By Samir Syed
March 19, 2008 -
When I drove a Buick Terraza around Berkeley last fall, I was overwhelmed by the sense of occasion that came with it. The car had so much ghetto cachet I almost fell in love with it. It reinforced all of the car enthusiast prejudices I harbored about minivans (i.e., they suck). And for that, I thanked it. The Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, proved to be a bigger challenge. Each time I wanted to hate some aspect of the minivan, I found myself pleasantly surprised. I don't think I'm giving anything away saying right from the outset that the world's most boring carmaker has made the best example of the world's most boring type of car.
The Sienna isn't much of a looker. You'll never associate the van with the insanely hot actress of the same name. Toyota's sensibility signature is stamped all over the vehicle, from its unexceptional one-bar grill to its reasonably-sized badge. Viewed from its side, it's obvious the Sienna pays some heavy tribute to the last generation Dodge Caravan. Bloated-bean styling? Check! Bulbous ass-end? Check! Wheels that look goofily undersized? Check! Check! Check! If non-descript is good, the Sienna is amazing.
The Sienna's interior's Camryness is unavoidable-which, admittedly, is no a bad thing, you know, for a glorified van. [The Camry is, after all, the sedan with the soul of a minivan.] The seats are perfect shaped for protracted posterior positioning. The interior plastics aren't particularly awesome, but they're not particularly Chrysler either. The controls don't snick as much as roll around in imaginary butter, but at least they do what they do, and probably will do for decades.
One gripe: the center stack. No matter what color the cabin, the center stack is unrelenting black. How much would it have cost to fit the Sienna with a matching center stack? All told, though, it's a near-perfect interior for the car buyer who doesn't want to spend too much time getting to know his car's interior.
The test Sienna was equipped with the eight-seating option, whereby the middle row of captain chairs is replaced by a composite bench for three. Full marks for relatively easy way back access. Equally important, even without the power-folding option, the third row folds into the floor with the flick of a wrist. And anyone who disses minivan man doesn't understand the practical value of what is, let's face it, a fancy, big ass panel van with seats.
That's not to say the Sienna is in any way a crude device; the interior is a veritable sanctuary of silence once the Toyota begins rolling. The minivan is unflustered and unflappable, isolating occupants from anything resembling external stimulus. I swear I couldn't tell you the condition of the roads I drove on without stopping, opening the door and looking down. If a fire truck was bearing down on me, the first indication would be in my rear-view mirror.
The Sienna's engine doesn't provide much in the way of stimulus, either. This is, of course, another huge plus. ToMoCo's corporate 266 horsepower 3.5-liter V6 is simply ideal in this application. With 245 ft.-lbs. of smooth, free-flowing torque on tap, the powerplant always has an answer. It never lets the Sienna driver get impatient or frantic or… anything really. Even with four adults aboard.
The Sienna's five-speed automatic gearbox is similarly inconspicuous by its absence. You put it in "D", "P" or "R" as needed and that's the end of it. I repeat: the drivetrain's refinement is literally incredible; it's either pure Zen or automotive monotony, depending on your tastes.
The electronically-assisted steering is a perfect match to the rest of the Sienna's subliminal driving dynamics. You can't help but feel that the minivan's helm is somehow running interference for its "master," surreptitiously autopiloting around road imperfections so as not to interrupt family discussions about what craptastic plastic toys the kids will win at Chuck E. Cheese.
If the Honda Odyssey is the BMW 535i of minivans, the Sienna is the Lexus GS430. The Sienna's chassis is completely dedicated to wafting, not carving. The Sienna plows through curves as you'd expect, but Toyota's designers were thoughtful enough to include anti-roll bars at both ends of the vehicle, which mitigate some of the copious body roll. Coupled with gas-filled shocks at both ends, the Sienna is safe, secure and serene.
Taken as a whole, the Sienna is remarkably unremarkable. It's a minivan whose space, features, power, ride and handling are so unobtrusive they simply disappear. It is, perhaps, the ultimate automotive appliance: an aid to family life that's as indispensable as it is invisible. Other minivans have their relative advantages, but none offer the Toyota Sienna's mind-numbing tranquility. How great is that?
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More Reviews72 Responses to “ 2008 Toyota Sienna LE Review ”
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POWERED
March 19th, 2008 at 6:27 am
Ahhh, I had to prep many a Sienna for the lot. For the record, those things come from the factory FILTHY…it usually took over two hours to give it a full wash/wax/vacuum/etch/interior prep cause they’re huge and dirty!
Anywho.
The thing that always seemed really incredible to me about the Sienna (sorry i don’t have numbers to go with this) was its turning radius. I could whip this thing around rows of cars like it was a Corolla almost. The engine was surprisingly strong for the size of the vehicle. The base model really didn’t feel all that cheap, either. I never liked that they blatantly copped Stow’n'Go for the rear, and the XLE wood trim is lame, but overall this was a pretty cool minivan. Conservative and elegant.
March 19th, 2008 at 7:06 am
Our 2004 Sienna is a similarly equipped 8 passenger LE - 2nd row has 3 LATCH connectors and the van is wide enough to get 3 huge car seats in simultaneously. The 3.3 V6 isn’t as strong as the current 3.5 but good enough. The plastiwood is fortunately not present, but handling is seriously Spongebob.
Sienna got the split 3rd row almost a year before the Chrysler or any other US market van did. The fold-down mechanism is also different - Sienna’s (and I believe Kia/Hyundai’s) slides down into the well behind the 3rd row, whereas Chrysler and Honda flip down into it. I would say it’s a good tug to get it down there, rather than a flick of the wrist.
March 19th, 2008 at 7:35 am
We have an 04 Odyssey, and it’s a much better drive than the Sienna, but the Sienna is a fine van. Couldn’t fault anyone, really, for chosing one.
Yes, the Oddy’s back seat is a big tug for smaller folks.
March 19th, 2008 at 8:16 am
After 7 years, you’ll really start to appreciate the Sienna.
This review reminds me that I once thought 15″ wheels were “large.” Most of our cars, prior to our 2001 Sienna, had 13″ and 14″ rims.
March 19th, 2008 at 8:21 am
Seems kind of silly. This review just tells us:
1.) It’s not a sports car
2.) Minivans are dull
3.) Liberal use of sarcasm in writing is great!
What about the child seat installation ease? Visibility? Cabin ergonomics? Storage features?
…Who cares if it doesn’t handle like a sports car or have the personality of one?
March 19th, 2008 at 8:52 am
I can totally appreciate the concept of minivans. Nothing beats them for maximum space/versatility/economy per size.
A couple years ago, I tested a 2004 Sienna LE, a 2006 Honda Odyssey EX, and a 2005 Chrysler Town & Country 3.8L. The Sienna was the most comfortable, the Odyssey the most sporty/fun to drive, and the T&C landed between the two. Amazingly, the Sienna got 30MPG at 75MPH per its trip computer. I was so surprised at this I ran the (flat/loop) route twice and got the same result; I even ran it in 4th gear, and got 25.5MPG. Wow.
I did some research online for the Odyssey. What I found was lots of owners gripe about the fuel economy (less than a 4X4 Suburban on the highway, often-times), and still, STILL, since Day-1 of the Odyssey, Honda can’t make a power sliding door that won’t fail. I’d like to see those smug Honda people explain about those two eternal complaints.
March 19th, 2008 at 8:55 am
In contrast with coupdetat , I was actually going to congratulate Samir on a fairly evenhanded review of this type of vehicle, especially for an enthusiast website. You actually made me want this van. For my wife, that is. ;)
March 19th, 2008 at 9:05 am
coupdetat: Seems kind of silly
I think that people’s attitudes to minivans are kind of silly. So I don’t feel that such an article coming from here too surprising. If you want to know more about, child seat installation and headroom figures you should go to Consumer Reports or something.
The sarcasm I think adresses the attitudes that people have towards “bland” minivans. A car is now more than just personal transportation, and indicates social status and hmmm, how do I put it, symbolizes the owners sexual prowess somehow. Minivans as mommy or daddy mobiles have gotten the rep, that has been enforced by designers, that the owners of such vehicles are no longer putting a priority in mating display…
Sorry for my pseudo-anthropological whimsy… got carried away
March 19th, 2008 at 9:08 am
As the proud original owner of a 1984 Toyota Van LE (5MT :)), I’ve always had a special place in my heart for Toyota minivans (and the general concept/purpose of minivans). While I lament the end of the interesting vans (ie, the 80s Van and Previa), I’m happy to know Toyota still does the minivan very well. As Samir pointed out, a bland vehicle segment from a now-bland company is a good match.
We’ve been in the market for a minivan for a while now and it always comes down to the Odyssey and Sienna. The mpg advantage for Toyota is compelling, but the Honda’s better driving dynamics (save for the wide turning radius) makes it a tough call. Neither is really a “bad” choice which makes it a difficult call!
The other minivan fans are going to be chiming in here I think. If I recall, a few past articles and editorials have brought us out of the woodwork. Being an enthusiast doesn’t mean you have to hate minivans. In some ways, it makes you appreciate their mission in life and how well they accomplish it!
March 19th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Nice but Not Quite.
I prefer the Nissan Quest if my futuristic wife will ask me. With multiple sunroof for each seat, 2 Dvd screens and of course a soccer mom’s favorite option is the Stow and go package and the Nissan Quest looks more futuristic than an old school van like the Sienna.
By the way I am not Kidding Mommy.