2001 Toyota Sienna: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

A Kentucky-built minivan based on Toyota's Camry sedan platform, Sienna features a single body length with dual sliding side doors. Front side-airbags and an antiskid system are new options for 2001, as is a rear-seat video entertainment system. The only engine is a 3.0-liter V6 that gains 16 hp this year. Standard are automatic transmission, ABS, and a tire-pressure monitor. Midline LE and top-line XLE models offer a power right-side sliding door, and the XLE offers dual power doors. Sienna's 3rd-row seat is split 50/50 and slides forward 6 inches for extra rear storage.

COMPETITION

Though the competition has heated up, we feel that the new Dodge Caravan is still one of the best minivans you can buy. It offers all of the creature comforts in a pleasing package at a fair price. Our other Best Buy is the Honda Odyssey. It's a little bit smaller than the Dodge, but more sporty to drive, and it has a super-convenient flip-and-fold-away rear seat.

Trailing at a close second are the Recommended Chevy Venture, Ford Windstar, and Toyota Sienna. Though these vans are comparably priced and offer loads of neat features, we feel they can't match the road manners of our two Best Buys. Also garnering Recommended ratings are the Chrysler Town & Country and Chrysler Voyager. Though they are mechanically similar to the class-leading Caravan, they don't offer the breadth of model choices.