Test Drive: 2011 Toyota Sienna SE

[DKaz]

I test drove the Sienna SE, I generally liked it. It's no Mazda 5 in the handling department but it didn't complain too much either. All eight seats are comfortable and it's good on gas for a vehicle its size.

johngenx, I find you need a small second vehicle with the minivan... or moreso... the minivan is a second vehicle for when you need the space. Still, consider the 4 banger Sienna is more fuel efficient than my 2007 Mazda 5...

[JRM]

This "mini" van, as well as the others, isn't very mini.  Do they really need to be this big?  And the SE styling add ons look really goofy and out of place here. Then there's that shift lever on the dash. UGH!  To my eyes a compact/mid size wagon or CUV is much more appealing.

If you carrying 6 people how small do you want it to be 

How often would anyone be hauling 6 or more people?  On the rare occasion I have rented one for that purpose, but I would never own one.  Too big a foot print.

[Spec5]

LICK ME............... ...I'll type S    L   O  W  E  R  fer ya in November...ya know the Month after October

That would work for me!

Whats this - you picked up a Veloster?!

[allmango]

My compliments to Jill. Another great review that I enjoyed reading.

[airbalancer]

This "mini" van, as well as the others, isn't very mini.  Do they really need to be this big?  And the SE styling add ons look really goofy and out of place here. Then there's that shift lever on the dash. UGH!  To my eyes a compact/mid size wagon or CUV is much more appealing.

If you carrying 6 people how small do you want it to be 

How often would anyone be hauling 6 or more people?  On the rare occasion I have rented one for that purpose, but I would never own one.  Too big a foot print.

when my kids were home , It was 5 or 6 all the time 

[whaddaiknow]

The missus is really pushing for us to have something with 7-8 seats, and I get it, but I think she (and many people) overestimate the amount they'll sue all those seats.  I think we're going to end up with some vehicle that drags those seats around empty 99% of the time.

We use the first and second row seats 90% of the time. With 2 kids.
Now we have a 3rd one coming only a few weeks away. The oldest one will be moving back to the 3rd row (still plenty comfortable but I'd rather keep the car seats by the sliding doors in the 2nd row) and anything other than the minivan simply won't cut it anymore.

For now, the 3rd row is mostly folded and the space at the back is used for groceries and trips to Home Depot.
The 3rd row does go up when we go on a trip with extended family or friends and thus leave one extra vehicle parked at home.

Another neat "feature" and advantage of the minivan is, with the 3rd row folded, you can fit long and wide objects (like an interior door, or a large mirror) and use the 2nd row seats for additional support still leaving plenty of room for other luggage or 2 weeks worth of groceries.