2005 Sienna CE Reviews

• Body Style: Passenger Van
• Vehicle Size: Mini
• MSRP: $23575.00
• Mileage: 19
• Fuel Type: Regular unleaded
• Fuel Capacity: 20.90
• Horsepower:
• Seating Capacity:8
• Build Location: Princeton, IN

• Model Lineup
• Exterior Features
• Interior Features
• Driving Impressions
• Summary

On the mountain roads above Palm Springs, we found the Sienna could be driven quickly, like a car. Its steering is responsive and there's little body roll, or lean, when cornering. The Sienna offers very good transient response, quickly changing directions on winding roads without losing composure. It feels stable at high speeds. Honda Odyssey is known for sharp handling, while Chrysler Town & Country is known for a smooth ride. Toyota says it designed the Sienna to beat both of them at both of their games. 

The Sienna felt like it was able to turn tighter and seemed more maneuverable in tight parking lots, and in fact that is the case. The Sienna can complete a circle in less than 37 feet, compared with more than 39 feet for a Grand Caravan and 40 feet for a Nissan Quest. The steering is nice and light in parking lots, lighter than the Nissan's. 

The Sienna can get to speed fairly quickly. Toyota says it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 8.3 seconds, making it one of the quickest minivans available. Toyota's 3.3-liter V6 features a two-stage variable-valve setup (VVT-i or Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) for good torque at both low rpm and high rpm, while improving fuel economy by 3 mpg over the previous design. In other words it's quicker and more fuel-efficient than pre-2004 models. 

A smooth-shifting five-speed automatic transmission adds to the Sienna's responsiveness around town and on the highway. The five-speed automatic also offers good fuel efficiency, achieving an EPA-estimated 27 mpg Highway. Sienna runs clean, too, clean enough for Ultra Low Emissions (ULEV II) certification. Toyota recommends premium fuel. 

Shifting into reverse turns on an outside warning beeper, which improves safety in a crowded shopping center parking lot, but may not be popular with neighbors late at night. Models with the navigation system also feature a camera that switches on whenever the Sienna is shifted into reverse, displaying a moving picture of what's behind. The top-of-the-line XLE Limited features a park-assist system that sounds a tone inside the vehicle when backing up or pulling forward toward close objects; it works well and is very useful when parallel parking or for detecting unexpected objects around this big vehicle. There are different tones for front and rear and the tone beeps faster as objects get closer. 

Braking is smooth and powerful. Making big 16-inch wheels standard equipment allowed Toyota to design bigger brakes. Four-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist come standard. ABS helps to prevent the brakes from locking during severe braking conditions. EBD distributes the braking force to the tires with the most weight on them for quicker, more stable stops. Brake Assist adds brake pressure during emergency stopping situations when the driver mistakenly reduces pedal pressure. 

Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with Traction Control (TRAC) is optional. Vehicle Stability Control utilizes the braking system to help the driver maintain control in adverse driving conditions. Traction control helps reduce tire slippage during acceleration. 

All-wheel drive models come with 17-inch run-flat tires. Run-flat tires are equipped with reinforced sidewalls with a special bead shape to permit driving for up to 100 miles at speeds up to 55 MPH even when all the air pressure is lost. So you don't have to stop and change a tire in a threatening area of town or on a dark and stormy night. We associate run-flat tires with a rougher ride qua.