Picture Gallery: 2007 Toyota Sienna XLE AWD LTD
Day 1:
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If you’re looking for space for seating and/or cargo, versatility and comfort in a smart package, there is still nothing out there that beats the minivan. This configuration has garnered the stigma of soccer-mom-mobile and the end of life as a driver over the years, especially with the new “it” vehicle — the SUV/CUV — emerging as the must-own vehicle for families.
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The Sienna is powered by Toyota’s ever so popular 3.5Litre V6, producing 266 hp and 245 lb.ft of torque in Sienna trim, and mated to a smooth 5 speed automatic transmission with a transmission cooler for towing.
The XLE model comes standard with pretty much everything you could ever want, except for Navigation ($2583.47) and a DVD entertainment system ($1499.00), which are extras. Features include: Moonroof, powered sliding doors and powered rear hatch, tri-zone climate control, laser guided cruise control, JBL Audio system with 10 speakers and leather seat surfaces including, of course, heated front seats.
As it turns out, this vehicle is the perfect one for me this week as I am feeling a little under the weather and the Sienna’s user-friendliness and the relaxed feel it provides allows me to concentrate on getting back to health rather than racing from stop light to stop light.
2007 Toyota Sienna XLE AWD LTD
MSRP as tested: $51,375
For more information on Toyota and the Sienna visit Toyota Canada
Day 2:
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The captain’s chairs in the second row of my tester are comfortable for the long haul and have ample leg room to stretch out. Shoulder room is plentiful as well, with enough distance between the two seats to squeeze through to the third row bench seat.
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Of course, I have been spending all of my time in the drivers seat chauffeuring people around since I’m the one with the minivan. The Sienna is so easy to drive I certainly do not mind being the chauffeur. Although there can be a down side to the ease of which the Sienna handles the road: you have to remember you are indeed on a road and not become complacent.
The Sienna is very quiet, smooth and numb. With highly-boosted steering and no road feel to be had, driving takes on a new meaning. I really liken it to driving my living room couch although I’d say the Sienna’s seats are more comfortable.
The AWD system seems to work seamlessly as I have not slipped on the snow at all, no matter how hard I’ve tried. Although I suppose I could be slipping and not have noticed… The Sienna’s vague driving experience really is something to behold.
Even though the Sienna is not engaging, I am enjoying my time in this vehicle. It provides the comfort level of a luxury car, the visibility and ride height of an SUV with passenger space for seven or eight, and to top it all off it, still handles like a car and is easy to maneuver in parking lots.
Day 3:
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The power lift gate is one of the greatest features. This is probably the most used door after the drivers door for someone like me. Into the rear I go to put my gym bag in the back, or my groceries or whatever other shopping I’m doing. I tend to carry a lot of items and my hands are always full. The power lift gate allows hands-free operation and the ability to have that door open and ready for me before I arrive.
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With the seats folded down there is more room than in most SUVs, proving once again that the minivan really is the most versatile vehicle for cargo and passengers. Passenger room is really where the Sienna shines, though.
The rear seats allow enough room for your family to change from their boots into their skates on the way to the hockey rink, saving you some time and allowing you to sleep in a little if you’re in a hurry.
On the road, the Sienna is quiet and smooth and as I alluded to on day two, really easy to drive but a little involving. The 266 hp V6 engine powering the Sienna has plenty of power to motivate the vehicle when required and filled up with seven people it should have no problems moving right along.
Surprisingly, the brakes on the Sienna are responsive and not the least bit vague; they have good initial bite and bring the Sienna to a quick stop with no drama. These are probably the best-feeling brakes I’ve used on a vehicle of this size, be it SUV or minivan.
Day 4:
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Gas mileage was pretty disappointing in the Sienna; I averaged 14.5L/100km and this included a lot of highway travel. It seemed it did not matter how easy I was on the throttle; the AWD drivetrain combined with the weight of the Sienna really did not produce good fuel mileage despite the Sienna being rated as one of the most fuel efficient vehicles in its class.
*Rating out of 5:
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*Rating based on vehicle’s classification
2007 Toyota Sienna XLE AWD LTD
MSRP as tested: $51,375
For more information on Toyota and the Sienna visit Toyota Canada
February 23, 2007, 11:28:30 am Do you have a solar battery charge for the Mazda 3?
Was your lease on a low mileage lease
February 23, 2007, 11:31:53 am Child seats :
Unless Toyota made a running change, the 7-seat Sienna has 4 tether anchors (both on the 60% part of the 3rd row), and the 8-passenger version has 5 (3 in the 3rd row).
The current Odyssey has 3 std, but 2 others are optional, for a total of 5 (the "plus seat" doesn't offer one). When the current Odyssey came out in 2005, there was no provision for the 4th and 5th anchors, and a running change was made for 2006.
My 2nd-gen Odyssey has the 2 extra anchors added (for more flexibility on road trips), for a total of 5.
The print version of the sidebar I wrote for Car and Driver's 2004 minivan comparo had a chart for child seat compatibility, although the one that was put to print had a typo. Still, you can read it up for some "parenting" features.
February 23, 2007, 12:29:45 pm In the US, this car gets Xenon headlights.
February 23, 2007, 01:42:53 pm
Did up here as well on the Limited. They've removed it for '07MY? Appears so.
With the pricing of this into the mid $50's, the ritzier Benz R-Class nearly looks like a bargain at $62,9 (all the more so when you look at size of the R vs other Benzes). I know it doesn't have all the toys, but would make me go 'wow' a hellava lot more.
February 23, 2007, 06:35:30 pm Wing, I noticed you like how easy it is to park. I am truly amazed at the tight turning circle this large a vehicle has. Despite being wider and longer than the Pathfinder, it will easily out-turn it. Takes some getting used to after driving the Sienna for awhile: oops, I guess I am not going to make that space after all!
February 23, 2007, 11:21:02 pm
Wonder if that's a strength of Toyotas.... I didn't realize how much our Camry turns on a dime until I got the Acura, which has got a much wiiiiiiiiiider turning radius in comparison.
February 24, 2007, 10:11:15 am When I first test drove the Sienna, salesguy had me go to a parking lot just to have me go in a circle to show off tight turning radius.
Was impressed.
February 24, 2007, 07:15:01 pm How does the Hyundai, GM, or Honda's turning circle compare? Is it that spectacular?
February 24, 2007, 07:47:34 pm Impressed, but not overwhelmed. I actually preferred the Odyssey overall. There might be 1 or 2ft difference in turning radius between Ody and Sienna.
February 24, 2007, 09:50:19 pm I drive a 05 Sienna CE8 (for <60% the price of the XLE AWD), all the description pertaining to comfort applies to the CE8 (if not more because mine doesn't use run-flats).
The van is quite big and it may have a decent turn radius but still, it is not easy to park at all.
The space inside is intoxicating, it is hard to go back, at least not for now, to a smaller vehicle.
The backseats have hooks and tethers for car seats (3 on 2nd row and 2 on 3rd row I think).
I have the van for 2+ years now, I haven't needed to remove the 2nd row seats out of the car yet. We probably will do ok with a smaller car, but for just a little over 30 grands, it can't be beat.
February 24, 2007, 11:15:23 pm
Some of what I've been looking at.
Honda Odyssey: 36.7 feet
Toyota Sienna: 36.8 feet
Honda Pilot: 38 feet
GMC Acadia: 40.4 feet
Mazda CX-9: 37.4 feet
Toyota RAV4 V6: 39.4 feet
Mazda5: 34.8 feet
February 25, 2007, 12:18:47 am
Some of what I've been looking at.
Honda Odyssey: 36.7 feet
Toyota Sienna: 36.8 feet
Honda Pilot: 38 feet
GMC Acadia: 40.4 feet
Mazda CX-9: 37.4 feet
Toyota RAV4 V6: 39.4 feet
Mazda5: 34.8 feet
And I got these numbers from http://www.canadiandriver.com/forum/index.php/topic,49396.msg336344.html#msg336344
According to a quick Google search, the current Sienna has a tc of 36.8',
the Quest 40' even,
Dodge Grand Caravan 39.4',
Pontiac Montana LWB 37.4',
Kia Sedona 41.0',
Honda Odyssey 36.7'
2002 Nissan Pathfinder the tc is 37.4'
February 25, 2007, 01:26:05 am
Some of what I've been looking at.
Honda Odyssey: 36.7 feet
Toyota Sienna: 36.8 feet
Honda Pilot: 38 feet
GMC Acadia: 40.4 feet
Mazda CX-9: 37.4 feet
Toyota RAV4 V6: 39.4 feet
Mazda5: 34.8 feet
That was my suspicion. Honda's too tangled with Toyota to let them win the turning radius test by a mile.
February 25, 2007, 01:31:33 am Sienna ...meh...I prefer Burnt orange.....
February 26, 2007, 10:20:34 am after looking @ Wing's Gym & hockey bags....ALL YER "feet" smell within a 30 foot radius..........Mazda 5 WINS Hands errr feet down....
February 26, 2007, 10:30:14 am Is Sienna used run-flat tires? So it doen't have spare tire, does it?
TSQ
February 26, 2007, 12:32:56 pm Saw The Pacifier with Vin Diesel (cue Brigitte) and they were rocketing around in a Toyota Sienna CE 8 passenger. Light blue, wheel covers, non-tinted windows. I was imagining Wing pulling the same manueuvers in his, except the AWD would probably keep the tire smoking down a bit
February 26, 2007, 12:50:54 pm
Did you mean to say that you saw a preview of it, not the entire movie?
February 26, 2007, 01:09:43 pm
Did you mean to say that you saw a preview of it, not the entire movie?
It's an older movie, on DVD. Touch of corny, but better than I expected.
February 26, 2007, 01:32:53 pm Can ya be MORE Pacific???
February 26, 2007, 09:55:05 pm 14.5L/100km...
Yeap...fuel efficiency really sucks big time, when I do a lot of freeways, I am still well over 13L/100km for the FWD CE8.
February 27, 2007, 07:57:07 am
TSQ
All awd Siennas use run-flats, as there is no room for the spare because of the awd hardware. The fwd XLE also has the same 17" run-flats, but I don't know if Toyota deletes the spare on that one.
These run-flats have generated some bad press. Besides being expensive, they wear out quickly. A new set runs near 1000 $ IIRC and you need one every 2 years. I'd skip the awd option because of this.
For those who need more info on the Sienna : www.siennaclub.org
February 27, 2007, 09:15:33 pm I've got a 2004 Sienna LE FWD with 92000 kilometers on it. There have been no issues to date with the engine or drive train. This was a huge factor that I considered when I bought my van. I also test drove the 2004 Honda Odyssey, and did like the power it had over the Sienna, but the recall that Honda had for the Odyssey’s 5-speed transmission at the time sealed my decision to buy the Sienna.
I’m wondering if the new 3.5-liter V6 in the 2007 Sienna has evened up the driving feel between these two rivals. The Odyssey felt like a really big "Civic” while my Sienna felt like a “Van”. You can feel the vehicle’s weight more in the Sienna.
I love the turning circle in my van. I’ve always made a U-turn without stopping. I’ve seen on SiennaClub.org that you can save thousand buying a Sienna/Toyota in the U.S. and have the options you want, and don’t want to pay for. It was all documented, including his hotel bills and airfare, and he still saved so much that I’m almost tempted; when I get my next vehicle.
February 28, 2007, 08:13:52 am
On paper, I was going for a Sienna in 2003. But driving the vans made me lean towards the Ody (I drove two Siennas and two Odysseys prior to buying at two different dealerships for both brands). A year later, as I posted above, I had the chance to take part in Car and Driver's minivan comparo, and spent 650 miles swapping between Ody, Sienna, Quest, GC and Freestar. The Toyota and Honda are really above the others, and all those miles confirmed that I had made the right choice for me. Both vans are winner, it juts depends on preferences.
February 28, 2007, 01:27:14 pm Wouldn't ya RATHER a CAYMAN.....