Best Cars: Toyota Sienna Features and Review

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Toyota Sienna Features and Review

Toyota Sienna

Toyota actually claims to have beaten Chrysler’s minivans of 1984 to market by a few months with its creatively named Toyota Van. But it would take another 20 years and the second-generation Sienna for Toyota to directly compete with the Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country. Starting in 2004, Toyota’s family hauler finally had enough room, horsepower, and practical features to be considered a serious contender in the minivan ranks.

In our last minivan comparison test, the Sienna, despite being a three-year-old design, placed second, beating out the current-generation Dodge Grand Caravan and falling behind the Honda Odyssey. We marveled at the Sienna’s luxurious demeanor but leveled criticism at its flaccid responses and boring, anonymous character. It seems Toyota may have heard our complaints, because the redesigned 2011 Toyota Sienna has upped the sportiness quotient in driving dynamics and looks.