2011 Toyota Sienna Pictures

2011 Toyota Sienna
2011 Toyota Sienna
2011 Toyota Sienna
2011 Toyota Sienna

While the market continues its current swing from giant SUVs to smaller crossover vehicles—only after moving from vans to those big SUVs—Toyota believes that the minivan market is poised for a comeback. With that in mind, the Japanese automaker rolled out its third-generation Sienna at the 2009 Los Angeles auto show.

Redesigned inside and out, Toyota promises the new Sienna has been reinvented with contemporary styling and a fun-to-drive spirit. A minivan that’s fun to drive, you ask? In an effort to make good on this promise, Toyota has created a new “sporty” SE model with a unique front fascia, side skirts, 19-inch wheels, smoked taillights, and a lowered, sport-tuned suspension. It will also feature unique gauges and interior colors for those racy moms and dads late for soccer practice.

2011 Honda Odyssey VS 2011 Toyota Sienna

Here's a quick review on two really good vans....

2010 Honda Odyssey gets its #1 Rating back

If I remember correctly this happened in 2004 as well, where the out going Odyssey was given the nod at top spot, if this isn't a testament to how advanced Honda makes their models when they first come out I don't know what is (I am thinking that this is the very reason for the Civic delay)....
Drivers who need to carry more than five people can choose from models of various types and sizes. There are conventional minivans, three-row SUVs, and so-called microvans, each with their own pros and cons. For this issue, we tested a new or recently updated model from each group. The results might be surprising.

Overall we were most impressed with the Mazda5 (available to subscribers) microvan, which scored an excellent 95 in our testing and earned a Top Pick in our April issue in the Family Hauler category. Despite its modest size, it is versatile and relatively roomy, with sliding rear doors, a small third-row seat, and seating for up to six. It also gets better gas mileage and is more agile and fun to drive than larger alternatives. A 2010 upgrade brought standard ESC.

If you need more room, especially in the third row, a minivan is a better choice. But while the redesigned Toyota Sienna (available to subscribers) is a very good vehicle, it doesn't measure up to the previous model, which had been our top-rated minivan for three years. The Sienna is still roomy and fuel efficient and has a smooth ride, but a drop in interior fit and finish and quietness, among other things, contributed to a drop in its overall test score from 93 to only 80 for the redesign (I didn't see this coming....). The Sienna remains the only minivan offering all-wheel drive, but that version also dropped in its test score for the same reasons. The six-year-old Honda Odyssey now leads the category. A resigned Odyssey is due out this fall.

Rounding out our group is the Ford Flex EcoBoost SUV (available to subscribers). The Flex employs the EcoBoost engine's turbocharging and direct fuel injection technology to optimize performance and fuel economy. That improvement boosted this version of the Flex to the top of its category, below only the Toyota Highlander Hybrid. While its boxy shape may not appeal to everyone, it helps give the Flex a very roomy and versatile interior with seating for up to seven. And like all car-based SUVs, the Flex is available with all-wheel drive.

Prices for the vehicles in this test group varied greatly: from $23,805 for the small Mazda5 to $46,720 for the Flex.

Only the Mazda5 is recommended. The Toyota Sienna and the Flex EcoBoost are too new for us to have reliability data.

Source;
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-archive/2010/september/cars/minivan-and-minivan-alternatives/overview/index.htm

2011 Toyota Sienna vs. 2010 Honda Odyssey Minivan Comparison

Here's a really good read comparing the brand new redesigned Toyota Sienna and the current (and about to be redesigned) Honda Odyssey, don't forget when reading this comparo, the Honda Odyssey hasn't really changed since 2005! - It's remarkable how well it still stacks up to the 2011 Sienna! Both are really nice vans....
Style and stigma be damned, this is a minivan test. A test of utility and usability. A test of family hauling and cargo carrying. A test where practicality overshadows pride. Specifically, it's a comparison test of the 2011 Toyota Sienna and 2010 Honda Odyssey, both vying to be recognized as the warrior queen of the minivan segment. And it's a test any real man should read with honor.

Though the minivan is an unpretentious standard of reference in family haulers, it is still the most practical vehicle in this role. Easier to drive than an SUV or a crossover, a minivan will not only carry more kids and cargo but also shame SUV-style competitors at the gas pump. Equipped with a reasonably powerful V6 engine, the minivan even offers a modest, although useful, towing capacity. Love them or hate them, there's no arguing with the minivan's cost/benefit ratio. Real men will acknowledge this, social stigma or not.

Both the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey have been winners in our previous Inside Line minivan comparison tests. The current-generation Odyssey has prevailed in these comparisons for more than three years, although this five-year-old design from Honda is due for replacement next year. Meanwhile, the fully redesigned 2011 Toyota Sienna has come to the market with a barrage of features, a new transmission and a kickass, take-no-prisoners attitude. OK, we fabricated that last bit to keep the men reading, but even a glance at the new Sienna makes it obvious that Toyota has Honda directly in its sights.

Sorting out which of these minivans is best is the role of our scoring system, which weights the final result according to price (20 percent), fuel consumption (15 percent), feature content (25 percent), a 29-point evaluation by the editors (20 percent), performance (15 percent) and finally editorial preference (5 percent).

The Players
Both vans in this test are top-of-the-line, front-wheel-drive examples. This 2010 Honda Odyssey is a Touring model, which comes with standard equipment that includes eight-passenger seating, leather seat upholstery, a navigation system, a premium audio system, rear-seat entertainment and much, much more. It also comes with an as-tested price of $41,465.

The list of standard equipment in the 2011 Toyota Sienna Limited is more impressive. Among its features are 18-inch tires, keyless ignition/entry, a JBL 10-speaker premium audio system and Toyota's Safety Connect telematics. This particular Limited also came with the $1,800 Limited Convenience package, which adds rain-sensing wipers and high-intensity-discharge headlamps. It includes the $890 Advanced Technology package, which brings adaptive cruise control, a pre-collision preparedness system and hill-assist control. These amenities raise the Sienna's as-tested price to $41,990, some $525 more than the Odyssey. But from a price standpoint this is a fair fight.

In truth, both these vans are as laden with features as most luxury cars. In fact, each carries such a comprehensive list of features that we found it difficult to differentiate one from the other. For example, the list of features common to both includes such elaborate convenience items as triple-zone climate control, power liftgate, back-up camera and sensors, multiadjustable power seats with memory and hands-free Bluetooth connectivity.

By the Numbers
When it comes to the shadow these two eight-passenger vehicles cast on the pavement, the dimensional differences don't make much of a difference. Surprisingly, the older 2010 Honda Odyssey is the longer overall of the two by 1.9 inches (and here we thought all new cars were getting bigger). When it comes to wheelbase, however, the Sienna's 119.3-inch measurement exceeds the Odyssey's 118.1 inches. And even though it has more features, the Sienna weighs less than the Odyssey, some 4,586 pounds versus 4,612 pounds.

Not that anyone who buys one will care too much, but both the Odyssey and Sienna are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine. Honda rates its power plant at 244 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and 245 pound-feet of torque at 4,900 rpm, and the Odyssey utilizes a five-speed automatic transmission to put that power to the ground. The Sienna's V6 (a four cylinder is optional) cranks out more power than the Honda with 265 hp at 6,200 rpm and 245 lb-ft of torque at 4,700 rpm. A new six-speed automatic with a manual-shift feature is standard for the Sienna.

The Seating ShowdownHere's where this test is won or lost. It's in these details that the soccer moms of the world decide the fate of the minivan. And it's here where the aging Honda still holds its own.


Largely, this is because the Odyssey's interior design has so much space-efficiency and practicality that its utility hasn't been surpassed by any important advances in vehicle architecture. Eight-passenger seating capacity isn't unique to the Odyssey (the Sienna offers it as an option), yet we've found that it offers a small but useful margin of utility for occasional duty. The center seat in the second row is small, but it quickly transforms into a center console with cupholders or can be removed to make pass-through space between the seats.

The 2010 Honda Odyssey's lightweight, simple-to-remove second-row seats also offer a measure of utility unavailable in the Sienna Limited. With the center seat/console removed, they can slide together to improve ease of access to the third row through the passenger-side door. They weigh 62 pounds each and can be removed by anybody with a reasonably strong back.

In contrast, the 2011 Toyota Sienna Limited comes standard with second-row "lounge seating," which means that its two second-row seats are reclining captain's chairs with footrests that extend. These recliners were comfortable, but you have to be the right size, and any of our editors taller than 5-foot-9 disdained them. If you're a little too big, then you find your shoes resting against the front seatbacks, and if you're really big, your feet just won't fit anywhere at all.

Still, the Sienna's seats are mounted on sliders in the floor, so they can be moved very far forward to provide easy access to the third row. At the same time, we found that doing so requires so much effort that it probably can't be done by a child. These seats also weigh 76 pounds each — enough to probably preclude their removal unless you're desperate.

B-List SeatingThe third-row seats in both the Odyssey and Sienna vans are split 60/40 and fold flat into the floor. When the seats were deployed, we found the Sienna's third-row legroom more accommodating than the Odyssey partially because its second-row seats have a long range of fore/aft adjustability and partially because there's simply more space.

Folding these third-row seats into the floor is a very different procedure in each of these vans. In the Odyssey the act requires a two-handed reach-and-pull technique and significant effort. Even an average-size male has to lean far into the van and pull the seats upright, which is a bit of a balancing act. Still, only about 4 seconds are required to drop one side of the seat into the floor.

The Sienna's power-operated third row deploys in 18 seconds, although you have to reach up to the top of the hatch where the button is and then hold it down. It takes just 11 seconds to stow one side of the split seat, and double that time or use both hands if you want both sides stowed. Anyone dealing with children will likely prefer this power-operated feature over the Honda's manual operation, so score one for Toyota.

Other back-of-the van observations? Both the Odyssey and the Sienna have a power-operated hatch that opens in about 7 seconds and closes in about 10 seconds, both have 12-volt outlets in the rear cargo area and both offer six grocery bag hooks in the seat-well cargo hold.

Practical Matters
If you don't like beeps, then stay as far from the 2011 Toyota Sienna as possible. It beeps any time a power-operated door is opened or closed. It beeps when the seats are stowed or deployed. And it beeps should its driver dare to maneuver remotely near anything while parking. There's also a delay when you remotely open its side and hatch doors, as if it's asking, "Are you sure?" We were sure every time.

Meanwhile, the Sienna's modern interior design is welcome. Large, easy-to-read and intuitively arranged buttons scored points over the Odyssey's older design.
Both vans offer an immense amount of interior storage. The Odyssey's dual door pockets seem like an ideal design in a vehicle with such vast interior space and the possibility of carrying so many people and their stuff. The Odyssey also scores for its storage bin in the second-row footwell, a concealed compartment that can keep large items (like a purse) out of sight. But the Sienna fought back with massive glovebox space, something the Odyssey lacks.

By virtue of an exterior design that has a lower waistline, the 2010 Honda Odyssey offers better visibility front and rear. Its materials look slightly dated, but they compare well with the Toyota Limited's use of fake wood trim. We doubt it's a coincidence that the small fitment defects we saw in this pre-production Sienna were the same as those we've seen in production Toyotas.

Behind the WheelToyota has changed its approach to ride quality in the Sienna compared to the other family-oriented vehicles in its product lineup. It doesn't float down the highway and instead stays settled on the road, and the result inspires far more confidence. But don't get us wrong, there's still a huge emphasis on comfort, something we found agreeable except when rolling across the sort of choppy concrete slabs you find on overused freeways, especially here in California. Despite its long wheelbase, the Sienna's ride is too busy over such surfaces.

For all the Sienna's newfound emphasis on driving dynamics, the Honda Odyssey remains the leader when it comes to the way a minivan should drive. Though the Odyssey is massive, it still drives like a car in a way that no other manufacturer can achieve. There's a sublime balance between comfort and just enough control to feel safe and reassured. Honda has nailed the subtleties.

Of these two minivans, only the 2011 Toyota Sienna has a gated lever for its six-speed transmission, something that lets you more precisely control engine braking, which is very useful in a vehicle that's likely to be driven while heavily loaded.

PerformanceThe Sienna V6's extra 20 ponies turn up in full force in acceleration tests, where Toyota's minivan scoots to 60 mph from a standstill in only 7.9 seconds (7.6 seconds with 1 foot of rollout like on a drag strip). The quarter-mile is also dispatched quickly, some 15.8 seconds at 90.5 mph. This performance is considerably quicker than that of the Odyssey, which requires 8.8 seconds to reach 60 mph (8.5 seconds with 1 foot of rollout like on a drag strip) and goes through the quarter-mile in 16.6 seconds at 84.8 mph.

The braking distance required to stop from 60 mph is much the same for these two minivans, with the Toyota coming to a stop in 127 feet, some 3 feet shorter than the Odyssey. The real story, however, isn't that the Sienna stopped shorter. Rather, it's that after only four stops the Odyssey's brake pedal went soft and stopping distances began to increase. In fact, the Odyssey's brake pedal action subsequently became so soft that it dramatically compromised effectiveness. If driving on mountain roads is a common experience for you, the Toyota Sienna's braking performance should sway you.

What the 2010 Honda Odyssey lacks in straight-line gusto it makes up for through our 600-foot slalom course. Its fastest run of 61.7 mph is 1.1 mph faster than the Sienna, which has a very aggressive calibration for its stability control system. More important, the Honda's conventional hydraulic-assist power steering proves well weighted in its effort level and offers intuitive action and feel, while the Sienna's electric-assist system makes the steering feel numb, particularly off-center where it lacks feedback.

Neither van allowed its stability control to be fully disabled — a trait that was most obvious on the skid pad. Here the Toyota's larger 18-inch tires helped it produce 0.77g in lateral acceleration versus the Odyssey's 0.74g performance.

Fuel consumption was a virtual wash between the two. Over the course of more than 1,000 miles, the Sienna nudged the Odyssey by an insignificant 0.1 mpg, 20.5 mpg versus 20.6 mpg.
You Can't LoseBoth these vans are immensely capable and neither exhibits any significant shortcomings. In other words, you'll be making a solid choice with either one. But there can only be one winner. And in this case, it's the 2011 Toyota Sienna.

There's no arguing with the Sienna Limited's high-value features when one considers the relatively minor $525 premium you'll pay for them. Most of these — like iPod integration, adaptive cruise control and keyless ignition/entry — are just examples of the latest convenience technology and will likely be available on the new 2011 Honda Odyssey next year. The quality of the Sienna's interior isn't as nice as we'd like, but what it lacks in materials quality it more than makes up for in design. Then there's the fact that the 2011 Toyota Sienna has a power advantage over the 2010 Honda Odyssey, yet still matches the Honda's fuel-efficiency.

Though it might not be the vehicle of every man's dreams, the 2011 Toyota Sienna is simply the best value in minivans sold today. At least until next year. (2011 redesigned Honda Odyssey!)

The manufacturers provided Edmunds these vehicles for the purposes of evaluation.

Source;
http://www.insideline.com/toyota/sienna/2011/2011-toyota-sienna-vs-2010-honda-odyssey-minivan-comparison.html

Toyota Introduces All-New 2011 Toyota Sienna Minivan

Nice van, I can't wait until details for the next generation Honda Odyssey start leaking out....
• Includes Sienna’s First Four-Cylinder and All-New SE Grade
• Seven Standard Airbags and Available Pre-Collision System
• Complete Redesign Adds Contemporary Styling and More Interior Space

DANA POINT, Calif. - -Since 1997 the Toyota Sienna has been well known as a transportation solution for moving people and cargo comfortably and efficiently. The all-new third-generation Sienna will look and drive more like a sedan, conform to new ideas about personal comfort, easily accommodate cargo, and handle big loads.

The 2011 Sienna has been completely redesigned to handle these needs as it shifts to a more expressive and dynamic vehicle with a stronger profile, high shoulder character and responsive handling. With state-of the art features and rewarding driving dynamics, it is a vehicle that current minivan, passenger car and sport utility vehicle owners will find satisfying to drive. Sienna will offer new models, including a sporty SE and a four-cylinder powertrain, as it continues to be the only minivan with an all-wheel-drive option.

“The all-new Sienna is an example of Toyota’s commitment to lead the marketplace as it anticipates consumers’ needs and changes in lifestyle,” said Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager, Toyota Division, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. “The third-generation Sienna combines a contemporary style with features not previously seen in a minivan, and a fun-to-drive spirit that will surprise many, along with the flexibility, spaciousness and features that have defined the segment.”

The Sienna was designed by Toyota’s Calty Design Research and developed at Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Mich., with assembly being accomplished at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana.

Visually Intriguing
The Sienna has a distinctly new visual direction and features. The sportier profile is complemented with distinctive window shapes and a deliberately hidden door slider within the window graphic.

The strong high shoulder and distinct fender flares visually emphasize the wheels. Dimensionally, the new Sienna rides on the same wheelbase as the prior generation, but it is wider and slightly shorter overall.

The front has a bold design. Sophisticated headlamps angled higher than the grille lends a confident front presence. The sculpted rear corner separates the Sienna from boxy minivans as it surrounds the functional yet elegant LED taillights.

The interior features upscale quality and elegance, yet every element is logical and functional. The distinctive swept shape of the IP creates the perception of increased personal space for both driver and passenger. Sleek seat designs add flexibility and roominess, while central climate and audio controls are integrated into a single graphic element.

Overall, the new Sienna has a sportier, classier appearance. A Cd of 0.306 is the result of careful design work and is a contributing factor in maintaining a quiet cabin and providing surprising fuel economy.

Power, Plus EfficiencyA choice of two responsive DOHC engines will be available: a 3.5-liter V6 or 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine. Both engines offer the latest in efficient, lightweight technology, including Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i), roller rocker arms and an Acoustically Controlled Induction System (ACIS) that changes the length of the air-intake pipe to supply more torque on demand.

The 3.5-liter V6 generates 266 horsepower at 6,200 rpm, with expected EPA-estimated mileage ratings of 18 mpg city/24 mpg highway (16 mpg city/22 mpg highway on AWD models). It also has a 3,500-pound towing capacity. A four-cylinder engine will be offered for the first time in the Sienna. With 187 horsepower at 5,800 rpm, the 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine produces responsive power that exceeds some competitors V6 performance, while delivering expected EPA-estimated fuel efficiency ratings of 19 mpg city and 26 mpg on the highway.

Both engines are matched with Sienna’s first state-of-the-art, electronically controlled six-speed transmission with sequential shift that provides smooth gear-shift feeling, quiet performance and a lightweight, compact size.

The suspension uses front MacPherson struts, combined with rack-and pinion steering for smooth, linear steering feel. Electronic Power Steering (EPS) and a wider stance helps deliver a more solid direct on-road feel. Aerodynamic under-body parts also contribute to Sienna’s dynamic performance.

Models and Features
The Sienna will come in five grades: Sienna grade, LE, SE, XLE and Limited. All-wheel-drive is available with the V6 on LE, XLE and Limited models. All others are front-wheel drive.

The Sienna and LE grades are available with either the 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine or the 3.5-liter V6. The value-driven Sienna grade and popular LE are equipped with an array of standard features that include: cruise control, Daytime Running Lights with manual on/off feature, tri-zone air conditioning, six- or eight-way-adjustable driver’s captain’s chair, power windows with auto up/down and jam protection, AM/FM CD player with four speakers, XM compatibility, auxiliary jack, power door locks, remote keyless entry, and three 12V outlets, among other amenities.

The LE V6 model is upgraded with even more standard features including dual power-sliding doors and power rear door, an eight-way power driver seat with power lumbar support, electrochromatic rearview mirror with Homelink™, multi-information display with backup camera, rear window sunshades, AM/FM/MP3 CD player, integrated XM® satellite radio (subscription required), auxiliary audio jack, USB port with iPod® connectivity, and hands-free phone capability and music streaming via Bluetooth® wireless technology, and steering wheel audio controls. These features can be added to the four-cylinder model as an optional package.

The XLE builds on the LE, adding features such as leather-trimmed seats, moonroof, an anti-theft system with engine immobilizer, and heated front seats. Select optional XLE equipment includes a 10-speaker JBL® premium sound system with voice-activated DVD Navigation and Panorama rear camera with integrated back-up guides, XM® NavTraffic (subscription required), rear-seat Dual View Entertainment system, rear sonar, Smart Key, and an auxiliary audio jack and USB port with iPod® connectivity.

The Limited is designed for customers who want all the features with more luxury. The standard equipment list is extensive, including new second-row Lounge Seating and a power 60/40 Split & Stow third-row seat, front and rear parking sonar, dual moonroof, Smart Key that also operates on both sliding doors (an industry-first), Safety Connect™, and North America’s first independently powered, slide opening dual moonroofs. Select options include those available on the XLE plus HID auto high-beam auto-high beam headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, and Pre-Collision System (PCS) with Dynamic Radar Cruise Control.

New Sporty SE
Every Sienna will ride well and track cleanly through corners, but none more so than the newest addition to the line: the sporty SE.

The SE is designed for those who appreciate an even sportier design with responsive performance. The front has a more aggressive appearance. The side skirting visually lowers the vehicle and smoked taillights make a distinctive statement. Aerodynamic sculpting hugs the standard 19-inch alloy wheels. The SE sits lower, on a sport-tuned suspension for quicker feedback and better handling, and it comes with exclusive instrumentation and unique interior colors and trim.

Comfort Remains Key
The cabin of the new Sienna blends options for more individual space and better cargo capacity.

The interior is more than two inches longer, and the seats now have longer ranges of travel, making it possible to comfortably accommodate a wider range of heights and sizes.

The front seats have more rearward travel, and the steering wheel has a less upright position, so the driver can adopt a comfortable driving posture. The instruments and controls are clear and concise, and the greater cabin width helps create extended personal space for both driver and front passenger.

Numerous storage bins, cupholders and cargo spaces have been strategically placed in convenient locations. A conversation mirror, integrated into the sunglass case in the overhead console, allows visual contact with rear seat passengers.

Throughout the cabin, there is an open field of view to create an airy, roomy ambiance. With wider fields of vision, rearmost passengers can see forward more easily.

Both seven- and eight-seat cabins can be configured for a full contingent of passengers, a load of cargo, or a convenient mix of both. In seven-seat cabins, the second row captain chairs slide 23 inches, moving to the rear to create legroom for the tallest passengers and easier ingress and egress. They can be moved forward close to the front seats to make it easy to care for a child passenger, while also allowing easy access for third-row passengers.

A sliding center console on the XLE all-wheel-drive and Limited grades can be shared between the front seats and second row passengers. The illuminated console slides into the second row area to provide convenient access for both rows, so the need for storage and passenger comfort can be equally served.

For even more passenger comfort, there is standard second-row Lounge Seating on the Limited grade, which includes leg and foot support. Second-row captain chairs on all grades have dual armrests, and a one-motion release mechanism in case the seat needs to be removed.

On eight-passenger models the second row seats offer added versatility and convenience. The second-row center seat can be removed and stowed in the left side of the rear-storage area. When the center seat is stowed, a cupholder and storage tray is revealed. The eight-passenger interior can easily be converted for seven passengers, and quickly reconfigured back for eight.

The second-row seats also feature a Tip Up and Long Slide feature, allowing them to slide forward and back on extended rails, making more room for people or cargo. All second row seats, regardless of configuration, move out of the way with one touch to gain easy access to the third row seats.

The 60/40 Split and Stow third-row seat folds flat with one motion, with the Limited front-wheel drive receiving a power feature. The third row has been moved about two inches rearward for enhanced comfort. With the third-row seat in use, there is enough storage for five golf bags or four large suitcases. Four handy grocery hooks, with two in the back and two in the second row seatbacks, add storage convenience.

It is easier than ever to load the Sienna, thanks to wider doors and one-touch second-row seats. By sliding the second-row seats all the way to the rear, a walk-in aisle is created, making it easier to enter, exit, install a child seat, or place a child in a seat. The second-row seats can be moved forward, behind the front row, to maximize rear cargo capacity, especially with the third-row stowed flat.

With the third row seat stowed and the second row seat removed, the cargo area is approximately eight feet long and four feet wide. The wide back door opening and low floor height make loading and unloading easy.

A cabin air filter is standard along with an air-conditioning system that controls the temperature of three separate zones.

Innovative Technologies
A rear-seat Dual View Entertainment Center is a first for North America. It is an innovative option that uses two displays side-by-side to create a seamless 16.4-inch widescreen image from a single source. When two separate entertainment options are called for, the system can split the screen into two individual screens, each with input from separate sources. Used as a single screen, it can be easily seen from the third row, and it can be operated from any seat via remote control. Used as two screens, the system can accommodate the preferences of two separate passengers who might want to play a video game or watch a second DVD simultaneously via auxiliary inputs.

Other technological upgrades include the world’s first Panorama Camera rear monitor with a 180-degree view, and on-screen back-up guides to that help drivers to back into parking spots or driveways.

Safety for All (hmmm, where'd they get that from?!?)
The Star Safety SystemTM, which includes Anti-lock Brakes (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), and Traction Control (TRAC), is standard on all Sienna models. Enhanced VSC coordinates the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist with Traction Control (TRAC) and Electric Power Steering (EPS), to help provide a the driver a better-integrated, controlled vehicle in the event of an emergency maneuver.

A Pre-Collision System (PCS) with pre-collision seatbelt system is an available option on Limited, as is the latest in advanced vehicle control technology: Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM). The VDIM system coordinates brake control with engine output and steering inputs, allowing all the control and safety systems to cooperate seamlessly. Unlike reactive traction systems, VDIM operates proactively. During normal driving, the system works smoothly to enhance control even before the vehicle reaches its limits.

Seven airbags are standard equipment, including dual-stage front and seat-mounted side airbags for driver and front passenger, plus a new segment-first driver’s side knee airbag. Side curtain airbags cover the length of the cabin, from the front seats to the third row. Active headrests are used in both front seats to help reduce the possibility of whiplash in a collision.

The new Safety Connect™ telematics system is standard on Limited and optional on XLE. Safety Connect offers four safety and security features: Automatic Collision Notification, Stolen Vehicle Location, Emergency Assistance Button (SOS), and Roadside Assistance. A complimentary one-year trial subscription is included.

In case of airbag deployment or severe rear-end collision, Automatic Collision Notification is designed to automatically call a response center. If a response agent cannot communicate with the occupants, the agent can contact the nearest emergency-services provider to dispatch assistance.

Pushing the in-vehicle “SOS” button allows drivers to reach the response center to request help in an emergency as well as for a wide range of roadside assistance needs. If a Sienna equipped with Safety Connect is stolen, agents can work with local authorities to help locate and recover the vehicle.

Color and Trim
Sienna will be available in 10 exterior colors including two new colors, Pre-Dawn Gray Mica and South Pacific Pearl. Additional colors include Super White, Blizzard Pearl, Silver Sky Metallic, Black, Salsa Red Pearl, Sandy Beach Metallic, and Cypress Pearl. They will be mated to two interior colors, Light Gray and Bisque that will be available in both fabric and leather. The SE grade will offer a unique Charcoal fabric and leatherette interior with contrasting stitching.

Limited Warranty
Toyota’s 36-month/36,000 mile basic new-vehicle warranty applies to all components other than normal wear and maintenance items. Additional 60-month warranties cover powertrain for 60,000 miles and corrosion with no mileage limitation. Toyota dealers have complete details on the limited warranty.

The all-new 2011 Sienna will begin arriving at Toyota dealerships nationally in February 2010 with the SE and four-cylinder-equipped models going on sale in April.

Source;
http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6083367512949069458

The First Look at the 2011 Toyota Sienna

More technology, comfort, and economy than ever before
Although many automakers have pulled the plug on their minivan programs, Toyota says the market for family haulers is primed for a rebound. To that end, Toyota released its third-generation 2011 Toyota Sienna at the Los Angeles Auto Show today that it expects to appeal to those who grew up with the vans either as children or as parents -- namely today's Gen-Xers and empty-nesters. Packing more technology, comfort, and economy than ever before, Toyota believes its new Sienna is well-positioned to become the minivan of choice in a segment with fewer choices than ever.

Designed in Southern California and engineered in Michigan, the very-American 2011 Sienna will offer a choice of two engines when it launches next year, the initial offering being the same 266-hp 3.5L V-6 as is available in the current Sienna. Later in the launch period, Toyota will also offer a 187-hp 2.7L I-4, the same engine that's currently available in the Toyota Venza (and is holding a 50% take-rate in that model, according to execs). Toyota expects EPA ratings to increase slightly for the four-cylinder-equipped models, rising from 18/24 mpg city/highway with the front-drive V-6, to 19/26 mpg city/highway with the four. Both engines will arrive with a six-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift mode. All-wheel drive -- a segment exclusive according to Toyota -- continues as an option for the new model, and towing capacity with the V-6 is an SUV-like 3500 lbs.

Toyota has made efforts to push the feel and layout of its minivan upmarket, and the effort shows in some of the Sienna's luxury and technological features. A Dual View Entertainment Center makes its debut on the 2011 Sienna, offering the choice of displaying a single source in 16.4-in. widescreen movie format, or two separate sources, each occupying half of the screen. Additionally, a Panorama Camera rear monitor gives two views behind the Sienna, allowing for a full 180-degree view as well as on-screen back-up guides.

Meanwhile, concessions are made to passenger comfort with additional storage bins, cupholders, and cargo spaces, all strategically placed for maximum benefit. Designers strived to maintain an open field of view throughout the cabin, giving a light, airy feeling to the interior, while improving visibility for all passengers. The cabin is configurable for seven-, or optionally, eight-person seating and in the former, the second-row captain's chairs allow for 23-in. of forward mobility, enhancing third-row legroom substantially. New to the top-flight Limited trim level is standard second-row Lounge Seating that includes leather seats with retractable built-in ottomans. Flagship Limited Sienna models also receive a power 60/40 split third-row folding seat, front and rear parking sonar, and a dual moonroof.

Toyota also catered to a special group of minivan buyers with the 2011 Sienna -- the ones that really wanted to buy a sports car, but needed the practicality of a van. For that market, Toyota created the Sienna SE. With a more aggressive looking front fascia, aerodynamic side skirts that also visually lower the vehicle, 19-in. alloy wheels (an SE exclusive), a sports-tuned suspension, and smoked tail lamps.

Three other trim levels are available including Sienna grade and LE -- the two bottom-most trims -- and XLE, which slots in beneath Limited. If you want the four-cylinder engine, however, you'll have to opt for the first two trim levels -- the SE, XLE, and Limited are available with the V-6 only.

The Sienna is set to hit U.S. Toyota showrooms in February 2010, with pricing to be announced closer to the on-sale date.

Source;
http://www.trucktrend.com/roadtests/van/163_0912_2011_toyota_sienna_first_look/index.html

2011 Toyota Sienna Pictures

Well, here are some pic's of the 2011 Toyota Sienna, looks nicer than the existing van.

Source;
www.burlappcars.com/2009/12/2011-toyota-sienna.html

LA Preview: Toyota set to debut 2011 Sienna minivan

Soccer moms, NASCAR dads and empty-nesters rejoice! It looks like Toyota is going to debut its 2011 Sienna minivan in Cali next month at the 2009 LA Auto Show. Although the minivan market doesn't get a lot of playtime on enthusiast websites, the segment remains an important (if shrinking) one for full-line manufacturers. While Toyota's past minivans have ranged from the bizarrely interesting (Previa) to the drab but competent (current Sienna), word has it Toyota plans to introduce a van that will once again make it the segment's top choice.

No specifics have been released, but we've previously heard that the new Sienna would be shifting to the MC platform that Toyota uses for the Camry, Highlander, RAV4, Venza and even the Prius. Personally we're hoping for a lower, wider, luxury vehicle with an available hybrid model. That, or something like the JDM Alphard/Vellfire we saw at SEMA. We'll have all the details and a bunch of live shots on December 2 when we see it at the Los Angeles Convention Center, but in the meantime.

[Source: Toyota]

PRESS RELEASE:All-New Third-Generation Toyota Sienna to Make World Debut at 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show

TORRANCE, Calif., November 9, 2009 - - Toyota will stage the world premiere of the all-new 2011 Sienna minivan at a press conference at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show.The press conference will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 10:35 a.m. at the Toyota exhibit space in the South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center. A video clip of the press conference will be available for viewing following the event on the Toyota.com website.

Source;
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/la-preview-toyota-set-to-debut-2011-sienna-minivan/#continued

2011 Toyota Sienna Spied again!

Uh oh. I hear foot steps....





Earlier this year our spy photographers spotted “test mules” of the next-generation Sienna minivan. While most of the sheet metal was from the current Sienna body, it had been heavily modified around the hood, front fender and the entire rear quarter panel – making room for the new chassis underneath.

There was good reason for all this hacking; a new chassis is underneath. For the 2011MY, the Sienna will join the Camry, Prius, Rav4, Venza, Highlander and many more on Toyota’s ultra-flexible “MC” platform.

However, these newest photos appear to be an early running prototype – which explains the yards of camouflage covering every inch of the sheetmetal. Unfortunately our shooter was caught off-guard with the sudden appearance of a Toyota convoy and only had time to grab his cell phone/camera – but “some pictures are better than no pictures.”

While the final styling remains a mystery, some cues from the 2006 Toyota F3R concept may make it into production. Production of the ‘11 Sienna will start in January of 2010 at Toyota’s Princeton, Indian plant — the plant formerly charged with Tundra production.

Source;
http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6083367512949069458

Odyssey Competitor: Spy Shots: 2011 Toyota Sienna performs platform shuffle

The Toyota Sienna minivan already shares a lot of the Camry's yeoman components, and for 2011 the two vehicles are going to converge even more. A mule's been snapped by The Detroit News' sharpshooters, and it doesn't look too different from the van you can buy in your local Toyota showroom. Don't be deceived, though. Toyota's simmering away on the next Sienna, with plans to move its all-conquering van to the MC platform that Toyota uses for the Camry, Highlander, RAV4, Venza and even the Prius. Platform engineering doesn't have to stink, and it's going to save Toyota money to build so much of its line-up off the same basic list of ingredients. New styling, or at least a revision, should be expected to ride atop the newly appropriated bones when the updated Sienna drops. We're guessing it'll look pretty much like a box with a Toyota-family nose, though the F3R concept has been mentioned as a potential look, so who knows?

Source;
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/06/spy-shots-2011-toyota-sienna-performs-platform-shuffle/

Next Gen 2011 Toyota Sienna Spied

The next Sienna is planned for a debut sometime this fall with sales following in 2010 and it's going to be bringing the heat. It will wear styling borrowed from the Camry and the 2010 Prius, but it's more the inside which will cause heartburn to the competitors with rumored features in the top-shelf model like Lay-Z-Boy-style reclining captains chairs complete with leg rests as well as a novel, extra-wide single video screen. Think of it like a 20:9 aspect ratio television screen, and the suspicion is the unit will run two video sources simultaneously. Should be interesting to see how it goes up against Chrysler's bread-and-butter minivans, one of the few product lines we're positive someone would snap up if Cerberus decides to chop Chrysler up and sell off the pieces. (Thanks for the pics Brian)

Source;
http://jalopnik.com/5215216/2011-toyota-sienna-first-egg+shaped-look