The Toyota Sienna is a minivan manufactured by Toyota at the Toyota
Motor Manufacturing Indiana facility, in Princeton, Indiana, United States, for
the North American market. It replaced the first-generation Previa van in 1997
with a more conventional front wheel drive layout and shares a heavily
revised platform with the Camry. Both the Previa and original Sienna were
smaller than the other minivans they competed against, but a redesign in 2003
increased the dimensions to match those of its competitors. The Sienna is
currently the only minivan in its class to offer all-wheel-drive. It was
redesigned a second time in 2010. The third generation Sienna was put on sale
in the US in February 2010 and is the first Sienna to ever receive a "Top
Safety Pick" award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
First generation In late 1997, Toyota launched the front
wheel drive MY 1998 Sienna in the North American market as a replacement for the
mid-engined Previa. The Sienna debuted with a 3.0-liter 1MZ-FE V6 engine rated
at 194 hp and 209 lb·ft of torque. Built on an extended platform of the Camry,
the Sienna was appropriately marketed as the "Camry of minivans," capitalizing on
the Toyota Camry's popularity and reputation. It came in three trim
levels, CE, LE, and XLE. The LE and XLE models were equipped with 2nd row
captain's chairs while the CE models came equipped with a 2nd row 2-passenger
bench seat. The driver side sliding door and roof rack were standard on the LE
and XLE models, but were optional on the CE models. The XLE models offered
leather seats and a wood trim package. The Sienna also touted best-in-class
fuel economy of 16 city/22 highway miles per gallon. It was built in Georgetown,
Kentucky. A year after its release, the Sienna faced new competition from the
redesigned Honda Odyssey minivan, which was larger and offered a V6 like the
Sienna. For the 2001 model year, the Sienna
underwent a mid-cycle refresh. This update included a facelift to both front
and rear fascias which added a redesigned front grille and bumper along
with revised rear taillights sporting a more modern appearance. Toyota also
revamped the center console area to add more usability to the HVAC controls
along with new locations for the accessory switches. The engine also came
equipped with a variable valve timing feature VVT-i boosting output to 210 hp
and 220 lb·ft torque. The driver side sliding door became standard on all
models, although the roof rack remained optional on the CE models.
This generation was noteworthy for its impressive safety content as one of the
few minivans to offer options including front seat-mounted side torso airbags
and Vehicle Stability Control. Anti-lock braking was standard. The Insurance
Institute for Highway Safety rated the Sienna "Good" in all six frontal crash
test measures, which was far better than the Previa.
The reputation of this generation was marred by a class-action settlement for
an engine oil sludge problem which affected the V-6 engines in many Toyota
models. Details of the settlement can be found at http:www.oilgelsettlement.com/.
The list of models affected and their engines are listed on page 7 of the
settlement document. Symptoms of the problem include oil smoke in the
exhaust, oil quickly becoming dark or black after an oil change, gasoline odor
in the oil, high oil consumption, and eventually engine failure.
Second generation On January 6, 2003, the
second-generation Sienna was unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show. Production
shifted to Princeton, Indiana, and the former Georgetown plant was retooled to
build the second generation Camry Solara. To make the redesign more
successful, Toyota assigned Yuji Yokoya as chief engineer on the new Sienna
project. Yokoya and his family drove the previous Sienna over 53,000 miles
throughout North America to find weaknesses from the previous model.
The new redesign continued to offer the CE, LE, and XLE trims along with a new,
more luxurious, leather-trimmed XLE Limited model. The most distinguishable
difference on the XLE Limited model is the horizontal chrome bar placed above
the rear license plate. All Siennas are now powered by an updated ULEV certified
3.3-liter 3MZ-FE V6 engine paired with a new 5-speed automatic transmission. The
gear-shift lever was also moved from the steering column to the lower-center
center console area, and moved in a zig-zag pattern similar to the Lexus RX.
New styling allowed for a coefficient of drag figure of 0.30 Cd. Fuel economy was
rated at 17 city/25 highway under revised EPA estimates.
The redesigned Sienna also offered a variety of new features, many of which
were derived from other competition within segment. For example, while the
Odyssey's "Magic Seat" was a one-piece folding bench, the Sienna's added a more
versatile 60/40 split configuration. In addition, the flat-folding third row
seat was offered even with all-wheel-drive. Power-retractable
side-windows which rolled down completely into the second-row
sliding-doors were also new along with available eight-passenger seating, dual
power sliding doors, and power liftgate. Standard features included remote
keyless entry, tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, high solar
energy-absorbing glass on the windshield and front windows, rear climate control,
and run-flat tires that came standard with the available all wheel drive. The
all wheel drive system continuously divided engine power 50:50 front and
rear. All 2004–2007 Siennas also came standard with a factory tow package and
a 3,500 pounds towing capacity. Major options included HID Xenon headlamps,
Dynamic Laser Cruise Control, front and rear obstacle detection, a "kid-view"
mirror, a voice-activated navigation system which included a backup camera,
10-speaker JBL "Synthesis" audio and rear-seat DVD entertainment system with
a flip down screen. = Safety=
The Sienna comes standard with anti-lock braking, brake assist, electronic
brakeforce distribution, traction control and a tire-pressure monitor.
Side torso airbags, and side curtain airbags were standard on certain 2004
and 2005 model trims while optional on others, but became standard on all 2006
trims. Vehicle Stability Control initially optional on lower trims became
standard for 2008 models. The IIHS gives the Sienna an overall
"Good" score in their frontal offset crash test with "Good" marks in all six
measured categories. All 2006 models and later receive a "Good" overall score,
while pre-2006 models without side airbags receive an "Acceptable" score
for side impacts. = Model year changes=
For the 2006 mid-cycle refresh, the front fascia, side molding, and
Headlamps were restyled. Blue-backlit electroluminescent Optitron gauges were
added to LE, XLE, and Limited trims. The "XLE" prefix in "XLE Limited" was
removed to reduce confusion, and new exclusive equipment for this trim
included an optional memory function for the power driver's seat and side-view
mirrors and power-folding exterior side-view mirrors with integrated
in-glass LED turn-signal repeaters. Other options included Bluetooth
capability and a power-folding third-row seat. Front row side torso airbags and
side curtain airbags for all three rows became standard equipment on all models.
The optional rear seat audio system was discontinued. Horsepower and torque
ratings were changed to meet SAE's new standard to 215 hp and 222 lb·ft and 242
lb·ft, Toyota also now rates engines on 87 octane).
For 2007, a new ULEV-II certified 3.5-liter 2GR-FE V6 engine rated at 266
hp with a rated fuel economy of 17/23 MPG for front-wheel-drive models and
16/21 MPG for AWD models replaced the previous 3.3-liter V6. The tire pressure
monitor was upgraded, and a new seven-spoke alloy wheel design was made
exclusive to the Limited and AWD models. For 2008, Vehicle Stability Control
became standard across the entire Sienna line.
For 2009, the Sienna remained largely unchanged, except for a revision in
pricing to become more competitive through several available
comprehensively equipped "extra-value package" offerings. In Canada, base
prices are lowered by up to $1,500. = 2010 specifications=
Engine: 3.5 L DOHC 24-valve Dual VVT-i V6 – 2GR-FE
Output: 266 hp at 6200 rpm and 248 lb·ft at 4700 rpm
Transmission: 5-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with
Intelligent Grade-Logic Control MPG: EPA Estimated 23 MPG Highway, 17
MPG City, and 21 Highway, 16 City. Drivetrain: Front wheel drive, all wheel
drive available on LE, XLE, XLE Limited Turning Diameter: 36.8 ft
Third generation The redesigned 2011 Sienna premiered at
the Los Angeles Auto Show in early December 2009. It was designed at Calty
studios and engineered at Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan
and Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan. The new Sienna arrived at dealers in
February 2010. The Sienna is offered in five trim
levels, the Sienna base grade, LE, XLE, Limited and for the first time the SE
trim. The new SE offers revised bodywork, clear tail lamps, 19-inch
wheels, firmer suspension and revised steering tuning for a sportier ride.
All-wheel-drive is only available with the V6 engine on the LE, XLE and Limited
model trims. Described by AOL Autos as slipping a sports car in a minivan,
Chief Engineer Kazuo Mori reportedly had to overcome opposition to get the SE
equipment package included in the line-up.[1]
The previous 3.5-liter 2GR-FE continues, but for the first time the Sienna offers
a four cylinder engine, the 1AR-FE; and is the first time Toyota has offered a
four cylinder engine in a North American minivan since discontinuation of the
Estima/Previa in late 1997. An Electric Power Steering system replaces the
previous hydraulic power steering system. Toyota continues to offer all
wheel drive in the Sienna. It is the only North American minivan with an
available AWD drivetrain. Toyota expects EPA-estimated mileage figures of 19
mpg-US city / 24 mpg-US highway for models powered by the 4-cylinder engine,
18 mpg-US city / 24 mpg-US highway for 2WD V6 models, and 16 mpg-US city / 22
mpg-US highway for AWD models. An optional tow package for V6 models is
rated to tow 3,500 pounds. The front dashboard features a "swoop"
wood trim, inspired by the Toyota Venza and Lexus RX, that gives front seat
occupants a "60/60" split whether in the driver or passenger seat.[2]
New features include an optional sliding second row with "Lounge Seating"
recliner style chairs, a feature previously seen on the Lexus LS, and
Toyota's keyless Smart Key System with push-button start. The rear seat
entertainment option now uses a 16.4-inch LCD screen which operates in
two view modes, a single 16:9-ratio widescreen or two separate 4:3-ratio
split screens with separate wireless headphones. Toyota's new "Display
Navigation with Entune" connected navigation system became available for
the 2012 model year. For safety the back-up camera comes with
a new 180° panoramic view. Other new options include a Pre-Collision System
as well as an automatic highbeam dimmer, Safety Connect and a more advanced
stability control system known as Vehicle Integrated Dynamics Management.
A driver's knee airbag is now standard as well.
When the second row seats are removed, the bottom of the second row seats,
which is similar to a rack, remains attached to the van floor. This means
that with second row seats removed, the floor is not flat.
Toyota is the first automaker to offer a factory installed auto-access seat for
disabled people. The one-touch rotating, power ascending/descending lift-up seat
can lower to within 19 inches of the ground.
The Toyota Sienna has had a minor refresh for the 2015 model year. All of
the Sienna trims received a new tail light and interior design. The Sienna SE
used the original pre-facelift "sport" tail lights. Toyota has added 3 new
colors. For the Limited and SE models, the Sienna features LED daytime running
lights. The rest of the trims have the same headlights as their pre-facelift.
Sales Awards
2004: Car and Driver's Five Best Trucks Van
Award Edmunds Editor's Most Wanted Van and
Edmund Consumer's Most Wanted Van Rated "Double Best Pick" by IIHS PDF
2010: Best Resale Value Award
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's "Top Safety Pick" Award
References External links
Toyota Sienna global site