Toyota Sienna Introduction Agawam MA

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New engine brings big power increase.

Introduction

A minivan might be the perfect vehicle for growing families, and the Toyota Sienna remains one of the best minivans going. It has all the elements that make minivans so useful, with good performance, an abundance of feature choices and excellent finish and function.

For 2007, the Sienna has more power than ever, with a larger, more powerful 3.5-liter V6 under its hood. The new engine gives the Sienna class-leading power, without a significant reduction in EPA mileage ratings. We found the 2007 Sienna offers impressive acceleration and just seems to have more driving excitement about it than last year's model.

The Sienna is big and roomy, but it doesn't drive bulky and it's not hard to park. It's smooth, responsive and quiet, and compared to sport-utility vehicles with comparable functional capability, it's more fuel efficient. It will switch from eight-passenger mini-bus to cargo hauler in minutes, with room for full sheets of plywood, 10-foot ladders and significantly more cargo space than most full-size SUVs. It will tow a family camper or small watercraft, and it doesn't look odd in the line for valet parking.

This family van is available in a wide range of trim-levels, making it accessible to a wider range of buyers. The base Sienna CE starts below $25,000 well equipped, with a full compliment of power features, air conditioning with separate controls front and rear, and a six-speaker CD stereo with a jack for MP3 players. The line-topping Limited easily breaks $40,000, equipped with leather memory seats, high-intensity headlights, active cruise control and rear-seat DVD entertainment. Yet all models have the same flexible seating arrangements, the powerful V6 and a five-speed automatic transmission.

Sienna also offers all the important safety equipment, and then some. Front passenger side-impact airbags, full-cabin head protection airbags and a sophisticated anti-lock brake system are standard. Electronic stability control, or Vehicle Stability Control as Toyota calls it, is available on all models. An optional rear-view camera helps the driver spot objects or children behind the vehicle when backing up, augmenting an audible park-assist system. All-wheel drive is available for those who need it, though the standard front-drive Sienna works just fine for suburbia in the Snow Belt.

It's easy to identify traits that make the Sienna a great minivan, but some of its strengths are more subtle and less tangible. Small conveniences contribute, including hooks in the just the right place or seats that fold with one hand. Almost everything works as people expect, without struggle or confusion. The Sienna removes family transport as a source of stress and pleasantly fades into the background until its time to go.

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