Comparison review: Minivans vs. crossovers (first place)

The 2010 Toyota Sienna is about to be replaced, but this outgoing model remains competitive -- particularly at discounted prices. See more photos of the Sienna in today's slideshow. (photos by Brady Holt)

Who really wants to think about a minivan? 

A family hauler's primary goal is to accommodate a family, without drawing unnecessary attention to uncomfortable seats, a bumpy or noisy ride, a space shortfall, or a reliability defect. The 2010 Toyota Sienna, even as its 2011-model replacement is just weeks away, pulls that off the best. 

In this comparison, the two crossovers lost for their relative lack of space and higher prices. The Kia Sedona and Dodge Grand Caravan have struggled in reliability surveys. The Honda Odyssey is expensive and a bit noisy. 

The Sienna isn't perfect either. Run down a list of desirable qualities in a vehicle, and one competitor or another will best it in nearly every one of them. But only for a sense of disconnection in the ultralight steering does this van lag each of the other five people haulers. And against these other vehicles' collections of drawbacks, the Sienna's lack of sporty handling won't cost it the win. 

When the Sienna was introduced in 2004, some reviewers called it “the Lexus of minivans” for its high refinement levels and well-appointed interior. However, luxury was largely reserved for the upper-level versions; this midlevel LE feels decidedly more basic inside. Most plastics are hard and the dash sounds hollow, but panels at least fit together well. The XLE and XLE Limited models aren't perfect either – designed as they were to 2004's standards – but the ambiance is much nicer. 

The seats are firm but rather shapeless in both the front and rear; the third row is a bit low and hard, but it's acceptably spacious. Like the Honda Odyssey and Chevrolet Traverse but unlike the others in this comparison, the Sienna offers seating for up to eight passengers, but the eighth will be a bit squished. Note that the eighth seat, which squeezes between the middle-row captain's chairs, is an extra-cost option; the Odyssey's miniseat and the Traverse's three-passenger bench are standard equipment. 

More of that Lexus refinement is evident in the Sienna's driving dynamics than in the interior, but there too does the luxury fall a bit flat compared to the newer Dodge Grand Caravan. The Dodge feels more solid on the road – in part, perhaps, because it is indeed heavier – and matches this Toyota's impressive quietness. The Sienna's 3.5-liter V6 engine – shared with many other Toyotas – continues to impress for its power and refinement, but its five-speed automatic transmission isn't always ideally smooth as it shifts. (Next year's model has the six-speed transmission that has rolled out in other recent Toyotas, which may be smoother and which is supposed to improve gas mileage.) And while reviewers with racetracks and stopwatches show the Sienna handily out-accelerating the competition, the race feels much closer on the road among these six vehicles, with only the Ford Flex feeling appreciably less peppy. 

The Sienna's handling is less impressive, as the suspension was clearly softened for a pillowy ride. But several competitors have now approached or matched that comfort level without flopping around when pushed. If you don't intend to take your family around corners at high speeds, however, you likely won't notice this, and it's not as if the van will be unsafe if you need to swerve. You are likely to notice a tight turning radius that trails only the Honda Odyssey among these six vans, and even then only by a hair.

Where the Sienna does stand out from the competition rather than just playing on approximately their level is its cargo volume. The Sienna and Odyssey are a cut above even other minivans, and the Toyota edges out the Honda in each dimension. The Sienna's middle-row seats flip further forward than the Honda's too, but don't disappear into the floor like the Grand Caravan's. The Sienna also requires a bit more grunt to stow its third-row seat than the others – some of which can be folded easily one-handed.

See more photos of the Sienna in today's slideshow

Another standout point is that the Sienna – unlike the Grand Caravan or Kia Sedona – hasn't struggled in reliability studies by Consumer Reports or TrueDelta.com, with owners reporting relatively few problems with their vans. It no doubt helps that the current Sienna is one of the oldest designs still in production, giving bugs a chance to be worked out; if the upcoming 2011 redesign is like too many recent Toyota launches, it may suffer from some early glitches.

And while the Sienna doesn't separate itself from the herd for its price, it does make its way toward the lower end of the vehicles in this comparison, coming in at an estimated $27,000 out the door nicely equipped. Unlike the budget-priced Kia, too, the Sienna hasn't suffered from steep depreciation. 

The minivan market is poised for change later this year, with a redesigned Sienna and Odyssey and a reintroduced Nissan Quest. Standards for comfort, refinement, driving dynamics, and feature content will likely shift dramatically. 

But the basic value of this outgoing 2010 Sienna still shines through. It's no-nonsense, forgettable transportation that easily swallows a family and its cargo without swallowing a $30,000 check like the competing Honda. 

Each van on the market today has a key strength – the Sedona is inexpensive, the Odyssey is the most agile, and the Grand Caravan is the most versatile. The Ford Flex crossover, too, impresses for its luxury. If those areas in particular jump out at you as what you seek in your family hauler, that is the vehicle you should shop first. 

But if you're looking for a pleasant blend of as many of those qualities as possible without the various flaws that knocked those other vehicles from the first-place pedestal, this Sienna is your winner too. 

Vehicle tested: 2010 Toyota Sienna
Vehicle base price (MSRP): $24,540
Version tested: LE
Version base price (MSRP): $26,065
Vehicle price as tested (MSRP): $28,040
Estimated transaction price as tested*: $24,526
Estimated transaction price as comparable**: $26,920
Test vehicle provided by: Toyota of Bowie of Bowie, Md. 

Key specifications:  
Length: 201.0 inches 
Width: 77.4 inches 
Height: 68.9 inches
Wheelbase: 119.3 inches
Weight: 4,270 pounds 
Cargo volume behind third-row seat: 43.6 cubic feet
Cargo volume behind middle seat: 94.5 cubic feet 
Cargo volume behind front seats: 148.9 cubic feet 
Turning radius: 18.4 feet 
Engine: 3.5-liter V6 with 266 horsepower 
Transmission: 5-speed automatic 
EPA city mileage: 17 miles per gallon 
EPA highway mileage: 23 miles per gallon 
EPA combined mileage: 19 miles per gallon
For more information: Toyota website

Previous article: SECOND PLACE
Next article: CONCLUSION

 *Estimated transaction prices are based on online estimators and on quotes from dealers in the Washington, D.C., area. 

**The tested Sienna was missing the optional DVD entertainment system. The "price as comparable" reflects the cost of the van with that feature added.