actually travel in full comfort with ample support for the back and the thighs.
  • 60/40 Split & Stow 3rd Row seats
    One of my most used features; the seats completely vanish into the floor. Or, when in use, the space becomes additional cargo area.
  • Removable second-row modular seating
    If you have 8 seats, the middle seat of the second row can be positioned forward to make it easier to attend to a baby, I guess. All seats are foldable and removable. I also like the fact that I can position the 2 rear seats apart to minimize sibling quarreling. For some, it may work better when the seats are next to each other. It's great to have a choice.
  • Folding tray table between front seats
    Since the automatic transmission shift is on the dashboard the floor is flat between the seats. The sturdy tray folds down and out of the way if you want to access the rear from the front.
  • 10 to 13 cup holders and 4 bottle holders
    With small kids, a family can never have enough cup holders in the car!
  • Separate A/C and Climate Control for the rear zone
    Very useful so the passengers in the back can have their own comfort settings.

Extras I wish I had 

I bought my Sienna used and with a limited budget. However, if I could have been able to choose these are some features and options I would definitely want to have:

  • Power Rear Door(s)
    I don't care so much about the passenger doors, but the back door or hatch is a bit too hard for me to close. Every single time I have to use it I wish it were powered. If I could choose only one option, this would be on the top of my wish list!
  • Rear-seat DVD entertainment system
    My kids have been bugging me about this; it's probably a good investment when you travel with kids frequently. As an alternative to a built-in system I'm considering a portable, dual screen DVD player when they become more affordable.
  • Fog Lamps
    They're only available with the higher priced trim packages but I think they should be standard on every car. I don't like the idea that safety is optional. Thumbs down for Toyota on this one!

  • Yahoo! Autos
    Navigation System with Backup Camera
    Sure, I've lived without it and will continue to do so but this is one gadget that would be fun to have. The backup camera is a cool idea.
  • Sunroof/Moonroof
    Maybe it's just me, but I really miss having the option to open up the roof on nice days. If you've never had one before you're not going to miss it much, I guess.

Buying A New or Used Toyota Sienna 

If you're in the market to buy a brand new Sienna you're in luck. There has rarely been a better time to buy a new car: Dealers are hungry, commodity prices have come back down, interest rates are falling and credit is already more available than people might think.

Before you hit the showrooms you need to be armed with knowledge of the current pricing and available dealer or factory incentives. The easiest and most convenient way is to get several quotes from dealers in your area through some of the established automotive networks like Yahoo! Autos or Edmunds.com. Once you have multiple dealer quotes you can negotiate like a pro and get the best possible deal.

If you already know that your credit is considerably less than perfect you might want to check out DriveTime - The used car dealership for those with bad credit. Apply online.


On the other hand, if you have a great credit score you may be able to save a bundle by financing with up2drive.com, which looks unspectacular at first but is really the BMW Bank of North America. Their competitive rates are also available if you buy from a private party or just want to refinance an existing auto loan. But as I mentioned, you need to have a reasonably good credit score to get approved.

Financing your Sienna 


Easy car loans from DriveTime


Unless you want to pay cash you will probably consider some sort of financing to pay for your new or used car. For a quick primer, check out these related lenses:

Buying a Preowned Toyota Sienna 

Toyotas are generally very durable and reliable. So I did not hesitate to buy a used 2004 Sienna online. After a phone call with the owner, some detailed pictures and a clean CARFAX report I had a good feeling about this. 2 years later I can still say I did not regret it. My Sienna has yet to see a shop from the inside. She's never asked for more than a tank of gas every now and then.

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The Closest Competitor: Honda Odyssey 

When I first considered buying a minivan I looked at all current models with an open mind. Due to my budget limitations I seriously considered the Chrysler Town & Country and the Dodge Grand Caravan. They offered some great deals on slightly used cars that nearly sold me. But then I actually tried them out and the cheap look and feel of the interior as well as the dismal passenger seating quickly put me off. I looked at 1 year old cars and already they were starting to fall apart.

The latest model Honda Odyssey is without doubt a very nice minivan that is probably equal to the Toyota Sienna in most respects. Since it does have a larger price tag however, I would still give my vote to the Sienna. In my opinion, I could not find a valid reason to pay that much more over a Toyota Sienna.
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Sienna or Odyssey - Who's got the best Minivan? 

Every top dog has a major rival that polarizes the fans. Best examples are Canon and Nikon, Pepsi and Coca-Cola, Toyota and Honda. They are equally good in the quality department but just pull on different heart strings.

Odyssey or Sienna - which side are you on?

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Toyota Sienna gets my vote!

Jack2205 says:

The Sienna is made better. The Odysseys' have problems.

Spook says:

It looks like a great car.

Squidster says:

This one is easy for me: Aside from my budget limitations I find the Sienna's exterior appearance more stylish.

Honda Odyssey floats my boat!

 

La Sienna Takes A Bath 

Research Resources 


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If you are buying a new car you'd want to do your homework first. Here are some resources that have helped me make an educated decision:
Edmunds.com
Read reviews, compare with competitors, get dealer quotes.
YAHOO! Autos
More reviews, competitor analysis and dealer quotes.
CARFAX used car VIN number search, auto history check, vehicle history reports
Don't buy a used car without CARFAX! Every CARFAX Report contains information that can help you make a smarter buying decision about a used car or truck. A small investment that can pay off big time.
Toyota Cars, Trucks, SUVs & Accessories
Official Site of Toyota Motor Sales. Get all the specs, features, options, colors, MSRPs etc.

The Toyota Sienna is Easy and Fun to Drive 

Even though she's large it's actually quite fun to drive this minivan. The responsive 6 cylinder engine has ample and smooth power and is surprisingly economical. Considering that you can transport up to 8 people, the mileage is quite reasonable. Officially stated to achieve 17/23 miles per gallon, I found that I can almost get 30 mpgs under ideal driving conditions. Granted, I have the basic CE trim which weighs less than a fully equipped XLE with all the options.

The turning radius is 36.8 ft which makes it easy to turn around and helps also in tight parking spots.

The Sienna handles like a much smaller car and doesn't have the sluggish feel of some other minivans. I actually would say she has a sporty handling that makes it fun to drive her on any road conditions.

If you have a Sienna on your list of possible minivans I can wholeheartedly say:

Buy one, You will not regret it!

Toyota Sienna Owner's Connection 

Do you own a Toyota Sienna or are planning to buy one soon? Sound off, brag away, ask a question or say just say "Hi"!

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Give your Sienna a little something 

She's been good to you so get her a little something in return. Who knows, you might enjoy it too :)

by Squidster

~~Thank you!~~


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