By Mark Elias
Monday, Jan 18th, 2010 @ 2:08 pm

While the market for minivans has been on the wane ever since the crossover took off, Toyota has never wavered since introducing their first Sienna in 1997 as a 1998 model year entry. Since then, players have either discontinued their offerings ( Ford , Nissan , Hyundai ) or disappeared totally from the scene (Plymouth and Pontiac).
So that makes Toyota look like the guy running into a flaming building.

With the field considerably smaller than it was before, you’d think the folks from Toyota City could coast or take a breather during this lull in the market. Well, that’s what some people would think. Well, think again: Toyota recently unveiled an all-new 2011 Sienna with some rethought features and a new model lineup.

Four in a row
Toyota introduced its fourth generation Sienna (generation three was a mild refresh in 2007) to the motoring media at the Los Angeles International Auto Show last November, and had prototypes available for media drives shortly thereafter. Available in five levels of trim starting with a Base “Sienna†grade,and escalating to the LE, the SE Sport Version, XLE and top of the line Limited editions, the company has basically brought to the table something for virtually every possible customer and wallet size. Final assembly will occur in Georgetown, Kentucky, and will feature more than 85-percent domestic parts content.

Not just for kids anymore
In the past, the general rule was that a minivan was for toting around a bunch of kids and their tchotchkes, as well as half the other kids in the neighborhood, too. Don’t get us wrong. Toyota has not abandoned the market for Soccer Mom Transport, Inc. But they have added a few niches to the overall playbook.

The overall look of the new Sienna is one most will find familiar as well as redesigned. Familiar in the sense that it still has a profile that you would expect from the outgoing model, while borrowing cues from other newer members of the Toyota portfolio. For example, the grill looks as though it was lifted from the Venza parts bin.

But that hasn’t stopped Toyota from reaching outside the proverbial design box. Sienna project Chief Engineer Kazuo Mori explained that he was a racer at heart, and had to offer at least one model that was the sport version of a minivan. The SE is the result. In addition to a unique mesh grill, the front end receives a new Billy Big Mouth Bass lower grill that is different from the other models. Dark chrome accents around the lamp housings give a pseudo-JDM look, while ground effects rocker moldings help to enhance the vehicle’s low, wide stance.

Mori-San did not stop there. He went further by offering a sport-tuned suspension with revised coil spring rates, shock damping and lowered ride height as well as a special sport version of the electronically assisted power steering. After driving through the hills around Laguna Niguel, we can say the days of vague, electrically-boosted power steering are gone. We think it’s so good that we question their decision to only offer it to the SE version and not across the full line of Siennas since it offers more control and precision without an overly sporty feel that might turn off traditional shoppers.

Powertrain particulars
In addition to the five flavors of trim that the Sienna can be had in, it also comes with a choice of powertrains. The base model is available with a 2.7-liter 16-valve inline four cylinder producing 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft. of torque, the same powerplant available in the Highlander and Venza. The EPA says to look for mileage in the range of 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway with a combined figure of 22 mpg average.

For those seeking more sizzle with their steak, the Sienna is also available with a 3.5-liter 24-valve V6 which outputs 266 horsepower and 245 lb-ft. of torque. The V6 is available with the standard 2WD system, which gets 18/24 mpg with a combined average of 20 mpg. An available AWD system drops it to 16/22 mpg with an average of 18 mpg. It’s the same motive power found under the hood of the Avalon, Camry and RAV4, and it’s an engine we generally like.

During various loops along the Ortega Highway through the Cleveland National Forest, we experienced both engines in their element. The 2.7-liter, considering all the weight it was trying to motivate, still managed to allow us good passing power once at speed. The 3.5-liter V6 managed to get up in no time, and was able to hold its own during highway jockeying around the tractor/trailer tandems and leased Land Rover s cruising on I-5. Both engines utilize new six-speed automatic transmissions with uphill/downhill shift logic to naturally use engine braking to reduce speeds while on a downhill journey, while using lower gearing to climb steeper grades in a faster manner.

Ride and handling is greatly improved over its predecessor by way of retuned MacPherson struts in front and a more traditional Torsion Bear setup in the rear. The sportier SE model receives the aforementioned new spring package, which includes a lowered suspension of about ¾ of an inch, revised spring rates and an overall lower ride height to assist in more precise handling.

Comfort is key
Inside, the ride NVH and all the goodies are top shelf, if in a Toyota conservative sort of way. Filled with swoopy edges inside, the dashboard is driver-centric in its layout, leading the eyes toward the driver’s side of the front. Faux wood trim is inlaid in the steering wheel on some models and from the shift surround to the passenger side of the vehicle. With the speedo and tachometer occupying most of the gauge real estate, innovative placement of such items as the shift lever free up other areas for such things as purse storage and items of similar sizes and shapes.

In-car entertainment now features an available Dual-View monitor system, which works in conjunction with the Sienna’s DVD system and offers the ability to watch two programs at once or optionally one movie on a panorama-style screen.

The “way back†features a “fold-in-floor†area where the third row seating is stowed when extra cargo is needed. The middle row slides forward or backwards in a 26-inch range, with the seat bottoms lifting up and then the whole seat sliding forward for good cargo space although the seats are also removable so you can max out your capacity. Conversely, the middle row of the Sienna Limited features second-row lounge seating with the long-slide function. Just slide your seat back against the full rear seat, kick back a little shortly you will feel as though you are flying Singapore Airlines with their full reclining business-class seating. Just open up the dual moon roof, install a refrigerator and chances are you’ll never step outside the Sienna again.

Leftlane’s bottom line
Toyota has set out to build the best minivan possible, and by and large they have succeeded. With revised steering, as seen in the SE, and overall attention to detail in the Base and higher end models, Toyota is, in a down market, taking lemons and making lemonade. The huge range of offerings means there’s a flavor for every buyer, so as long as Toyota correctly estimates demand, the Sienna just might lead this market.

2011 Toyota Sienna base price, $24,260.

Words and photos by Mark Elias.

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