Topic: Car/Auto_Reviews
Just a few words will summarize this great van. Bigger. Bolder. Cutting-edge technology and specs and more beautiful. More elegant than the Nissan Quest that was newly redesigned. A few steps ahead of the Honda Odyssey. Call this simple comparison the battle of the minivans. In fact, these means of transportation have greatly improved their image in the minds of the American consumer. Which company is well-placed to feed his/her consumer's needs other than Toyota Motor U.S.A? With the complete redesign of their bestseller van, this giant Japanese automaker knows what it's like to provide the market with a variety of products that most people will enjoy.
There is no doubt that this second-generation minivan has exceeded the expectations of the regular consumers. I know for sure that it has left me very impressed on the day I went for my test drive. Early that afternoon, I pulled up into the parking lot of the dealership to get my van to test-drive it on the nearby freeway. I found it to be very worthy of the heated competition among soccer moms in the suburbs. What's great about the Sienna is that consumers can opt for front or all-wheel drive configurations. The CE and LE are available in both seven or eight passenger seating arrangements.
The new toyota minivan is five inches longer in wheelbase and over six and a half inches longer in overall length with a front and rear track that have been increased by four inches.
The Best In Its Class
The 2004 Toyota Sienna XLE Limited AWD is powered by a 3.3L V-6 with VVT-i technology. It's also equipped with a great five-speed automatic transmission with intelligence (ECT-i). Before the test-drive, I had some questions about its maneuverability on the road. Despite its large size, I found it to be very responsive. I only needed to tap on the gas and everything else was history. This flushed appearing, light gold minivan was a breeze in the traffic. As far as space in the driver's and passenger's sides, the van is unsurpassable in both areas. Independent MacPherson struts control the front suspension while the rear features a torsion beam setup. Front and rear stabilizer bars work to keep the van stable and predictable.
What's it like inside the van?
Spacious and quiet are the attributes of this vehicle. It sets a new standard in low noise emission, vibration and harshness characteristics. The driver controls and switches were readily available. The displays were uncluttered. Behind the steering wheel, I enjoyed a great view of the freeway. The Sienna comes equipped with two regular AC outlets for appliances. It has dual sliding doors that combine with hand grips to facilitate entry and exit. It's a very versatile van when it comes to the use of its interior. I managed to let my friend drive and sit in the back. I had enough leg and head room. It offers a second-row, three-way split/folding bench with a front and center middle seat that can be moved almost 13-inches closer to the front seat. My friend who was looking for a van to transport her dogs to shows was very happy with these arrangements. On days she has to take her siblings to school or the coast, she'll greatly appreciate the accessibility of this minivan.
What's my final thought?
Besides anything else, I will say that seating is very comfortable in all rows. I like the fact that a buyer can choose his or her configuration with the right bucket seating arrangement. In regards to all the other options, you can go crazy over upgrades.
It's a great investment for the family. The fight is on between Toyota and Honda again. Let's see who will win the consumer over.
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