Probably the most interesting thing about the redesigned 2011 Toyota Sienna is that you can get it with a four-cylinder engine. This would be the same 2.7-liter inline-4 from the Venza and Highlander, and it will be rated at 187 horsepower and paired with a six-speed automatic -- a combo good for a claimed 26 mpg on the highway.
Adding a four-cylinder engine also allowed Bob Carter, Toyota USA group vice president, to tell the crowd gathered at the L.A. Convention Center that the minivan will have "a starting price lower than the current model" when it goes on sale next year.
The V6 Siennas will show up at dealerships first in February 2010, and they'll continue on with the potent 3.5-liter V6 rated at 266 hp. Fuel economy will improve, though, thanks to that six-speed auto.
When the four-cylinder vans show up later in the spring, they'll be accompanied by a new SE model. It has a lowered suspension, recalibrated electric power steering, 19-inch wheels, rocker moldings, a blacked-out grille, smoked headlamp lenses, and do you want us to go on? The SE, said Carter, has a "fun to drive spirit that's going to surprise you."
More photos and details after the jump.
2009 LA Auto Show: 2011 Toyota Sienna
Look for five trim levels on the Sienna -- base, LE, XLE, SE and Limited. On V6 versions of the LE, XLE and Limited, you can have all-wheel drive if you want. And you can have your van with 7- or 8-passenger seating. In the Limited, the second-row chairs are lounge-style with legrests and third-row seats are power-folding. Oh, and the second-row seats still don't fold into the floor, so if you want to stow and go, don't come here.
New tech includes a panoramic camera (with a 180-degree wide angle rear view), adaptive cruise with pre-collision, and a 16-inch-wide rear entertainment screen that can show a movie in widescreen or go split screen for dual gaming. --Erin Riches
pat1usmc says:
01:10 PM, 12/ 2/09
Since I'm actually shopping for a minivan right now, this is pretty cool news! Didn't think I could actually be anticipating the release of a minivan. I do wish there were more pictures of that SE model though.
rallyandbosox says:
01:31 PM, 12/ 2/09
Why does the exterior of Toyotas have to look so similar? Good to finally see a new Sienna but it's got the same boring corporate look the other Toyotas have.
mrryte says:
01:51 PM, 12/ 2/09
When the four-cylinder vans show up later in the spring, they'll be accompanied by a new SE model. It has a lowered suspension, recalibrated electric power steering, 19-inch wheels, rocker moldings, a blacked-out grille, smoked headlamp lenses, and do you want us to go on? The SE, said Carter, has a "fun to drive spirit that's going to surprise you."
All it needs now are a few APC stickers and all the soccer moms will be down with the Fast and Furious crowd....
hondacura4 says:
02:22 PM, 12/ 2/09
I've known about the SE version for some time now as my father is a Toyota/Lexus product planner. We will be looking to replace out beloved 2005 Odyssey Toruing sometime in late 2010 early 2011 and we will definitely give the SE model a try. However with the new Odyssey just around the corner...who knows. Honda, would you consider making an Si version of the Odyssey?
"All it needs now are a few APC stickers and all the soccer moms will be down with the Fast and Furious crowd.... "
Mrryte, that was a bit harsh as the SE package is far from "rice"!
albook says:
03:06 PM, 12/ 2/09
Even with all the doubters out there, it seems even Toyota may still copy Chrysler. The styling looks big and square...and do those second row seats fold into the floor?
bankerdanny says:
03:27 PM, 12/ 2/09
I predict that the 4-cyl version will be popular with cab drivers, who are increasingly moving away from the Crown Vic (for which I am grateful as the Crown Vic sucks to ride in even when it's the extended WB version) to minivans, Escape Hybrids and Scion Xb's (which make great cabs, I actually go out of my way to flag the Xb version down when I need a cab).
hondacura4 says:
03:28 PM, 12/ 2/09
No SE V6?
eriches says:
04:51 PM, 12/ 2/09
@ pat1usmc: The Siennas (all 3 of them) were mobbed after the press conference, but I'll try to post more photos of the SE tomorrow.
@ hondacura4: We didn't get full product details on the 2011 Sienna today, particulaly in the allotment of equipment across the trim levels. The SE will be offered with the V6, but as I understand it, it won't be available with all-wheel drive. Most likely, all trim levels (except maybe the base van) will provide a choice btwn the 4cyl and the V6. --Erin Riches
pat1usmc says:
06:16 PM, 12/ 2/09
Thanks!
subaru123 says:
06:58 PM, 12/ 2/09
Erin, we need pictures of the new pedals. Just kidding.......but not really.
tp660 says:
08:54 PM, 12/ 2/09
Honestly, I think it looks fine for a minivan, even though it's not very exciting to look at. But then again, none of the minivans on the market are really that interesting to look at. And I know this is a petty thing, but I really, really wish if Toyota would stop putting the Toyota enblem at the top edge of the grille or on the hood. It just looks so stupid and improperly placed when they do that. It should be dead center on the grille.
billt9 says:
11:04 PM, 12/ 2/09
I like the SE. Looks nice.
Not a fan of clear tailights, but doesn't look terrible in this application.
I wonder what took so long for leg rests to come to the USA, as they're offered on nearly all minivan-like models in Japan.
nickdago says:
01:46 AM, 12/ 3/09
Ugly, Ugly and More Ugly. I try to keep it Pithy
michael_s says:
06:11 AM, 12/ 4/09
I think the side, rear, and interior view look nice and the front looks awful. But minivans aren't about looks, they're about space, safety, and low price, and a 4-cylinder minivan with mileage 19 city/26 highway (which would have been something like 21/29 under pre-2007 EPA fuel economy rating guidelines) is fantastic. A Sienna 4-cylinder would top my "to buy" list, but we need our next seven passenger vehicle by mid April.