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2009 Toyota Sienna Review

February 23, 2009

STYLING | 6 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

we find the basic shape … appealing
MyRide.com

smartly styled
Kelley Blue Book

spacious cabin is handsomely fitted
Edmunds

When it comes to styling, minivans can’t get a break. They are designed to carry maximum amount of cargo—human and otherwise—while also being safe and fuel-efficient, and that dictates their shape.

The Toyota Sienna is no exception, and most automotive writers have few nice things to say about the Sienna’s design. Road & Track half-heartedly classifies it and other minivans as “family cartons,” and MyRide.com, the most vocal supporter of this family hauler’s lines, finds “the basic shape of the Sienna appealing,” though they cite its “sneering grille work and those big headlights” as the features that create the strongest impression. Kelley Blue Book offers mild props, calling the Sienna “smartly styled,” but admits that the van, now in its fifth year, “offers nothing radical in the way of exterior features or design.”

Inside, the Sienna is no more exciting, but here its conservative style finds fans. Edmunds reports “the Sienna’s spacious cabin is handsomely fitted.” “The Sienna driver sits before a smooth, organic dashboard, with a prominent if slightly awkward center stack,” says MyRide.com. They like its standard trim with its “dark, lacquered-look plastic,” but are less favorable of the faux wood on the XLE and limited, which they consider “looks tacked on.”

Conclusion

The 2009 Toyota Sienna celebrates anonymity and practicality.

STYLING | 6 out of 10Expert Quotes:we find the basic shape … appealingMyRide.comsmartly styledKelley Blue Bookspacious cabin is handsomely fittedEdmunds When it comes to styling, minivans can’t get a break. They are designed to carry maximum amount of cargo—human and otherwise—while also being safe and fuel-efficient, and that dictates their shape. The Toyota Sienna is no exception, and most automotive writers have few nice things to say about the Sienna’s design. Road & Track half-heartedly classifies it and other minivans as “family cartons,” and MyRide.com, the most vocal supporter of this family hauler’s lines, finds “the basic shape of the Sienna appealing,” though they cite its “sneering grille work and those big headlights” as the features that create the strongest impression. Kelley Blue Book offers mild props, calling the Sienna “smartly styled,” but admits that the van, now in its fifth year, “offers nothing radical in the way of exterior features or design.” Inside, the Sienna is no more exciting, but here its conservative style finds fans. Edmunds reports “the Sienna’s spacious cabin is handsomely fitted.” “The Sienna driver sits before a smooth, organic dashboard, with a prominent if slightly awkward center stack,” says MyRide.com. They like its standard trim with its “dark, lacquered-look plastic,” but are less favorable of the faux wood on the XLE and limited, which they consider “looks tacked on.” ConclusionThe 2009 Toyota Sienna celebrates anonymity and practicality.  2009 TOYOTA SIENNA STYLING | [6 out of 10] MyRide.com: “we find the basic shape … appealing” Kelley Blue Book: “smartly styled” Edmunds: “spacious cabin is handsomely fitted” When it comes to styling, minivans can’t get a break. They are designed to carry maximum amount of ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

The Honda Odyssey is the closest rival to the Toyota in terms of reliability, but it outshines the Sienna in driving pleasure. The Chrysler Town & Country is the most recently updated of the group, and its styling and features—along with its Dodge Grand Caravan sibling—include more innovative seating options. The Hyundai Entourage has surprisingly good performance and is one of the best values in the group. For those determined to have a roomy minivan that’s at least a little stylish, the Nissan Quest is the choice. One thing that the Sienna has that none of these competitors offer is all-wheel drive.

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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 dsh #1, Posted: 6/15/2009

    Looks like the only "real" difference between the LE and XLE is the optional features...

  2. By sonnyhung #2, Posted: 9/14/2009

    The only thing that was a deal maker for my wife when we checked the LE versus the XLE was the 2nd & 3rd row built-in shades. They are not available on the LE in any option package. I think if we purchased the parts we could install it but not as an option. We had to purchase the XLE ;-)

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