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Find out more about Nathan: Automotive media, racing, vehicle evaluation, wrecking yards, and car sales are just a part of Nathan Adlen’s vehicular past. He writes out of high octane passion! Check out his other works at http://www.Vehix.com/automotive and http://www.Automobile.com/blog |
The Lexus of Minivans!
There is a real question of comfort, utility, handling, safety and economy when thinking about current crossovers and SUVs. Coloradans need all of the above. All-wheel-drive (AWD) is an optional constant for these crossovers and SUVs.
What about minivans?
There is only one offered with AWD in the USA and thank goodness it’s the Toyota Sienna. This is a fantastic machine that offers all of the space of a minivan with the utility of an AWD vehicle. My tester was an optional AWD; the front-wheel-drive version is a good vehicle too. 
Toyota placed a smooth 266 horsepower 3.5 liter DOHC 24 valve V6 (245 lbs feet of torque) as the only power plant. The Sienna is an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV-II) and has a 5 speed electronically controlled automatic overdrive. A Mac Pherson strut front suspension with a coil spring, torsion beam rear suspension suspends the hefty 4500+ lbs vehicle. Front and rear stabilizer bars, ABS and 4-wheel disc brakes with brake assist complete the package.
Mileage economy figures are about 16 mpg city and 21 mpg highway, I averaged 18 mpg driving aggressively in the slush. This is on par for an equally heavy, non hybrid SUV. Steering feel and feedback are a bit numb and the AWD Toyota Sienna rides somewhat harder than its FWD sibling.
Forget off-roading or hard cornering.
This is a people moving appliance – period. Everything inside the comfortable cabin was deliberately made for drama-free transport and comfort. I was comfortable, confident and rather bored while driving the Sienna around Thornton and Federal Heights. Driving up an ice covered street near Federal was a breeze and I passed other minivans that had to turn around.
Nice.
What’s cool is that that this “transport” can easily take 7 up to a snowy peak with a bunch of skis. It is far more commodious and easy to drive than an SUV and many crossovers. All of the seats are comfortable and, if you opt for the 7 passenger seating (8 is optional) you get nice adult sized center row seats. Start laying out the dough for the higher end trimmings and your Sienna begins to look and feel like a Lexus.
With prices for the base model AWD LE starting at just under $30,000 (and just topping $40,000 fully loaded) at least you wont be paying Lexus prices. Maybe the Nissan Quest, VW Routan and (minivan-ish) Mazda 5 look much better, but the Sienna looks okay. It is a minivan and you'll always be reminded of that fact - weather driving or glancing at the Sienna.
All in all, this is a great machine with Toyota quality – I highly recommend it. 
Photos via: Toyota USA
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