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Review of the 2009 Toyota Sienna

2009 Toyota Sienna

Price Range $24,540 to $37,865

suitable for: Diapers
School
Teens

16 to 17
City MPG

21 to 23
Hwy MPG

7 Seats
3 Rows
4 Latch Connectors
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Interior

With a tilt/telescoping steering wheel and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, it was easy to get comfortable and have everything within reach. In other minivans, I often feel that they’re made for tall people with long arms. It’s frustrating when I can’t reach the controls or the rearview mirror without leaning forward. Then you have to sit back and see if the mirror’s adjusted properly, and then lean forward to fix it again. Then back again. You get the picture. The center stack was angled toward the driver, which kept everything close at hand. How functional!

The captain’s chairs in the second row were a hit with the kids, but they mostly sat in the third row because it was a novelty. Here’s something slick: The center console that sits between the driver and passenger seats can be swapped out and placed between the second-row seats. You can move the storage where you need it most. In place of the console, you can set up a tray table that has extra cupholders. There also are two glove boxes in the front. Now that’s functional storage, my friends.

Speaking of functional storage, the third row’s seat is split 60/40, and it folds completely flat into the floor to create massive amounts of cargo space. Not only that, the third row has two sets of Latch connectors. Add that to the two more sets of Latch connectors, and you get a grand total of four sets of Latch connectors in the Sienna.

Add to all this functionality a little formality with faux wood trim, carpeted floor mats and heated seats and this pampered mom is happy. The entertainment system was a pain to use at first (operator issues, not so much the system itself), but I got used to it. There are AUX jacks for video games if the kids don’t want to watch a movie on the entertainment system. It also had an AUX jack for my iPod along with a great storage spot that kept the cords from straying all over the van. There’s also a purse hook/grocery bag hook on the passenger side of the center stack. It’s brilliant and functional. I want one.

Did I just say that out loud?

IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT

Storage Compartments (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Galore
Cargo/Trunk Space (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Galore

shopping around: At cars.com

key interior: Features

    ● 10 cupholders, four bottle holders
    ● Dual glove boxes
    ● Split & Stow third-row seat
    ● Movable center console

available interior: Colors

  • Stone
  • Taupe

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