Green
Trucks
Luxury
Family
Brand
Muscle
See more sites from  HighGear  M E D I A  >>
Compare this car to others like it Try our car compare tool now

2008 Toyota Sienna Performance Review

November 5, 2008

PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

uninspired handling even for a minivan
Edmunds

generally aloof responses
Car and Driver

strong off-the-line acceleration
Kelley Blue Book

The 2008 Toyota Sienna features an extremely robust powertrain in an extremely relaxed chassis.

Offering perhaps the Sienna’s only draw for the enthusiast is Toyota’s gem, the corporate 3.5-liter DOHC V-6. Blessed with dual variable valve timing for the best of low-end torque and high-end power, its 266 horses and 245 pound-feet of torque make it “the strong, silent type, rushing to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds” by Car and Driver’s stopwatch. Fleet performance for a family carton, indeed. Kelley Blue Book attests the engine “delivers where it counts,” and comparing it to the 3.3-liter V-6 it replaced, Edmunds admits “there's no denying the potency of the new V6 when you step into it.”

The only transmission offered is a five-speed automatic that's generally praised for the smooth, responsive way it transmits the V-6’s power to the ground. Edmunds complains that the Sienna’s “automatic transmission is calibrated more for fuel economy than performance and thus tends to shift conservatively,” probably appropriate for a minivan as well as for economy. Kelley Blue Book, however, contends the transmission “makes the most of the engine's torque curve before seamlessly shifting to the next gear.” Regarding this marriage of engine and transmission, Car and Driver concludes, “if choosing a minivan came down to the powertrain, this Toyota would be a slam-dunk.”

And that’s about it for the Sienna’s rave reviews. Handling is pretty ponderous, Car and Driver faulting the “the generally aloof responses of the controls. The brakes feel wooden…the steering lacks sharpness.” On a positive note, those brakes are four-wheel discs, unlike the previous-generation Sienna, which makes do with drums on the rear. And despite its front-wheel drive, the Sienna manages “a tidy turning circle of 36.8 feet…the envy of several passenger cars,” claims Car and Driver. “The Sienna offers little inspiration in the handling department,” says Edmunds, noting that it “feels secure enough” but offers “minimal steering feedback and considerable body roll,” as well as brake pedal feel that is “too soft.” Even the non-enthusiasts over at ConsumerGuide note that “tire grip seems only adequate and the steering is a tad overassisted.”

Perhaps making up for its lack of athletic moves, Car and Driver, in a comparison test involving other competitive minivans, asserts that “what you get instead of confident handling is a soft, quiet ride that makes the others seem a bit rude.” Edmunds also makes note of the “softly tuned suspension,” and ConsumerGuide finds the van to be “Comfortably composed. Large humps and dips induce some body bounce, but the suspension irons out most rough pavement.”

Despite its athletic acceleration, the Sienna offers competitive EPA ratings of 17/23 mpg with front-wheel drive, and 16/21 mpg with the optional all-wheel drive, both competitive figures for the class (or in a class of its own, in the case of the AWD).

Conclusion

If driving enjoyment is important, you might want to skip over the 2008 Toyota Sienna and go on a little shopping Odyssey.

PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:uninspired handling even for a minivanEdmundsgenerally aloof responsesCar and Driverstrong off-the-line accelerationKelley Blue Book The 2008 Toyota Sienna features an extremely robust powertrain in an extremely relaxed chassis. Offering perhaps the Sienna’s only draw for the enthusiast is Toyota’s gem, the corporate 3.5-liter DOHC V-6. Blessed with dual variable valve timing for the best of low-end torque and high-end power, its 266 horses and 245 pound-feet of torque make it “the strong, silent type, rushing to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds” by Car and Driver’s stopwatch. Fleet performance for a family carton, indeed. Kelley Blue Book attests the engine “delivers where it counts,” and comparing it to the 3.3-liter V-6 it replaced, Edmunds admits “there's no denying the potency of the new V6 when you step into it.” The only transmission offered is a five-speed automatic that's generally praised for the smooth, responsive way it transmits the V-6’s power to the ground. Edmunds complains that the Sienna’s “automatic transmission is calibrated more for fuel economy than performance and thus tends to shift conservatively,” probably appropriate for a minivan as well as for economy. Kelley Blue Book, however, contends the transmission “makes the most of the engine's torque curve before seamlessly shifting to the next gear.” Regarding this marriage of engine and transmission, Car and Driver concludes, “if choosing a minivan came down to the powertrain, this Toyota would be a slam-dunk.” And that’s about it for the Sienna’s rave reviews. Handling is pretty ponderous, Car and Driver faulting the “the generally aloof responses of the controls. The brakes feel wooden…the steering lacks sharpness.” On a positive note, those brakes are four-wheel discs, unlike the previous-generation Sienna, which makes do with drums on the rear. And despite its front-wheel drive, the Sienna manages “a tidy turning circle of 36.8 feet…the envy of several passenger cars,” claims Car and Driver. “The Sienna offers little inspiration in the handling department,” says Edmunds, noting that it “feels secure enough” but offers “minimal steering feedback and considerable body roll,” as well as brake pedal feel that is “too soft.” Even the non-enthusiasts over at ConsumerGuide note that “tire grip seems only adequate and the steering is a tad overassisted.” Perhaps making up for its lack of athletic moves, Car and Driver, in a comparison test involving other competitive minivans, asserts that “what you get instead of confident handling is a soft, quiet ride that makes the others seem a bit rude.” Edmunds also makes note of the “softly tuned suspension,” and ConsumerGuide finds the van to be “Comfortably composed. Large humps and dips induce some body bounce, but the suspension irons out most rough pavement.” Despite its athletic acceleration, the Sienna offers competitive EPA ratings of 17/23 mpg with front-wheel drive, and 16/21 mpg with the optional all-wheel drive, both competitive figures for the class (or in a class of its own, in the case of the AWD). ConclusionIf driving enjoyment is important, you might want to skip over the 2008 Toyota Sienna and go on a little shopping Odyssey. 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.

Next Steps:

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2008 Toyota Sienna

Check Financing Rates

for the 2008 Toyota Sienna

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2008 Toyota Sienna near you

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.

Post a comment

Post anonymously, or
(Required)
(Required - will not be published, sold or shared)
(Optional - your 'posted by' name will link to the URL)

Remember Me?

I have read TheCarConnection.com's privacy policy