You've heard about all the space our longterm 2011 Toyota Sienna has, but I'll put it to you in terms you racers understand -- this thing is a 24-tire hauler. Easily. Now, that's with 195-series 14-inchers, but if you're racing on anything bigger than that, you're a baller and you own your own enclosed trailer anyway. Or a boxtruck.
Anyway, ahead of our prep for last weekend's race, my teammate Bitter Dan grew skeptical when he heard I was bringing a minivan. There was a lot to do, and much equipment to shuffle around. The email exchange is across the jump.
Bitter Dan: Would be helpful if you could come down with the Raptor so we can pick up all the tubs, spares, and tires from the shop and bring them to my house.
Me: I'll bring a minivan
Bitter Dan: will a minivan fit our box-o-spare parts and 8 wheels/tires?
Me: This minivan will fit the number of corpses a honey badger can generate in a whole month.
Bitter Dan: sure? we need all the suspension and steering bits otherwise, well crash. also need fuel jugs and drip pan.
When I rolled up in the Sienna, Bitter Dan nearly fell over. Yes, the Sienna is huge.
But it doesn't drive huge. Other editors have noted that the SE trim level has spot-on damping and ride, and I agree -- it snuffs out impacts without harshness. There's no reason for the softer base Sienna suspension.
And beyond pure swallowing capacity, it's a user-friendly race support vehicle -- crazy-low step-in heights, sliding doors with gigantic apertures, a flat load floor, power door & liftgate... even skeptical Bitter Dan has seen the light.
--Jason Kavanagh, Engineering Editor
cooper7r says:
02:10 PM, 08/12/11
Wouldn't the Grand Caravan with Stow-N-Go be even more ideal?
bradyholt says:
04:11 PM, 08/12/11
If you don't have to take the seats out, then no. With Stow 'n Go, you need to move the front seats way forward to get the rear seats in or out of their bin -- a slow process with dual power seats.
altimadude05 says:
07:56 PM, 08/12/11
Removing the middle row and having to leave them somewhere and then come back for them is a slow process too. Stow-n-Go is very convenient. Is it perfect? No. Is it better than the alternatives? Arguably.
billt9 says:
03:29 AM, 08/13/11
altimadude05, the middle seats are right in the picture in this Sienna.
Everything fits behind the sliding middle seats.
The Quest is the best. Just fold the middle seats forward.
threemopars says:
01:31 PM, 08/13/11
"The Quest is the best. Just fold the middle seats forward."
Yet you get a high load floor thus giving you less cubes to haul stuff.
greenpony says:
11:16 AM, 08/15/11
I know I'm years away from getting a minivan... and the wife avoids them like college kids avoid waking up before noon... and I'll freely admit that I have a prejudice against Toyota...
BUT...
Your reviews of this minivan have got me thinking. Maybe not *considering* yet... but thinking.
nicholasrage says:
03:52 PM, 09/ 7/11
@cooper7r @bradyholt I can comment on the current Sienna vs the Caravan/Town and Country as far as cargo, loading, convenience, etc. having rented a Sienna this year for Burning Man and a T&C last year for the same event. The Carvan/T&C's rear seats are simply better designed for ease of use, accessibility and utility.
If you look at the picture posted for this article, you can see the Sienna's seats are flush but not flat. It's a minor gripe, but I nearly twisted my ankle when stepped into the gap around the headrests where the 3rd row folds into the floor while loading a generator. In the GC/T&C, both the middle and 3rd row seats can flip down into the floor and provide a completely flat cargo area. Here's a picture from Edmunds.com's own review: http://goo.gl/be1cE. No wobbling into the house with a 50lb seat and hoping your friend's cats don't pee on it while you're gone, no gap to stick your foot into while loading cargo. Putting everything back up is easier in the GC/T&C as well. I'd put up with 20 seconds of scooting a power seat scoot around versus what I'd have to do in a Sienna.