The interior of the Sienna is equally conventional. The easy step-in puts the driver in a commanding position
with big, bright instrument panel gauges and an excellent view in all directions, thanks to all the glass.
Storage is close at hand without impeding the generous pass-through to the rear. A handy little net attached
to the sides of the front seats is great for storing toll tickets, sunglasses and other small objects. Fold-down
cupholders next to the storage net secure drinks but get out of the way when not in use.
The second row can be equipped with either captain's chairs or bench (the latter is required with the integrated
child seat). The seatbacks fold down to provide a flat surface for food and games and cupholders. Molded into the
doors are round holders suitable for one-liter bottles--a nice idea.
Pleasant as it is, the Sienna's interior most betrays the attention to cost required to make this vehicle
profitable for Toyota. The designers borrowed switches, gauges, and parts from the Camry, Corolla and Avalon. They
are all perfectly functional and no doubt utterly reliable, but they don't display Chrysler's ergonomic excellence
in this area.
Audio and climate controls are mounted high on the center dashboard for good access, but the ashtray and second
power plug are down low and angled out of the way. The column-mounted shifter works well, slipping cleanly into the
desired gear, but I kept bumping the windshield wiper stalk and activating the wipers when I shifted into Park. And
the seats, even in the top-of-the-line XLE we tested, lacked side-to-side support to keep you comfortably anchored.
The optional leather made the slipping and sliding even more noticeable.
The Sienna has three trim levels: CE, LE and XLE. The $21,560 CE is pretty bald for the money. Air conditioning,
cruise control, cassette player, and power windows, locks and mirrors are all optional. The second sliding door isn't
even available. Since Toyota has the capacity to build only 70,000 Siennas a year, it is focusing on the better-equipped
models.
Most people will likely opt for the mid-line LE for its superior package of features-for-the-dollar. The $24,395
five-door LE comes standard with the second sliding door, air conditioning, power windows, locks and mirrors, cruise
control, radio/cassette player, privacy glass (important for cutting down on heat gain), and access to most of the options list, including the captain's chairs, six-speaker audio system, integrated child seat, and power sliding door.
If you want all the frills, you need the $27,520 XLE. This is the only model that offers leather trim and a
gloriously huge power moonroof ($2,390 for both), as well as the premium six-speaker audio system with radio, cassette and single-slot CD.
When you start with a Camry, you start well. The Sienna has borrowed heavily from the Camry, using its 3.0-liter
V6 engine, four-speed electronic transmission, steering system, gearbox, and front suspension.
The result is a minivan with a ride as good as is out there. A big, tall box will never ride and handle as well as
a low, sleek sedan, but the Sienna is pretty darn good. It would be better, though, with a stiffer suspension. It soaks
up bumps well, but leans a bit too much in corners for our tastes.
As the sole engine choice, the Toyota V6 is easy to live with. It doesn't feel as zippy as it does in the much
lighter Camry, but it's smooth, reliable, and economical. At 194 horsepower, it's efficient, too, making 44 more horsepower than either the Chrysler or Ford 3.0 V6s.
But it's not the most powerful engine out there. With both Chrysler and Ford, you can order 3.8-liter V6s with a lot more torque for easier cruising with a heavy load. The Toyota V6 also requires premium fuel, which is unfortunate in a run-around-town family vehicle.