Mother Proof's view

The 2009 Toyota Sienna had me assessing the value of my soul. You see, I’m ready to sell it to Toyota for a Sienna minivan. “But wait, Sara,” you say. “You swore you’d never even remotely consider a minivan. What happened?” You also may be calling me a hypocrite under your breath. Or out loud.

Minivans have always been a disappointment to me, long before I even drove one. Yes, I know that form follows function with a minivan, but is that really the best we can do? Honestly? Let’s say I grant you the “form-follows-function” argument. Where’s the ride quality? Where’s the comfort factor? There’s no function, just lots of cavernous space and an uncomfortable ride. Come on, dazzle me with function! Come on; make a minivan so functional that I can’t say no. Make it drive and ride like the champion everyone says it is and maybe I’ll change my mind.

The Sienna has not only met my expectations but surpassed them, too. The Sienna doesn’t have the novelty features of some of its competitors, but what it does have is finesse. It doesn’t have trendy gadgets you might never use once you drive off the car lot, but it has major comfort with its lightly bolstered seats and controls that are within my reach. Remarkably, the Sienna isn’t roly-poly like other minivans. I can turn a corner and not worry about rolling over. Driving all day isn’t a chore, it’s a pleasure. The Sienna’s responsive steering and braking were a pleasant surprise, too. That’s some serious function! I found myself trying very hard not to consider the Sienna for my next car. My mind has been changed.

Exterior

The downside to the Sienna is that it still looks like a minivan. Granted, it’s a little sleeker and not as boxy as its competitors. It handled smoothly and had a great turning radius.

You should also know that the Sienna was L-O-N-G. At 201 inches long, it barely fit into my garage. There was no way to open the minivan’s liftgate after I closed the garage door, so you’ll want to check that if you’re considering the Toyota. The Sienna I tested had a power liftgate, which is such a dream. Power-sliding doors also became fast favorites with my family.

We tend to get button fatigue because the kids compete to open and close the power doors, windows and liftgate. Any button that can be pressed must be pressed at least 5,000 times by each kid whenever we get in or out of the car. Of course, each child has to be the last one to press it. This syndrome has decreased a little since my last minivan test drive. By the end of the Sienna test drive, we were successfully getting in and out of the car without incident. Sometimes the functional problem is with my family.

Anyway, when the kids weren’t competing for the title of Supreme Button Pusher, it was a breeze for them to get in and out of the Sienna with all those power doors. They couldn’t wait to open the doors themselves and get themselves buckled in. Fab.

A backup camera is not standard on the Sienna. Boo.

SENSE AND STYLE

Family Friendly (Not Really, Fair, Great, Excellent): Great

Fun-Factor (None, Some, Good Times, Groove-On): Good Times

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

Safety

There are four sets of Latch connectors! This is fabulous. The Sienna also has stability control with traction control and antilock brakes. There are front- and side-impact airbags as well as side curtain airbags, which protect passengers in all three rows.

The Sienna has child-safety locks for power-sliding doors and power windows. There’s also a jam protection function that prevents power-sliding doors, windows and moonroofs from closing when something is in the way.

I also loved the illuminated entry lights on the minivan’s exterior, so I don’t trip (or gunk up my pants). Follow that functionality, carmakers!

I do see a chink in Toyota’s armor. The Sienna scored a Poor rating in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s rear-end crash test.

Phew, I almost bought a minivan!

FAMILY LIFESTAGE

In Diapers: There are four sets of Latch connectors. I know, it’s awesome!

In School: There’s lots of room for the young ones and all of their friends.

Teens: It’s nice to ride in and nice for them to drive.