2001 Toyota Sienna Review
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By Mitch McCullough, Editor-in-Chief

Overview

Toyota's Sienna makes a good argument against buying an SUV. It delivers an excellent ride, and comes with a smooth and powerful V6 engine and smooth-shifting automatic. It's comfortable and offers enough passenger space to satisfy a family with multiple children. The Sienna also comes with Toyota quality and it has earned top-notch government crash test scores.

Model Lineup

Three trim levels are available: CE ($23,905), LE ($25,755), XLE ($28,436). All Siennas use Toyota's V6 to power the front wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission. All are the same length, and all come with dual sliding rear doors. An optional power sliding door on the right is available for LE and XLE models ($395).

Of the three trim levels, the CE is basic: Cruise control, and power windows, locks and mirrors are all optional.

Mid-line LE comes with all the popular features. It comes standard with dual-temperature air conditioning with separate controls for the rear, power windows, locks and mirrors, cruise control, privacy glass and better quality cloth. It also offers most of the available options, including the captain's chairs, six-speaker audio system and power sliding door.

XLE adds body-colored trim, remote keyless entry, heated mirrors, upgraded stereo with eight JBL speakers, anti-theft alarm, multi-adjustable power seats, second-row captain's chairs, wider tires, alloy wheels and a roof rack. The XLE Upgrade Package #1 ($1,610) provides leather trim and a premium audio system with radio, cassette, and CD changer. Also available for Sienna is a huge power moonroof and a towing package.

New features for 2001 include an optional entertainment system (with a roof-mounted flip-down TV screen, VCR, and AV outlets for video game systems), a restyled exterior, redesigned audio and climate control systems, and optional side airbags and (on the XLE) electronic stability control.