2004 Toyota Sienna

Safety has always been a key feature of the Sienna with the current model scoring high marks in both government and Insurance Institute crash tests. Toyota says the new Sienna delivers even more in the area of passenger protection. Major safety systems that come standard on every Sienna include driver and front passenger airbags, a low tire pressure-monitoring system, and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution to assure stability during a panic stop.


Optional safety equipment designed for those looking for the ultimate in minivan passenger protection include a vehicle stability control system, traction control, front and rear sonar parking obstacle avoidance system, and side curtain air bags that provide coverage for all three rows, a first for a minivan. On models equipped with the optional dual power sliding side doors, Toyota includes revolutionary new "pinch sensors" integrated into the leading-edge weatherstrips designed to reverse the door the instant it comes in contact with an obstruction. All minivans with power doors include some kind of pinch protection to keep passengers from being inadvertently injured when caught in the path of an automatically closing door. However, Toyota's new system is much more sensitive and reacts faster than any other setup we've seen.

Under the hood is a 3.3 liter DOHC V-6 putting out 230 horsepower, backed by a five-speed automatic transmission.

While power may not seem that important in a minivan, it actually is due to the large amount of cargo and passengers that minivan drivers often carry. Passing power on the freeway is especially key and the new Sienna has plenty on tap. Doing duty under the hood is a 3.3 liter DOHC V-6 putting out 230 horsepower that's backed by a five-speed automatic transmission. Toyota says the smooth-running engine should motivate the Sienna from 0 to 60 mph in 8.3 seconds. This engine felt more than adequate during our test and represents a bump up in size and power over the current 3.0 liter, 210 horsepower V-6. Towing capacity is rated at 3500 pounds.


Sienna buyers can choose between either standard front wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive for improved all-weather traction. Though final fuel economy figures are not yet available, Toyota expects front-wheel drive models to get 19 city and 27 highway, while all-wheel drive Siennas will get 18 city and 24 highway. One of the only negative items we can see regarding the Sienna's powertrain is that the recommended fuel is 91 octane, rather than less expensive 87 octane gasoline.


The new Sienna will come in four model grades—the base CE version, the mid-level LE, the near-fully equipped XLE, and the top-of-the-line XLE Limited. A wide assortment of standard features on the CE grade include dual sliding doors with power windows, keyless entry system, power windows, door locks and mirrors, AM/FM/Cassette/CD with six speakers, front & rear air conditioning, dual front captains chairs, folding tray table between the front seats, tilt/telescopic steering column, variable intermittent front and rear windshield wipers, 10 cup holders and four bottle holders, three 12V power outlets and a heavy-duty rear window defogger with timer. The CE starts at $22,955, which is $950, or 4.0 percent less than a 2003 model.