The 2011 Toyota Sienna: Room for Six
By admin on Jan 9, 2012 in Uncategorized
Minivans may not be as stylish as some of today’s “crossovers” (which supplanted the desirable SUVs that supplanted minivans as family movers) but there’s no denying their usefulness and versatility. And you need look no farther than the new 2011 Toyota Sienna (or the previous generation, for that matter).
Sienna first came about in 1998, replacing Previa (1990-1997) which had replaced the Toyota Van (1984-1989) – the first modern minivan sold in North America (beating out the Chrysler Magic Wagons by weeks).
Built off the revered Toyota Camry, comfort is one of Sienna’s greatest attributes – there’s room for six in family room splendour, with the ability to squeeze in a couple more. Unlike many crossover or sport-utility vehicles, there’s plenty of legroom all around and access to the third row seats would make a Chevy Suburban blush. Most of the credit goes to a low cabin floor (which you don’t get in CUVs or SUVs).
Middle row passengers get individual seats separated by a floor console, attached to the driver’s side seat. Both seats are adjustable fore/aft and reclinable. The travel is long, and even basketball stars won’t suffer cramped knees. Pushing them all the way back does impinge on rear passengers, but smaller travelers won’t likely notice.
Of interest is a removable padded panel, with attached headrest, that can be fitted over the console to create another (temporary) seat. It’s not comfortable, so don’t get to thinking that you can take the entire hockey team for an out-of-province hockey tournament, but for short trips it does the trick. When not needed, it folds up and stows in a side panel at the rear of the cargo space.
The rear seats fold forward and pull back into the cargo area floor, but they don’t seem to sit flat, much as I tried. The middle seats accordion up against the front ones to expand cargo room for most needs. I don’t believe it will fit a 4×8 sheet of drywall, but most other building supplies will be easily handled.
The front seats are similar in support and comfort to the wrapping style to appear radical, while still retaining the typical Toyota functionality. Of note is a small display for the back-up camera – it sits atop larger-than-needed radio and compressed heating/ventilation controls. A larger display could likely replace the large radio (which could be integrated into a touchscreen).
