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2008 Toyota Sienna Features Review

November 5, 2008

FEATURES | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

large front-door pockets
Car and Driver

There's also a ‘conversation mirror
Road & Track

luxury features not typically seen on a minivan
Edmunds

the only minivan to offer all-wheel drive
Cars.com

The 2008 Toyota Sienna offers several standout features that make it unique among minivans.

“The 2008 Toyota Sienna minivan comes in four trim levels -- CE, LE, XLE and XLE Limited,” explains Edmunds. CE and LE may be had with a second-row bench or captains' chairs, providing those models with eight- or seven-passenger capacity. XLE and XLE Limited models come only in the seven-passenger varieties. All except for the CE may be optioned with all-wheel drive.

Notable standard features, according to Kelley Blue Book, on the base model include a V-6 engine, five-speed automatic transmission, anti-lock brakes, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), 10 cup holders, rear defroster, side-impact and side-curtain airbags, dual sliding side doors with power windows, power door locks, illuminated remote keyless entry, power liftgate release, AM/FM stereo with CD, tilt/telescopic steering wheel, power windows, full wheel covers, and a rear wiper. That is, it's well-equipped for $25,000.

To that roster, depending upon trim, items may be added. Kelley Blue Book’s list of notables includes features such as the aforementioned all-wheel drive, power seats, leather interior, heated front seats, cruise control, dual power sliding side doors, JBL audio with 10 speakers and Bluetooth technology (standard on Limited), power-folding third-row seat (Limited), four-wheel disc brakes, power lumbar support, DVD rear-seat entertainment system, and alloy wheels. The Limited trim offers Dynamic Laser Cruise Control, and Limited and XLE offer optional navigation as part of the JBL audio upgrade.

There is a “Honda-style fold-down table with a cup holder at each corner and a large tray in the middle,” says Car and Driver, to which Toyota adds “a lidded bin and splendid surface detailing.” There are two glove boxes in the Sienna, one stacked atop the other, but the top “box on the Toyota is sized for gloves and little more.” The conversation mirror is described by Road & Track as “a convex piece mounted in the over-head console allowing parents to keep tabs on the youngsters.” They also mention the inclusion of “14 (!) cupholders, storage bins galore, three 12-volt outlets” and “standard with power windows in the dual-sliding side doors.”

Calling it quite Lexus-like in its appointments, Edmunds feels the Sienna’s optional “telescoping steering wheel, adaptive cruise control and rear sunshades” are “features not typically seen on a minivan.” Kelley Blue Book’s favorite features are the Sienna’s sliding side-door power windows and its split flush-folding third-row seat. In a segment where others don’t allow windows to open at all, they felt it nice to “allow passengers to enjoy as much fresh air as they like.”

Conclusion

If you don’t mind spending premium SUV money, you can have an extremely well-equipped, luxurious, and capable…minivan.

FEATURES | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:large front-door pocketsCar and DriverThere's also a ‘conversation mirrorRoad & Trackluxury features not typically seen on a minivanEdmundsthe only minivan to offer all-wheel driveCars.com The 2008 Toyota Sienna offers several standout features that make it unique among minivans. “The 2008 Toyota Sienna minivan comes in four trim levels -- CE, LE, XLE and XLE Limited,” explains Edmunds. CE and LE may be had with a second-row bench or captains' chairs, providing those models with eight- or seven-passenger capacity. XLE and XLE Limited models come only in the seven-passenger varieties. All except for the CE may be optioned with all-wheel drive. Notable standard features, according to Kelley Blue Book, on the base model include a V-6 engine, five-speed automatic transmission, anti-lock brakes, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), 10 cup holders, rear defroster, side-impact and side-curtain airbags, dual sliding side doors with power windows, power door locks, illuminated remote keyless entry, power liftgate release, AM/FM stereo with CD, tilt/telescopic steering wheel, power windows, full wheel covers, and a rear wiper. That is, it's well-equipped for $25,000. To that roster, depending upon trim, items may be added. Kelley Blue Book’s list of notables includes features such as the aforementioned all-wheel drive, power seats, leather interior, heated front seats, cruise control, dual power sliding side doors, JBL audio with 10 speakers and Bluetooth technology (standard on Limited), power-folding third-row seat (Limited), four-wheel disc brakes, power lumbar support, DVD rear-seat entertainment system, and alloy wheels. The Limited trim offers Dynamic Laser Cruise Control, and Limited and XLE offer optional navigation as part of the JBL audio upgrade. There is a “Honda-style fold-down table with a cup holder at each corner and a large tray in the middle,” says Car and Driver, to which Toyota adds “a lidded bin and splendid surface detailing.” There are two glove boxes in the Sienna, one stacked atop the other, but the top “box on the Toyota is sized for gloves and little more.” The conversation mirror is described by Road & Track as “a convex piece mounted in the over-head console allowing parents to keep tabs on the youngsters.” They also mention the inclusion of “14 (!) cupholders, storage bins galore, three 12-volt outlets” and “standard with power windows in the dual-sliding side doors.” Calling it quite Lexus-like in its appointments, Edmunds feels the Sienna’s optional “telescoping steering wheel, adaptive cruise control and rear sunshades” are “features not typically seen on a minivan.” Kelley Blue Book’s favorite features are the Sienna’s sliding side-door power windows and its split flush-folding third-row seat. In a segment where others don’t allow windows to open at all, they felt it nice to “allow passengers to enjoy as much fresh air as they like.” ConclusionIf you don’t mind spending premium SUV money, you can have an extremely well-equipped, luxurious, and capable…minivan. 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA STYLING | [6 out of 10] Kelley Blue Book: “nothing radical” Edmunds: “spacious cabin is handsomely fitted” MyRide.com: “we find the basic shape…appealing” The 2008 Toyota Sienna is a vehicle that’s rather anonymous and inoffensive. Automotive critics have ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The Sienna’s styling looks a bit dated next to the new-for-2008 Chrysler minivans and several other vans that have been redesigned since the Sienna’s last redesign for 2004. But most notably, the 2008 Toyota Sienna has available all-wheel drive, while these rivals do not. Otherwise, they’re quite equivalent in terms of engine power and overall interior space, but seat arrangements present a significant difference between the models and trims. In this group, the Town & Country has the widest range of configurations, from a standard second-row bench arrangement to the innovative Stow ‘n’ Go, which allows the second and third rows to fold fully into the floor, and Swivel ‘n’ Go, which allows the second row to turn 180 degrees. In terms of driving, the Honda Odyssey remains the most enjoyable on a twisty road, but the Entourage has surprisingly good performance, too, as does the Quest. Despite some flaws, such as ride quality and a questionable reliability record, the Quest is the more fashionable choice for those who must have a minivan but don’t want a vehicle that completely blends in with all the other minivan models.

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See the Toyota Sienna in Other Years:

2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998

Comments (2 total)

  1. By OLU #1, Posted: 9/16/2008

    i need a car

    hell0 am sell.sell a car in nigeria but i don"t know d way 2 get u people pls i need ur help .

  2. By Gina #2, Posted: 10/11/2008

    MS.

    You need to contact someone with the NPA and see what importing a car entails. There are very few people that will assist anyone in Nigeria because of the scamming that goes on. Good luck.

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