by Paul Williams
Photo Gallery: 2007 Toyota Sienna
 Photo: Greg Wilson. Minivan Challenge vehicle not exactly as shown. Click image to enlarge |
Toyota has refined the style of its Sienna family van with each successive generation (it was introduced as a 1998 model; much smaller than it is now). The Sienna has evolved into a state-of-the-art van with a wide price range from $31,200 for the base CE to well over $50,000 for the all-wheel drive XLE model with options. All Siennas (CE, LE, XLE) are seven-passenger vehicles, except for one of the LE models which provides seating for eight with its second row 40/20/40 seat. The $37,100 eight-passenger version also allows you to pull the second row seat closer to the front seats, which can be helpful when attending to a baby or child.
Dave and Carolyn will be driving the LE, which starts at $36,680. Like all 2007 Siennas, it is powered with a 3.5-litre V6 engine that makes 266 horsepower and 245 pounds-feet of torque. This engine is new to the Sienna for 2007, replacing the 3.3-litre powerplant from 2006, and adding a considerable 51 hp in the process.
Like the Hyundai Entourage that Dave and Carolyn recently returned, the Sienna is a big vehicle. However, it is slightly shorter (25 millimetres) and lighter than the Entourage, weighing in at 1,880 kilograms for the front-wheel drive models, versus the Entourage at 1,996 kg. Fuel economy is rated at 11.7/8.1 L/100 km versus 13.2/8.8 L/100 km for of the Entourage.
Safety equipment in all Siennas includes standard side curtain airbags and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution.
 Photo: Greg Wilson. Minivan Challenge vehicle not exactly as shown. Click image to enlarge |
Complementing its active safety features, the body of the Sienna features special construction of the front frame fails and three-point engine mounts to protect against the energy of a frontal collision. Side impact protection is optimized with high strength fender and door panels and reinforcements around the B-pillars. There are also bows across the roof and transverse members below. Deployment of the driver’s side airbag is managed by a sensor that factors the position of the seat, and front seatbelts are equipped with pretensioners and force limiters. The Sienna is highly ranked with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for crash safety, receiving five stars for passenger, front seat and rear seat occupants, and four stars for driver and rollover.
Sienna’s five-speed, electronically controlled automatic transmission (ECT) manages shift decisions based on engine speed and load. This transmission also self-adjusts for wear, in order to retain crisp and accurate shifting over time.
 Photo: Greg Wilson. Minivan Challenge vehicle not exactly as shown. Click image to enlarge |
Front and rear air conditioning is also standard, as are power windows, doors, locks, configurable centre row seating, and a rear bench seat that folds into the floor. Cargo and passenger areas are equipped with shopping bag hooks and storage containers, and cupholders are liberally positioned throughout the vehicle. A tilt/telescoping steering wheel is also standard as is cruise control and a six-speaker AM/FM/CD player.
The LE adds dual power sliding doors, power driver’s seat, multi-information display with compass, clean air filter in the ventilation system, integrated Homelink programmable three-channel garage door opener, rear audio controls, removable centre console and 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels with wheel locks.
Pricing
Specifications
Crash test results
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