Toyota Sienna minivan offers plenty of technology and all-wheel drive

The need to move several people and their stuff at one time can be met in comfort and style with the Toyota Sienna minivan, one of the best family haulers on the market.

For model year 2015, Sienna has been redesigned in several areas for style,comfort, convenience, and safety.

Sienna offers five models – L, LE, SE, XLE, and Limited – with various options available, featuring a standard 266-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine matched with a six-speed electronically controlled auto overdrive transmission with intelligence (ECT-i).

Base prices range from $28,600 to $46,150. Available in front- or all-wheel drive, the Sienna has EPA highway MPG ratings in the mid 20s, and seating for up to eight passengers – all riding on stylish 18-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels. Sienna is the only van in its class to offer all-wheel drive, which is available on LE, XLE and Limited models.

The base L model has lots of family-friendly features. LE adds to that list, and the next two models bring even more standard amenities. The top-of-the-line Limited (base price $45,020), the model I drove for this review, is loaded with luxury.

A standard Tow Prep Package, along with the V-6, allows Sienna to tow 3,500 pounds. Electronic power steering, a wide stance, and aerodynamic under-body components give Sienna solid, stick-to-the-road, dynamic performance.

The exterior of the LE, XLE, and Limited models has an updated grille featuring new colors. SE and Limited have upgraded, slimmer headlights and new LED daytime running lights.

My Limited Premium front-drive was Predawn Gray Mica with Ash Leather interior, trimmed with wood on the dash, door armrests and shifter knob. Colors and interior trims vary by model.

All five models have a stiffened chassis with over 140 additional spot welds for an unexpected driving experience, and all except the SE have restyled, more aggressive taillights.

Inside, the Sienna has lots of new features and upgrades, including softer materials and top-stitching, blue ambient lighting, a larger screen for audio functions and backup display (6.1-inches for the L model, 7 inches for the LE, SE, XLE, and Limited models), and an upgraded steering wheel and backup camera for all models.

A new dash design and center console brought the main controls within easy reach. The new Tri-Sync switch for the three-zone air conditioning system, the multimedia controls, and the shifter were located on one panel. The new three-spoke heated steering wheel is available in leather or premium leather.

Vehicle information was displayed on a new multi-information display in the middle of the instrument cluster. The base version is a 3.5-inch dot-matrix LCD, while the higher-level models have a 4.2-inch color TFT screen.

A four-way switch was located on the steering wheel for toggling among functions, such as audio controls on the dot-matrix version and audio, multi-media, navigation and AWD operation on the TFT version (mine). The display included a trip meter with miles traveled and MPG. For this report, I averaged 21.3 mpg.

The new sliding center console on my tester could be expanded fore and aft, opening a large felt-lined storage compartment at the same time and keeping the rear cupholders within easy reach for passengers in the sliding second-row captain’s chairs. An additional child-seat LATCh location brought the total to four, and Sienna also gained an air bag, for a class-leading total of eight. The new air bag is in the front-passenger seat cushion.

A new selectable force-limiting seatbelt on the front passenger seat adjusts for a variety of passenger sizes and shapes. The side-curtain air bag has also been increased by 30 percent, extending to the third row, for more protection in a side collision.

Driver Easy Speak is a new feature for the Sienna this year, and allows the driver/parent to communicate with the passengers/kids in the third row using the vehicle’s built-in microphone to amplify the driver’s voice through the rear speakers. The system is controlled using the touch screen, has four volume settings, and turns off if any door is opened. Add the convenience of the standard conversation (spy) mirror in the overhead console, and the driver/parent can monitor safely from the front seat.

New features also include an intuitive button layout for heating/air, and audio systems, a new instrument cluster and display for the new MID (multi-information display) between the speedometer and tachometer. The MID, which displays crucial vehicle and trip information, has a 3.5-inch black-and-white screen for the L and LE, and 4.2-inch color TFT for the SE, XLE, and Limited.

The upgraded Entune multimedia system with App Suite is now standard on most Sienna models. App Suite includes Bing, iHeartRadio, MovieTicket.com, OpenTable and Pandora, and is accessed via a compatible smartphone using Bluetooth wireless or USB and Sienna’s available steering wheel controls and/or voice recognition. Data services provided include traffic and weather, fuel prices, sports and stocks.

New apps can be downloaded when available. Three Entune systems are offered: Entune Audio Plus, Premium Audio with App Suite and navigation, and JBL Premium Audio with App Suite and navigation. All come with satellite radio, HD radio with traffic and weather in certain areas, and backup camera display. My tester had the 10-speaker JBL Premium system.

A new Dualview Blu-Ray DVD rear entertainment center with single-disc DVD player, RCA jacks, SD card, HDMI input, two 120-volt AC power outlets, a remote and two wireless headphones is also available and was included on my Sienna. The 16.4 inch screen can show one wide-angle image or, using a separate DVD player or game system via the center console A/V jacks, two smaller images at the same time, and can be seen from the third row. Additional headphones are available.

Sienna’s best feature is the massive amount of space for passengers and stuff. The second-row seat can be removed, and the third-row seat can be folded and stowed in the floor, opening up the cargo area to 150 cubic feet, eight feet long and four feet wide to accommodate lots of plywood or wallboard.

Loading was easy thanks to the wide power tailgate and side doors, low floorheight and the fold-and-slide second-row seats. Sienna also had lots of storage bins, spaces and cupholders. A flat shelf with a slight lip located between the center console and the lower dash, a flat rubber-lined shelf on the center console, and a small pull-down drawer with coin holders allowed me to keep necessary items secured within easy reach for my extended road trip. Bag hooks located strategically throughout the cabin kept snack bags and trash bags where we wanted them.

The sliding second-row captain chairs moved back 23 inches for easy entry and exit, access to child safety seats, and to give tall passengers plenty of legroom. Moving the seats toward the front allowed easy access to young passengers. Standard second-row lounge seating in the FWD Limited included a flip-up footstool. The captain’s chairs had two armrests and easy-release handles for seat removal. My front passenger actually rode in the second row for part of the trip, it was that comfortable. Passengers in all rows had excellent visibility, with a dual moon roof enhancing the overall airy feel.

The third row bench seat folded and stowed 60/40 with the push of a button on the upper edge of the gate opening. With the seat simply folded, the area just inside the gate becomes a deep area for transporting tall items such as potted plants or a dorm fridge.

With the third row upright, the cargo area will accommodate lots of luggage or sports equipment.

My tester had Toyota's Star Safety System with antilock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, enhanced Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, and Smart Stop Technology

Other standard safety equipment included a Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, front and rear parking sensors, and the Safety Connect telematics system with a one-year trial subscription. Safety Connect includes Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification, Emergency Assistance Button (SOS), and Stolen Vehicle Location.

Options on my tester included mudguards for $129, roof rack cross bars for $185, wireless headphones $55 for two, remote engine start for $499, and carpeted floor mats and sill protector for $330. Freight charges added $885, for a total delivered price of $47,103.

This story was originally published March 20, 2015 at 2:23 PM with the headline "Toyota Sienna minivan offers plenty of technology and all-wheel drive."