2005 Toyota Sienna Review
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By Mitch McCullough

Overview

The Toyota Sienna is comfortable and easy and does everything well. It's big and roomy and packed with features that make life easier and more convenient. Its power sliding doors and power rear liftgate work superbly well and a rear-view camera is available to help spot trouble behind. There's more cargo space here than in the Sequoia full-size sport-utility, yet the Sienna costs $10,000 less.

Its smooth ride, responsive handling, and brisk acceleration performance make the Sienna a pleasant companion on the road. Its 230-horsepower V6 engine and five-speed automatic transmission deliver responsive throttle response while turning in good fuel economy. All-wheel drive is available for more secure travel in foul weather. And the Sienna is rated to tow up to 3500 pounds.

This is one of the best minivans you can buy, against which other minivans should be measured. Its smoothness and convenience causes the Sienna to fade into the background while you go about your life. Completely redesigned as a 2004 model, the Sienna eases into 2005 with minor upgrades in standard equipment. This latest-generation Sienna is larger and more powerful than pre-2004 versions.

Model Lineup

The 2005 Toyota Sienna comes in four trim levels: CE, LE, XLE, and XLE Limited. All come with the 3.3-liter V6 and five-speed automatic. All are equipped with anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and brake assist, which together help the driver stop more quickly and better maintain control. There's a choice of front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. Seven- and eight-passenger configurations are available.

All models, starting with the CE ($23,225), come standard with a 60/40 Split & Stow third-row bench seat, power windows, door locks and mirrors, sliding doors on both sides with power windows, keyless entry, AM/FM/cassette/CD with six speakers, dual-zone (front and rear) air conditioning with rotary dial controls, 16-inch steel wheels with 215/65R16 all-season tires, captain's chairs for the first and second rows (for seven-passenger capability), a folding tray table between the front seats, tilt/telescopic steering column, black lacquered interior trim, tire pressure warning system, variable intermittent front and rear windshield wipers, 10 cup holders, four bottle holders, three 12-volt power outlets, and a heavy-duty rear window defogger with timer. New High Solar Energy-Absorbing (HSEA) glass on the windshield and front side windows helps reduce cabin temperature. An eight-passenger CE is also available ($23,375).

The most popular model is the Sienna LE ($24,730), which comes with nicer cloth fabric, upgraded trim and a host of convenience features: engine immobilizer, audio controls on the steering wheel, heated power mirrors, a roof rack, privacy glass, cruise control, driver's seat manual-adjustable lumbar support, illuminated vanity mirrors, color-keyed license plate garnish, and a fold-flat front passenger seat. An eight-passenger LE is available ($24,880). Also available: a seven-passenger LE with all-wheel drive ($28,345).

Sienna XLE ($29,025) is more luxurious, with yet another level of upgraded fabric; dual power sliding side doors and a power open/close liftgate; tri-zone (driver, front passenger and rear) climate control with air filter; 16-inch alloy wheels; eight-way power adjustable driver's seat; six-way power adjustable passenger seat; JBL Synthesis 360-watt AM/FM/cassette/CD stereo with 10 speakers, rear seat audio controls and wireless headphone capability; overhead console with trip computer, outside temperature display, and HomeLink universal transceiver garage door opener; leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls; wood-grain trim; chrome door handles; color-keyed heated power mirrors; auto on/off headlights; fog lamps; an anti-theft alarm; removable center console; and 16-inch aluminum wheels. XLE is available only in the seven-passenger configuration. XLE is available with all-wheel drive ($32,230).

The top-of-the-line XLE Limited ($35,295) adds leather-trimmed seats and other luxury features. XLE also comes standard with dynamic Laser Cruise Control, wood grain/leather steering wheel with audio controls, six-disc CD changer, high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps, driver and front passenger heated seats, chrome accents on bodyside molding, grille and rear license plate garnish, daytime running lights, windshield wiper de-icer grid and an auto-dimming electrochromic driver's side mirror and inside rear view mirror, and second- and third- row sunshades. The XLE is available with all-wheel drive ($37,495). Safety equipment is upgraded considerably, with driver and front-passenger side-impact airbags, curtain airbags designed to provide head protection for passengers in all three rows, electronic stability control (VSC) with traction control and Brake Assist, rear disc brakes, front and rear parking sonar, 17-inch alloy wheels with 225/60R17 all-season tires.

All Sienna AWD (all-wheel drive) models come with four-wheel disc brakes, electronic stability control and traction control, windshield-wiper de-icer, and P255/60R17 all-season run-flat tires on aluminum wheels.

Option packages are numerous.

Safety equipment includes optional side-impact airbags for driver and front passenger and curtain airbags designed to provide head protection for all three rows of seats. Standard safety features include three-point seatbelts in all seats with adjustable seatbelt anchors for front- and second-row seats; driver and front passenger pretensioners and force limiters; height-adjustable head restraints in all seating positions; low tire-pressure warning system; child-protector sliding door locks; pinch protection function with auto-reverse on available power sliding doors; and a new LATCH (Lower Anchor with Tether for Children) system used in all second-row seating positions to accommodate new-design child seats.