2004 Toyota Sienna XLE AWD Minivan - 2004 New Car Review
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS
When it debuted for the 1998 model year, the Sienna was
Toyota's third attempt at minivan popularity. Following out of the
footsteps of the boxy Van and bubble-shaped Previa, both rear-drive
vehicles closer to small commercial vans than minivans in design, the
Sienna was the first Toyota van to be solidly in the mainstream of
minivan design. It was much more successful than its predecessors,
but the minivan market was changing.
Minivans, if you've noticed, aren't so mini anymore. And they're
becoming ever more fully-featured. And so, the second generation
Sienna has debuted as a 2004 model.
The 2004 Sienna is offered in four grades. Having the newest
minivan means that Toyota has appropriated just about every useful
feature in the class, with power accessories, cup and bottle holders,
storage spaces, power points, and (bad news for the kids) even a
convex ``conversation mirror'' that allows the driver to check on the
rear passengers. The ``entry-level'' CE has many of the comfort and
convenience features expected in upper-level vehicles, while the core
model LE adds a few more. Add even more in the XLE, and the
XLE Limited has most of the features of a full luxury sedan, with
more room. CE and LE models are offered in seven or eight-
passenger trim, and all grades but the CE may be had with all-wheel
drive.
I've just finished a week with a well-equipped all-wheel drive
XLE. It was week two of my latest move, and filling the Sienna
showed its versatile workhorse nature very well. With interior
versatility and capacity galore, a low load floor, and side doors to
better arrange boxes and things that don't fit into boxes, the Sienna
was the perfect vehicle. Put the seats back up, and it'll hold seven or
eight people, depending on configuration. Minivans don't exactly
have a performance reputation, but the 2004 Sienna has plenty of
power to deal with city and highway traffic. Minivans may not be
trendy, but, as exemplified by the new Toyota Sienna, they are
among the most versatile and useful vehicles made.
APPEARANCE: With a 5.1-inch longer wheelbase, 6.5- inch greater
length, four-inch greater width, and 1.6-inch increased height, the
new Sienna is noticeably larger than the original. It looks even
bigger - compared side by side, it almost looks possible to park an
old Sienna inside of the new one. The 2004 version reflects current
Toyota styling trends with a highly-detailed, angular look. A longer
and less-sloping hood accentuates its two-box shape. Bright
triangular headlights, a wide ``double-decker'' mesh grille, and a
shades-of-Celica vee-shaped hood bulge that ends with the
medallion in the grille give it the contemporary Toyota face. The
sculpted front fascia has a wide auxiliary intake and foglamps. The
top of the front bumper line rounds the front corner and sweeps up
and back, over the front wheel arch to become a side character line
that introduces a wedge shape to break up any hint of slab-
sidedness. An arched roof is topped by a matte black roof rack on
some grades. The rear features the typical three-dimensionally
curved minivan tailgate and large wraparound taillights.
COMFORT: Space is what counts in a minivan, and there is plenty
inside in the new Sienna - 45 cubic feet more than in the original
Sienna, making it one of the largest current minivans. Excellent
space utilization, with many storage spaces, cup- and bottle-holders,
and power points throughout the interior, adds utility. Two different
basic configurations are offered. The seven-passenger version has
second-row captain's chairs. Both adjust fore-and-aft, and the right-
side one can be moved sideways for a two-seat bench. The eight-
passenger model has a second-row three-way split/folding bench
with a ``Front and Center''(tm) middle seat that can be moved closer
to the front, for child seat accessibility. Both second rows flip and
fold, and can be removed. All 2004 Siennas have the 60/40 ``Split
and Stow 3rd Row''(tm) seat. As the name implies, each part can be
folded flat into the floor separately. When up, the well area behind
increases cargo space, and keeps it from moving around. The front
passenger seat back also folds forward. The result is extreme cargo
and/or passenger versatility, from an approximately 4x8 foot cargo
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space with the second row removed and third stowed to seven or
eight people, or anything in between. All grades have dual sliding
doors; the XLE and Limited have power doors and a power tailgate
that may be operated from the remote fob, by buttons in the van, or
semi-manually. As I discovered, they are useful when carrying
awkward loads, but plan ahead - a hand is needed for the remote.
Passenger accommodations are very good, with comfortable and
supportive front and second-row seats. Second-row legroom is
excellent, and there is space in the third row for three medium-sized
adults.
SAFETY: The 2004 Sienna's unibody structure is designed for
crashworthiness. Standard antilock brakes, with electronic brake
distribution and brake assist ensure short stopping distances.
Toyota's VSC stability control system is available.
ROADABILITY: With its rigid chassis structure, long wheelbase,
wide track, good aerodynamics, and a low center of gravity, the
new Sienna is quiet and stable on the highway. As a bonus, it's also
quite pleasant to drive on secondary roads. A smaller turning circle
makes it more maneuverable around town, and easy to park despite
its size. Front-wheel drive is the standard drivetrain configuration,
with all-wheel drive available. The AWD system normally
distributes torque evenly between the front and rear axles, and
directs it to the wheels with the best traction if there is any wheel
slip. My test van had the AWD system, which was transparent in
operation. It's designed for use on pavement or improved dirt
roads, and the Sienna's 6.9 inches of ground clearance should be
adequate for that use.
PERFORMANCE: Although the second-generation Sienna is larger
and heavier than the original, it has a better power-to-weight ratio
thanks to its larger, more powerful engine. The old 194-horsepower
3.0-liter V6 has been replaced by a 3.3-liter V6 with 230 horses at
5600 rpm and 242 lb-ft of torque at 3600 rpm. Toyota's ``VVT-i''
variable valve timing system broadens the power curve, increases
efficiency, and reduces emissions. A new electronically-controlled
five-speed automatic transmission with adaptive shift logic also
contributes to improved performance and efficiency. In all-wheel
drive versions, the AWD system's 200 extra pounds are offset by a
lower final drive ratio, which keeps acceleration the same, with only
a minimal impact on fuel economy. Because of the new engine's
greater efficiency, the AWD models get the same mileage as the old
FWD versions.
CONCLUSIONS: Toyota's new Sienna takes the best features of
minivandom and improves upon them.
SPECIFICATIONS
2004 Toyota Sienna XLE AWD Minivan
Base Price $ 31,465
Price As Tested $ 35,190
Engine Type dual overhead cam 24-valve V6 with
VVT-i variable valve timing and lift
Engine Size 3.3 liters / 202 cu. in.
Horsepower 230 @ 5600 rpm
Torque (lb-ft) 242 @ 3600 rpm
Transmission 5-speed electronically-controlled
automatic
Wheelbase / Length 119.3 in. / 200.0 in.
Curb Weight 4365 lbs.
Pounds Per Horsepower 19.0
Fuel Capacity 20 gal.
Fuel Requirement 91 octane unleaded premium gasoline
recommended
Tires P225/60 TR17 Bridgestone B380
Brakes, front/rear vented disc / disc
Suspension, front/rear independent MacPherson strut /
independent twist beam axle
Drivetrain front engine, all-wheel drive
PERFORMANCE
EPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon
city / highway / observed 18 / 24 / 20
0 to 60 mph 8.3 sec
OPTIONS AND CHARGES
XLE package #17 - includes:
Leather trim seats, 2nd and 3rd row side
sunshades, driver and front passenger
heated seats, driver and front side bolster
airbags, all three row curtain side airbags $ 2,870
Carpet floor mats and door sill protector $ 196
Glass breakage sensor $ 149
Delivery charge $ 510
