A Year Ahead of Its Time
A first look at the redesigned 2011 Toyota Sienna.
Redesigned for the 2011 model year, Toyota’s latest incarnation of the celebrated Sienna minivan promises to bring a whole new level of style, sophistication and enjoyment to the segment. More advanced than any preceding it, the 2011 Sienna is nearly a full model year ahead of its time, and several ahead of its competition.
The 2011 Sienna injects a healthy dose of style into a predominantly vanilla vehicle genre. Designed to strike a balance between sleek sophistication and modern athleticism, the newest iteration of Toyota’s versatile mini is visually striking, and instantly appealing (and not only to expanding families). Toyota’s latest introduces thicker, broader shoulders, more muscular wheel arches and a redesigned face more in line with the company’s groundbreaking Venza crossover.
The boxy, boring styling of the conventional minivan gives way to sporty, aerodynamic lines and features. Up front, the aggressive new face is characterized by a sleek chrome grille and flanking wraparound high-intensity headlamps. A black mesh grille sits beneath the chrome wings of the redesigned nose, as do a pair of available foglamps. The vehicle itself, with simple, fluid lines extending back from the hood, sits on a powerful foundation of optional 19-inch super chrome alloys and culminates in a nicely tailored backend and elegant LED taillamps.
To ensure that the new Sienna is more than athletically styled, Toyota has integrated a pair of impressive engines beneath the unique and beautifully sculpted hood of its newest introduction. A standard 2.7-liter DOHC four-cylinder delivers 187 hp through an electronically controlled six-speed automatic transmission. Higher models feature the surprising power of a robust 3.5-liter V6 that generates an impressive 266 hp through the company’s new, smooth-shifting six-speed automatic. Cleanliness and efficiency are greatly emphasized on the latest Sienna, as fuel efficiency in the new Toyota touches up to 26 mpg.
An advanced MacPherson strut suspension coupled with a series of intelligent steering systems gives the 2011 Sienna a supremely confident and powerfully capable ride. With everything from stability and traction control to powerful antilock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution (all elements in Toyota’s Star Safety System™), the newest Sienna is designed to respond admirably and handle brilliantly. Its unique setup and available all-wheel drive ensure all-season confidence and capability without sacrificing a sense of driving enjoyment all too often abandoned in the minivan.
With seating for up to eight, Sienna’s cabin is awash with comfort and luxury. Beneath the flooding light of two available moonroofs, the latest Toyota is larger inside than ever before, opening up even more passenger and cargo space. Available heated leather seating is both exceedingly comfortable and exceptionally versatile, as the vehicle’s three rows slide easily and are removable and configurable. Third-row seats fold flat for additional storage while available second-row captains’ chairs feature optional lounge seating with additional leg and foot support.
Like its redesigned exterior, the cabin of the new Sienna features modern styling and enhanced sophistication. Sleek lines, available wood trim on the dash and steering wheel and intuitive controls and storage options give the vehicle’s interior a sense of supreme elegance while available Bluetooth communication, a DVD navigation screen (with backup camera) and a rear-seat dual-view entertainment system make it more technologically advanced than ever before. An available JBL® premium audio system features 10 speakers and unparalleled interior acoustics.
Beyond the intuitive control and confidence of the Star Safety System™, Toyota’s latest features an impressive list of dynamic and intelligent safety systems. An advanced optional Pre-Collision System and a Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management setup allow the Sienna to actively prepare itself for a collision, or work to prevent one in the first place. Seven standard airbags and a reinforced body frame add an exceptional level of interior protection, and Toyota’s new Safety Connect™ system provides emergency roadside assistance at the touch of a button.
The new 2011 Toyota Sienna is due to arrive this month.