Toyota Sienna

Not to be confused with Toyota Sienta.

The Toyota Sienna is a family minivan currently manufactured in the United States by the Japanese automaker Toyota for the North American market only, and shares its platform with the Toyota Camry. It is rumored to be exported to emerging markets such as China by the year 2010^[1]. The Sienna replaced the first generation Toyota Previa van in 1998 befitting as a more conventional front wheel drive design, and was last updated in 2004 as a larger model.

First generation (1998-2003)

Vorlage:Infobox Automobile generation In late 1997, Toyota launched the smaller front wheel drive 1998 Toyota Sienna in the North American market as a replacement for the rather avant-garde mid-engined Toyota Previa (the Previa nameplate is still available in Eurasia, and being sold in Japan as well as some other markets as the Toyota Estima). The Toyota Sienna debuted with a 3.0-liter 1MZ-FE V6 engine rated at 145 kW and 284 Nm (385 ft·lb) of torque. Built on an extended platform of the Toyota Camry, the Sienna was appropriately marketed as the "Camry of minivans". The Sienna also touted the best-in-class miles per gallon of any minivan which was rated at 18 city/24 highway. It was built in Georgetown, Kentucky.

For 2001 model year, the Sienna underwent a minor mid-cycle refresh. This update included a facelift to both front and rear fascias which added a new revised front grille design along with more modern front headlights and rear taillights. Front fog lights (a former option) were now made standard. Toyota also revamped the center console area to add more usability to the HVAC controls along with new locations for the accessory switches (Rear Vent, Power Sliding Doors, Heated Seats). The engine now came equipped with VVT-i boosting output to Vorlage:Convert and Vorlage:Auto ft.lbf torque. This generation was noteworthy for its impressive safety content as one of the few minivans to offer competitive options including anti-lock brakes, Vehicle Skid Control (VSC), traction control and SRS Side-impact airbags.

Second generation (2004-present)

Vorlage:Infobox Automobile generation In January 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. This redesign continued to be offered in CE, LE, and XLE trims in addition to a more luxurious XLE Limited model. All Siennas were powered by a new 3.3-liter 3MZ-FE engine paired with a new 5-speed automatic transmission. Having grown larger in size than the first generation, the Sienna now offered a variety of new features, many of which were novelties derived from other competition within segment. A prime example of this is the clever fold-away third-row seat that folds flat into a floorwell (that could also be used to storage grocery-bags when not occupied) to become level with the cargo floor, which was first revolutionized by the Honda Odyssey (a rival minivan) and soon by nearly every other minivan. However, while the Odyssey's "Magic Seat" was a one-piece folding bench, the Sienna's was made even more innovative by a convenient 60/40 split configuration for more versatility. Power-retractable side-windows integrated into the second-row sliding-doors (first introduced in the Mazda MPV) were also new as well as available eight-passenger seating (CE and LE only), power sliding doors, power liftgate, adaptive cruise control, backup sensors and backup camera, "kid-view" mirror, navigation system, and available all wheel drive. Fuel economy remained commendable at 19 city and 26 highway (17 city/23 highway for AWD).

In July 2005, Toyota announced early changes for the 2006 model year. The front fascia, side molding, and rear taillamps were redesigned. The measurements for horsepower and torque were changed to the SAE's new specifications (to 215 hp and 222 ft·lbf, respectively). Blue-backlit Optitron gauges were added to LE, XLE, and Limited trims. The "XLE" prefix in "XLE Limited" was removed to lessen confusion, and a memory option for the power driver's seat was also added to the XLE and Limited trims. Bluetooth capability and power-folding third-row seats were newly available. Front side-torso airbags and head-protection curtain airbags for all three rows became standard equipment (formerly an option as part of a package) across the board. The optional rear seat audio system was discontinued.

For 2007, a new 2GR-FE 3.5-liter V6 engine putting out Vorlage:Convert replaced the old unit, and a new seven-spoke alloy wheel design was made exclusive to the Limited and AWD models.

For 2009, the Sienna remains largely unchanged save for a change in pricing which becomes even more competitive through a myriad of available comprehensively-equipped "extra-value package" offerings. In the Canadian market, base prices are lowered by up to as much as $1,500.^[2]

A redesigned Sienna with more aggressive stying is scheduled for release in 2009 as a 2010 model. A gas/electric hybrid variant exclusive for the North American market is said to be in the works.

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

Models

The 2008 Toyota Sienna is available in:

CE ($24,340 USD MSRP)
CE 8-Passenger (24,490 USD MSRP)
LE ($25,865 USD MSRP)
LE 8-Passenger ($26,015 USD MSRP)
LE AWD (29,035 USD MSRP)
XLE ($29,525 USD MSRP)
XLE AWD ($32,285 USD MSRP)
Limited ($35,465 USD MSRP)
Limited AWD ($37,665 USD MSRP)

Sienna from Toyota - 2008 Models, Features, & Prices (January 7, 2008)

2008 specifications

Engine: 3.5 L DOHC 24-valve dual VVT-i V6 - 2GR-FE
Output: 266 hp (200 kW) at 6200 RPM and 248 ft·lbf (336 N·m) at 4700 rpm (SAE Net)
Transmission: 5-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission
MPG: EPA Estimated 23 MPG Highway, 17 MPG City (2WD), and 21 Highway, 16 City (AWD).
Drivetrain: Front wheel drive, all wheel drive available on LE, XLE, XLE Limited (CE in Canada)
Turning Diameter: 36.8 ft (11.2 m)
Brakes: Power-assisted ventilated front disc, rear disk with anti-lock braking system (ABS), with 4-wheel disc brakes on XLE Limited, all wheel drive models or with available Vehicle Stability Control system and Brake Assist

In the media

A yellow 2004-05 Toyota Sienna taxi is driven as the primary vehicle in the game show Cash Cab.

A light-blue 2004-05 Toyota Sienna CE is the family minivan featured in the Disney movie The Pacifier.

The YTV Van used in the Long Day Weekend Trip is a Sienna painted with the YTV Logo.

References

Vorlage:Reflist

External links

Commons: Toyota Sienna – Sammlung von Bildern, Videos und Audiodateien

Vorlage:Modern North American Toyota trucks

[1] Toyota will export U.S. made SUV and Minivan | JapanCarBlog.com

[2] The 2009 Toyota Sienna: The ultimate minivan for families on the go delivers greater value, quality and safety at a better price

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