2011 Toyota Sienna Road Test Review

2011 Toyota Sienna Minivan Road Test Review

It builds on assets of Camry and Venza

By Bob Plunkett

On the north-bound path of I-43, which traces the western shore of Lake Michigan and connects Milwaukee to Sheboygan, a sleek new Sienna minivan from Toyota moves at a quick clip in the inside swift lane.

Even at legal freeway speed, Sienna's accelerator seems to hold much more juice beneath a driver's foot, due to the lively 2GR-FE V6 engine borrowed from Camry, Toyota's best-selling mid-size sedan.

The minivan's long and broad platform, also derived from Camry, feels substantial and forges an expansive passenger compartment filled with three rows of seats plus enough space for everyone in an extended family to travel in comfort.

Securely strapped in a contoured bucket seat, one driver grips a wood-and-leather steering wheel with both hands and from time to time eyes the array of Optitron electronic gauges in the instrument cluster, which dazzle in vivid blue and white light.  [Full Story]