Our staff has been saying for years that you can't beat a minivan for a family vehicle. In the past, those buying an SUV rather than a minivan gave up a lot of passenger space and cargo capacity in exchange for a cooler image. With the current crop of larger three-row crossovers, the gap has been closed considerably, and as a result, minivans have been declining in popularity, with Ford and GM both pulling out of the segment.
That said, minivans still are the smart choice if maximum seating comfort and massive stuff-lugging versatility are must-haves. And Toyota sees that thinning of the herd as an opportunity to grab more market share -- yes, the pie is smaller, but so is the number of those vying for a big slice. Showing the motoring press its redesigned for 2011 Sienna, Toyota offered a little "same-old, same-old" (not a bad thing) and something of a shocker -- a sport-tuned minivan. When you've finished laughing, please follow the jump.
Styling: Ok, there's only some much you can do with the space-efficient but boxy 
architecture required of a minivan. But we give Toyota credit for adding some interest via its current design language. There's the downwardly-angled headlights (a style seen in the Camry) along with the stretched-taffy taillights (a cross between the previous Lexus RX and the new Toyota Venza). In between, the big box features hidden side-door tracks, which although nothing new, clean up the body sides considerably. The rearmost side windows even have a BMW-like kick to them.
But of all the trims (base, LE, XLE, Limited and SE), the sport-tuned SE version is the looker, with its aggressive lower air intake, wheel well-filling wheels and tastefully sculpted rocker panels. I have no problem calling this minivan kind of cool. And it becomes more so when you drive it.
Powertrain and Performance: The 3.5-liter V6 is essentially carried over. The big news is the availability of a four-cylinder engine, that being the 2.7-liter, 187-hp workhorse that sees duty in the Venza and Highlander, among others.
We drove an LE with the 2.7 four first, and given that it's charged with moving over two tons of minivan the performance was satisfactory. A smooth and fairly quiet operator, around town it had enough punch to deal with traffic and cruised at an easy 75 on the freeway. But when faced with steeper inclines and quick merging it was working hard and the thrust quickly tapered off. The smart six-speed automatic does a great job at keeping the four lively. Unlike some other automatics (hello, GM?) it doesn't shift up to the tallest gear ASAP in the quest to maximize fuel mileage, and will seamlessly kick down a gear without you having to put your foot through the floorboards.
The downside? According to the trip computer we were getting 18.5 mpg on our mixed route; later on, in the nearly-80 hp stronger V6, we were averaging 20.2. Huh?! Here's our hypothesis -- the four cylinder has to work pretty hard to move something that weighs more than a Ford Crown Vic, and the adroit transmission keeps it in the sweet spot of its powerband to do this. However, the job is much easier for the broad-shouldered V6. And as we've noted in the past, that V6 is a gem -- plenty of smooth power and it's also matched to a cooperative 6-speed automatic. Lest you doubt the mpg figure, we've had both a Camry V6 and a RAV4 V6 in our long-term fleet and they also put up impressive fuel economy numbers.
Handling and Ride: Both the LE four cylinder and the XLE V6 drove about the same. If you've driven a Sienna, the dynamic will be familiar -- light effort steering, a smooth, isolated ride and composed if not athletic handling. In other words, just dandy for most minivan buyers.
But there is another option for dads (or moms) who may want something a little more sporting and involving to drive. That's where the oxymoron minivan we referred to earlier comes in -- the sport-tuned Sienna SE, and it's not just big wheels and a body kit. Both the suspension and the steering have been recalibrated and the result is almost comical -- in a good way. "This thing actually likes curves!" was one laughing outburst I couldn't contain as we cleanly sliced through the turns on Ortega Highway. And despite its sporting intentions, the SE doesn't ride as if its shocks have arthritis; this sport minivan still delivered a supple ride worthy of the Toyota badge.
Interior: With its swooping dashboard style and two-tone scheme, the Sienna's cabin is 
attractive enough. But the textured hard plastic on the dash top could double as a pumice stone. While my co-driver drove and I navigated, I had to resist the urge to smooth out the calluses on my hands. Ok, I'm being dramatic, but some soft-touch material on the dash top would be nice. Key for a minivan, there's plenty of handy stowage in the form of dual (large) gloveboxes, big door pockets and a shallow compartment between the front seats with a rubber mat. Both my notebook (as in the kind you write in) and my cellphone were happily stuck there.
If you've sat in a La-Z-Boy, a Maybach 62 or a dentist chair, you know how comfy you can be 
sitting down with your legs supported. With the second-row reclining lounge chairs in the Limited, you'll likewise have a leg/foot rest you can deploy to coddle your lower limbs. Let someone else call shotgun, it'll be their loss.
Price: Toyota didn't give out official pricing and only stated that the entry-level model would be less than this year's. Well, yeah, considering that the 2010 base model has the V6 and the base 2011 will have the inline four. That said, we estimate it will run from about $24,000 for the base/4-cylinder up to about $40,000 for the loaded Limited. All but the SE and four-cylinder versions are slated to go on sale in February of 2010, with the aforementioned to follow a few months later.
Conclusion: The mainstream sellers, including the volume-leader LE V6 and plusher XLE, should please those looking for a refined people mover with a nice ride and good fuel mileage. Yep, a proven formula for the Sienna. But for folks like me, who consider driving an interactive sport, the SE is the one to get. Who would've thought? A minivan with some dynamic chops!
Though the four cylinder-powered Sienna performed better than expected, I'd have to wonder how it would do loaded up with a bunch of active teenagers and their snowboards, heading up into ski country. And from what I witnessed, going with the four just makes no sense. If you're going to give up a considerable amount of performance and not gain much (anything?!) in fuel economy, what's the point? Other than being a price leader darling for the dealers, we don't see one.
By dougtheeng
on December 21, 2009
07:31 AM
What is with the latest trend for terrible company-wide grill designs? Toyota? check. Honda? Check. Acura? Check. Chevy? Check.
STOP PLEASE. WHY DO ALL TOYOTAS HAVE TO LOOK LIKE A COROLLA???
By brn
on December 21, 2009
07:44 AM
When test driving a minivan, you should probably loan it to some families. The real test of these beasts is how they cater to a family.
By 1487
on December 21, 2009
09:32 AM
The interior is horrible- and it appears to have the same hard plastics as the Venza. When is Toyota going to note that Ford, GM and Hyundai are doing great interiors these days? Their recent efforts are lacking. I thought the Venza had an OK interior until I sat in it at the auto show. Corolla grade plastics and cheap looking finishes abound- and the vehicle isnt even that cheap in terms of MSRP. Don't get it.
As for the automatic- it may shift smoother but the I4 model is pointless because it only nets 2mpg vs the V6. Why would anyone sacrifice THAT much hp to gain so little? There is a reason why modern automatics in fuel efficient midsize vehicles are quick to upshift- EFFICIENCY.
By towsie2001
on December 21, 2009
11:30 AM
I'm very intrigued by your comment, "...light effort steering, a smooth, isolated ride..." Could you expand on this please? Both characteristics are critical to me, and I'm holding off on a purchase until I can verify this, since the Sienna would suit my purposes more than the alternatives (Nissan Murano and Ford Flex). Another "First Drive" reviewer stated that the new Sienna has heavier steering, and that the ride is "firmer." Please elaborate on your own reaction.
Also could you comment on the navigation system? To my dismay my Toyota salesman told me he assumes that the "new" Sienna will have the same DVD-based GPS system that's already been in the Prius and Land Cruiser, rather than a state of the art hard drive-based system like the Fords and Nissan Murano have.
By 1487
on December 21, 2009
01:19 PM
the screen, controls and graphics are the same as every other Toyota so I would assume its still DVD based. Its a dated looking nav system.
By johnnyturbo
on December 21, 2009
04:18 PM
@towsie,
The non-SE versions of the Sienna I drove had the typical Toyota qualities of light steering and a compliant ride. The SE, on the other hand, had more weight in the steering and a slightly firmer, more controlled but still comfortable ride.
I would suggest you drive both the SE and any other trim (say, the XLE) to sample both flavors and see what your preference is.
As far as the nav system, yes it is still DVD-based.
By ahightower
on December 22, 2009
05:42 AM
I kinda dig it. The SE looks somewhat like an oversized Mazda5, which is a good thing.
I also really like the stowable middle seat, and its nifty storage space in the back. I know Honda Odyssey has had this for a while now, too. We have three young'uns. Most days, the third row would be up and that extra seat stowed away. No matter how easy to flip and fold or even power operated, the best way to get a kid into the third row is to just let him walk through the center aisle. Especially when there are still booster seats to deal with. But it would be nice to be able to put all three kids across the middle and fold down the third row for maximum luggage/gear/doggy space on vacation or camping.
And one of those second row recliners would be a nice place for mom to hang out, handle snack time with the kids, grab a nap, etc. on a long trip.
By blackadder5639
on December 22, 2009
10:07 AM
1487, dude, what's your problem? Are you a sales rep for GM or something?
By dougtheeng
on December 22, 2009
10:26 AM
^^ he is mandated by law to point out negative flaws in every single non-GM vehicle that is every features on Edmunds. You'll learn to ignore him.
By firstwagon
on December 24, 2009
06:36 PM
blackadder5639
Watch him explode in a never ending series of rants if anyone dared to point out simular flaws on anything GM makes.
I don't see the point of the 4 cyl either but at least Toyota still makes a roomy minivan instead of just trendy crossovers.
By windsor5
on January 4, 2010
11:46 AM
while normally i dont agree with 1487. This time he does make a good point. I think it is actually cheaper to use a non dvd based nav system these days and they work soooo much better.Really toyota failed on that part. However its not a bad looking van and between the Odysee and the Sienna I think ill have to go with the Sienna looks nice on the outside and inside. That being said Ill still go with a crossever like the Flex or Traverse or Pilot.
By towsie2001
on January 7, 2010
05:58 AM
windsor5 said: "I think it is actually cheaper to use a non dvd based nav system these days and they work soooo much better.Really toyota failed on that part"
I completely agree. How dare Toyota represent this Sienna as "all new" and "completely redesigned" when they put a past-generation, obsolete GPS system in it? Particularly one that online comments from current owners indicate that they hate? And also when Ford has exceptionally sophisticated state of the art Nav/info systems in their cars, with hard drive- instead of DVD-based storage plus real time information services like gas prices, weather, sports, and local movie listings. Toyota thought they'd slip this past us, when they had a great opportunity to bring their electronic technology up to state of the art. Honestly this is a major discouragement to me in buying a 2011 Sienna, despite most of its other characteristics being excellent.
I will be spending many years and countless hours looking at, and using, the Nav system in my next car, and it absolutely must be an excellent system. Toyota is driving me to a Ford Flex. Another candidate for me is the new Nissan Murano, which has a hard-drive based Nav (but no real time information services); however the LCD display is small and the graphics are low resolution, not crisp, sharp, and bright, so I'll probably pass on this one. Nissan also missed the boat in this area.
windsor5 also said, "However its not a bad looking van and between the Odysee and the Sienna I think ill have to go with the Sienna looks nice on the outside and inside."
I agree here too. I'm still driving my 2000 Odyssey, and I can't stand the unjustiably heavy steering, harsh, bumpy ride, and noisy interior, although it's by far the best car I've ever owned in terms of reliability and longevity. I haven't even taken the time to look at the new Odyssey because of reviewer comments that the ride is still harsh. The thing is I don't want to have to battle my own car, I want it to be relaxing, enjoyable, and easy.
By towsie2001
on January 8, 2010
05:48 AM
MORE -- from a professional review of the 2010 Prius, which has the same navigation system as the 2011 Sienna: "The navigation system itself is a 6th generation system by Denso. The first thing I tested on the navigation was to see if the system is like the 2nd Gen and locks the user out if the car is in motion. Sadly, this is still the case."
I'm afraid this incredibly stupid move by Toyota, which had to have been aware of countless bitter comments online about this by frustrated owners, is a deal breaker for me. Sayonara Sienna.