Despite verbal bad-mouthing inflicted upon the genre as a whole, minivans continue filling a vital void if carting multiple kids or oodles of stuff. Minivans remain totally uncool with certain segments of popular culture…until their practical and versatile nature transcends bullies into believers.
Toyota’s Sienna dares to be different; greatly benefitting suburban Chicago commuters. It’s the only conventional 2015 minivan sold in America offering Midwest friendly all-wheel drive, useful when snow piles up between November and March. As with most minivans today, one extended length is available. In the 1990s during their heyday, both regular and extended-length versions were not uncommon.
The traditional minivan universe continues contracting not expanding. The Volkswagen Routon (basically a Dodge Grand Caravan with VW front grille and tweaked suspension) was unceremoniously dropped from retrial sales after one generation (2009-2012). General Motors opted out in 2005 to focus upon crossover body types. Ford’s Freestar/Windstar experiment ended in 2007, but a new version of the multi-faceted Transit Connect van includes seating for seven and sliding side doors; but nary an utter of the ‘M’ word. Chevrolet recently debuted the all-new 2015 Express small cargo van, but it’s tailored for shuttling work equipment, not eight-year-olds.
Speaking of the Dodge Caravan, the once mighty hauler is scheduled for retirement next year in favor of an all-new crossover-type vehicle. Only the Chrysler Town & Country remains from the former Chrysler Corp. (now a cog of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) portfolio that once boasted the Caravan, T/C and Plymouth Voyager.
Sienna arrived as a member of Toyota’s family in 1998 and the current third-generation platform launched in 2011 model year. In 2015, Sienna receives many mid-cycle upgrades. Tri-zone climate controls now come standard across all trims: L, LE, SE, XLE and top-line Limited. An additional air bag (for a total of eight) is added to the front passenger seat cushion. Also updated; the center ventilation and audio center and the addition of more highlight stitching, noticeable along the soft-touch upper dashboard.
Sienna’s second row offers two captain’s chairs (seven passenger seating) or a three-row sliding bench design (eight riders).
While dual sliding side doors come standard, base L remains the sole trim requiring manual muscle to open and close; all other trims incorporate power slide. Manual rear lift gates are L and LE staples with power lifts standard in remaining trims. Only LE, XLE and Limited trims offer all-wheel drive. Option packages are few with standard equipment increasing further up the trim-level ladder. Also, SE, XLE and Limited trims include an optional premium sub grade with second-row ceiling-mounted DVD entertainment center with 16.4-inch wide screen.
Assembly takes place in the southern reaches of the Hoosier State, not far from the Bluegrass State boarder and in regional proximity to Toyota’s hub in Georgetown, Kentucky, home of mid-size Camry sedan production. Princeton, operational since the late 1990s, also assembles the mid-size Highlander crossover and full-size Sequoia sport utility.
Sienna pricing starts at $28,600 for a base L trim level with front-wheel drive. By comparison, a 2015 Honda Odyssey starts at $28,975 while a 2015 Chrysler Town & Country lists at $29,995.
Our Sienna tester, an all-wheel drive, seven-passenger, Sky Blue (one of nine available exterior colors) XLE Premium checked in at $40,555. The only extra was a dealer-installed floor mat set ($330) for a $41,700 bottom line including $885 destination charge.
Drivers sit with an elevated position higher than conventional sedans providing good views of the road and surroundings. The long structures require extra patience when backing out of parking space, making optional cross-traffic alerts a valuable tool.
Returning once again to power Sienna is a 3.5-liter V-6 pumping out 266 horsepower mated to an exceptionally quiet six-speed automatic transmission. It’s the sole engine available. Toyota experimented with an available four-cylinder powertrain in 2011, but dropped the option two years later.
With the automatic transmission shifter dashboard mounted and parking brake foot operated, the region between front captain’s chairs remains open and functional. Two side-by-side beverage holders reside in front of a deep, sturdy storage bin with a flat top that flips up when commanded via a push-pad.
Push button start comes standard. To the dashboard’s far right is a retracting bin for coin storage. As with most Toyota and upscale Lexus products, cruise control operates via a 5 o’clock steering wheel appendage.
The instrument panel includes two large circular analog gauges with fuel gauge tucked into the bottom portion of the right-side speedometer. New for 2015; a digital multi-function center display with toggle functions mounted on the steering wheel face. Ventilation controls to the right of the dash-mounted automatic transmission shifter include a twist dial for temperature and push-buttons for direction and fan speed. A multi-function touch-operated center screen incorporates back-up camera feed and audio listings. Tactile twist knobs help monitor volume and station selections.
Sienna’s three-passenger third row includes a bench seat with manually-folding 60/40 splits in all trims. When prone, 39.1 cubic feet of cargo room is available in back with a scooped well design along the bottom. Third row seats and backs easily stow inside this well creating a flat floor surface with step-by-step instructions easily visible. Once headrests manually fold down, a pull of a built-in grab handle easily transports the light-weight seat into the well. It pulls out just as quickly and the backrest stands to attention with the pull of a long, Velcro strap. Power folding third-row seats are not available.
Our tester’s second-row captain’s chairs easily slid forward on a floor track, leaving relatively wide opening when maneuvering into the three-seat third row. When slid far forward, second-row seat cushions fold up against front-row chairs, creating a large cargo area with third-row seats folded (117.8 cubic feet). If desired, second-row chairs may be completely removed from the vehicle for optimal 150 cubic feet of cargo room.Wide, second-row windows power down in all trims. Rear quarter windows push out an inch or two benefitting third-row ventilation.
It’s hard to disguise a minivan as anything other than a minivan. However, Toyota incorporates a smooth-looking side profile thanks to astute second-row sliding door engineering. Hidden directly below third-row side windows is the mechanical groove second-row doors utilize when sliding rear ward. This rather unsightly rail largely escapes view thanks to forward thinking. Several competing minivans etch this track into the back side panel well below the windows; exposing the track and standing out like a sore thumb.
The ‘V’-shaped grille includes Toyota’s circular “T” logo outside and above the horizontal in-sloping slats flanked by narrow headlight housing. The power folding cargo door lifts up with ample head clearance for those six-feet three-inches and shorter.
The gas tank handles 20 gallon of regular, 87-octane fuel. Estimated fuel economy checks in at 16 miles per gallon city and 23 mpg highway with all-wheel drive; add two miles for each category if selecting front drive. These figures are average for the minivan community.
At a Glance -- 2015 Toyota Sienna
Price as tested: $41,770
Engine: 3.5-liter V-6
Horsepower: 266
Wheelbase: 119.3 inches
Overall width: 78.2 inches
Overall height: 68.9 inches
Overall length: 200.2 inches
Curb weight: 4,735 pounds
Powertrain warranty: Five years/60,000 miles
Fuel economy: 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway
Assembly: Princeton, Indiana