2008 Toyota Sienna - Features Review

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Shopping for a new Toyota Sienna?

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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.”