2008 Toyota Sienna Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

The 2008 Toyota Sienna is largely unchanged. This minivan comes in CE, LE, XLE, and top-line Limited trims. All have a 266-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine and a 5-speed automatic transmission. All have front-wheel drive. LE, XLE, and XLE Limited are available with all-wheel drive. Standard seating is for seven via 2nd-row buckets and a 60/40 3rd-row bench that folds into a floorwell. CE and LE can carry eight with an optional 2nd-row bench. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. Power operation for the right-side sliding door is optional for LEs. XLEs and Limiteds come with dual power doors and a power liftgate. Limited's exclusive options include adaptive cruise control and a power-folding 3rd-row seat.

Competition

Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Long the choice as a family hauler, Minivans are easily the smartest use of space for passengers and cargo. These vehicles offer a fantastic blend of comfort, convenience, and safety features for the modern family.

Our Best Buys are the Chrysler Town and Country, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Honda Odyssey. Our Recommended picks are the Hyundai Entourage, Kia Sedona, and Toyota Sienna.

New or significantly redesigned models include the Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan.

News

Our moles say a redesigned Sienna is due in 2009 as a 2010 model. Unlike today's minivan, it will be engineered for a gas/electric powertrain. Both the hybrid model and conventional versions may get a somewhat larger V6, perhaps with E85 flex-fuel capability. We think overall size and features won't change much, though Toyota could surprise us. Styling will change, of course, perhaps taking on a more aggressive character.

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2008 Toyota Sienna Road Test

Pros	Cons

Available all-wheel drive	Fuel economy

Passenger and cargo room

Entry/exit

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

AWD LE	XLE	AWD XLE w/navigation	AWD Limited	Class Average
6	6	6	6	5.4

Power is ample, even with AWD. The transmission provides prompt, smooth shifts in any situation.

Fuel Economy

AWD LE	XLE	AWD XLE w/navigation	AWD Limited	Class Average
4	5	4	4	4.2

In Consumer Guide testing, an AWD XLE averaged 16.4 mpg. Sienna uses regular-grade gas.

Ride Quality

AWD LE	XLE	AWD XLE w/navigation	AWD Limited	Class Average
7	7	7	7	6.4

Comfortably composed. Large humps and dips induce some body bounce, but the suspension irons out most rough pavement. AWD models have run-flat tires, but there's no noticeable difference in ride quality.

Steering/Handling/Braking

AWD LE	XLE	AWD XLE w/navigation	AWD Limited	Class Average
5	4	5	5	5.2

Pleasant and competent for a minivan, with moderate cornering lean. Tire grip seems only adequate and the steering is a tad overassisted. The turning radius is tight, but parking ease is hampered by Sienna's overall length.

Quietness

AWD LE	XLE	AWD XLE w/navigation	AWD Limited	Class Average
6	6	6	6	6.3

At least equal to the class-topping Honda and Chrysler/Dodge minivans. The main noise source is moderate coarse-pavement tire thrum. One test model suffered from a loud thumping noise when the 3rd-row seat was folded. Wind rush is well-contained.

Controls

AWD LE	XLE	AWD XLE w/navigation	AWD Limited	Class Average
6	6	5	6	6.2

The gauges are clear, and minor controls are guess-free. A few switches are scattered and out of easy reach. CE/LE climate systems use four simple rotary knobs. XLE and Limited's three-zone setup adds button clutter, plus a display that's almost illegible in certain light conditions. The navigation system absorbs most audio controls, complicating what should be simple adjustments.

Details

AWD LE	XLE	AWD XLE w/navigation	AWD Limited	Class Average
5	5	5	5	5.3

The cabin benefits from high-grade plastics, but some of our testers say the colors and fabrics are drab. The turn signal in one test XLE would not cancel, and an auxiliary 12-volt power outlet only worked intermittently.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

AWD LE	XLE	AWD XLE w/navigation	AWD Limited	Class Average
8	8	8	8	7.5

Room aplenty on comfortable seats. Standard seat and steering-wheel adjustments cater to most any size driver. Visibility is good, though rear headrests and thick roof pillars are minor over-the-shoulder obstructions. No-strain entry and exit.

Room/Comfort (rear)

AWD LE	XLE	AWD XLE w/navigation	AWD Limited	Class Average
7	7	7	7	7.6

Bench or buckets, the 2nd-row seats seem long-haul comfortable. Buckets can adjust to form a bench. They weigh about 55 lb each, and are cumbersome to remove or install. Adults have good headroom without the sunroof, OK clearance with. Second-row seats slide fore and aft; legroom gets tight if they're not well aft. Firm 3rd-row bench is kid-size but reasonably accessible, as the 2nd-row seats double-fold to open fairly wide passage.

Cargo Room

AWD LE	XLE	AWD XLE w/navigation	AWD Limited	Class Average
10	10	10	10	10

The hideaway 3rd-row seat is split for versatility; sections drop easily into a floorwell that otherwise holds 12 or more grocery bags. All but CE have a fold-flat right-front seat for long cargo. A 4x8-ft panel fits with 2nd-row seats removed and the 3rd row stowed. Cabin has numerous bag hooks, cargo tie-downs, bins, pockets. Open liftgate clears six-footer's head. Note: Front-drive models store a space-saver spare tire below the chassis, so a full-size flat must be carried inside. AWD Sienna uses run-flat tires, thereby deleting the spare.

Value within Class

AWD LE	XLE	AWD XLE w/navigation	AWD Limited	Class Average
8	8	6	6	7.1

This Recommended minivan combines good ideas from rivals with its own appealing pluses, including first-rate refinement, build quality, and carlike road manners. Sienna prices are steep for lavishly equipped models, but that's offset somewhat by Toyota's reputation for strong resale value.

Total Score

AWD LE	XLE	AWD XLE w/navigation	AWD Limited	Class Average
72	72	69	70	71.2

Scores for all Minivans

Low Score		62
Average Score		71
High Score		78

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2008 Toyota Sienna Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 06/17/2008

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

FWD CE 7-passenger 4-door van	$24,440	$21,994	$660

FWD CE 8-passenger 4-door van	$24,590	$22,128	$660

FWD LE 7-passenger 4-door van	$25,965	$23,367	$660

FWD LE 8-passenger 4-door van	$26,115	$23,503	$660

AWD LE 7-passenger 4-door van	$29,135	$26,220	$660

FWD XLE 7-passenger 4-door van	$29,625	$26,365	$660

AWD XLE 7-passenger 4-door van	$32,385	$28,820	$660

FWD XLE Limited 7-passenger 4-door van	$35,565	$31,651	$660

AWD XLE Limited 7-passenger 4-door van	$37,765	$33,609	$660

Price note: FWD denotes front-wheel drive. AWD denotes all-wheel drive. Prices are for vehicles distributed by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. The dealer invoice and destination charge may be higher in areas served by independent distributors.

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Powertrain

3.5-liter V6 engine, 5-speed automatic transmission, traction control.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, antilock brakes, brake assist, antiskid system, tire-pressure monitor.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Front and rear air conditioning w/rear controls, interior air filter, tilt/telescopic steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats w/lumbar adjustment, 2nd-row bucket seats (7-passenger), 2nd-row 3-passenger split folding seat (8-passenger), 3rd-row stowable split folding seat, power mirrors, power front windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, digital-media player connection, tachometer, variable-intermittent wipers, conversation mirror, rear defogger, intermittent rear wiper/washer, automatic-off headlights.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

215/65R16 tires, wheel covers.

LE adds to CE:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Steering-wheel radio controls, cruise control, fold-flat front-passenger seat, power rear-door and rear-quarter windows, heated power mirrors, AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer, illuminated visor mirrors.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, rear privacy glass, roof rack, AWD adds: all-wheel drive, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, windshield-wiper deicer, 225/60R17 run-flat tires, alloy wheels.

XLE adds to LE:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Tri-zone automatic climate controls (including rear controls), leather-wrapped steering wheel, 8-way power driver seat, 4-way power passenger seat, power sliding rear doors, power liftgate, removable center console, rear radio controls, trip computer, outside-temperature indicator, compass, universal garage door opener, automatic headlights.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Alloy wheels, AWD adds: all-wheel drive, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, windshield-wiper deicer, 225/60R17 run-flat tires.

XLE Limited adds to XLE:

Safety

Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, front- and rear-obstacle-detection system.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather upholstery, heated front seats, memory system (driver seat, mirrors), woodgrain/leather-wrapped steering wheel, power folding heated mirrors w/turn signals, power sunroof, JBL sound system, wireless cell phone link, automatic day/night rearview and outside mirrors, 2nd- and 3rd-row sunshades, windshield-wiper deicer.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Fog lights, 225/60R17 tires, AWD adds: all-wheel drive, 225/60R17 run-flat tires.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
CE Extra Value Pkg. 1
CE	$285	$257
Cruise control, roof rack.

LE Extra Value Pkg. 1
FWD LE	$205	$185
AWD LE	$390	$351
Power sliding passenger-side door, 8-way power driver seat, information display, universal garage door opener.

LE Extra Value Pkg. 2
FWD LE	$425	$383
AWD LE	$610	$549
LE Extra Value Pkg. 1 plus power sliding driver-side door.

Upgrade Pkg.
FWD LE	$3,665	$2,881
AWD LE	$3,045	$2,385
Rear-obstacle-detection system, DVD entertainment system, JBL sound system, wireless cell phone link, 115-volt power outlets, 225/60R17 tires (FWD), alloy wheels (FWD). Requires LE Extra Value Pkg. 1 or 2.

XLE Extra Value Pkg. 1
FWD XLE	$585	$527
AWD XLE	$770	$693
Leather upholstery, heated front seats, 2nd- and 3rd-row sunshades.

XLE Extra Value Pkg. 2
FWD XLE	$1,285	$1,157
AWD XLE	$1,470	$1,323
XLE Value Pkg. 1 plus power sunroof.

XLE Extra Value Pkg. 3
FWD XLE	$2,565	$2,309
AWD XLE	$2,750	$2,475
XLE Extra Value Pkg. 2 plus DVD entertainment system.

XLE Extra Value Pkg. 4
FWD XLE	$5,430	$4,887
AWD XLE	$5,615	$5,054
XLE Extra Value Pkg. 3 plus rear-obstacle-detection system, navigation system, rearview camera, JBL sound system, wireless cell phone link. Replaces std. in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer w/in-dash 4-disc CD changer.

Convenience Pkg.
XLE	$1,640	$1,312
Power sunroof, memory system (driver seat, mirrors), power-folding heated mirrors w/turn signals, automatic day/night rearview and outside mirrors.

Popular Pkg.
XLE	$2,680	$2,144
Power sunroof, DVD entertainment system, 115-volt power outlets.

XLE Limited Extra Value Pkg. 1
FWD XLE Limited	$495	$446
AWD XLE Limited	$680	$612
DVD entertainment system, 115-volt power outlets.

XLE Limited Extra Value Pkg. 2
AWD XLE Limited	$1,980	$1,782
FWD XLE Limited	$1,795	$1,616
XLE Limited Extra Value Pkg. 1 plus navigation system, rearview camera, wireless cell phone link. Replaces std. 6-disc CD/MP3 changer w/4-disc CD changer.

Towing Prep Pkg.
CE, LE, XLE, XLE Limited	$220	$176
Trailer-hitch receiver, wiring harness.

Safety
Rear-obstacle-detection system
XLE	$250	$200


Daytime running lights
CE, FWD LE	$70	$56
AWD LE, AWD XLE, XLE Limited	$40	$32
CE, FWD LE include wiper deicer.

Comfort and Convenience Features
Adaptive cruise control
XLE Limited	$1,115	$892


JBL sound system
XLE	$1,015	$761
Includes wireless cell phone link.

Power stowable 3rd-row seat
FWD XLE Limited	$750	$600


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Fog lights
FWD XLE	$180	$144
AWD LE	$150	$120
Includes daytime running lights. FWD XLE includes windshield wiper deicer.

Special paint
XLE, XLE Limited	$220	$187


225/60R17 tires
FWD XLE	$130	$104


Alloy wheels
FWD LE	$410	$328

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2008 Toyota Sienna Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Toyota Sienna 4-door van

Wheelbase, in.	119.3

Overall Length, in.	201.0

Overall Width, in.	77.4

Overall Height, in.	68.9

Curb Weight, lbs.	4270

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	148.9

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	20.0

Seating Capacity	8

Front Head Room, in.	42.0

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.9

Rear Head Room, in.	40.2

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	39.6

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	dohc V6

Size, liters/cu. in.	3.5 /211

Horsepower @ rpm.	266 @ 6200

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	245 @ 4700

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed automatic	17/23

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Toyota Sienna 4-door van

4WD Rollover	4

Front Impact, Driver	4

Front Impact, Passenger	5

Rollover Resistance	4

Side Impact, Driver	5

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	5

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	5/60,000	--

Bumper-to-bumper	3/36,000	--

Corrosion	5/unlimited	--

Free roadside assistance	None/--	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: USA

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive

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Also in the 2008 Toyota Sienna Review:

Toyota Sienna

Toyota Sienna Road Test

Toyota Sienna Prices & Equipment

Toyota Sienna Specs & Safety

Toyota Sienna Photos