2008 Toyota Sienna Is Only Family Van To Offer All-Wheel Drive

The Toyota Sienna brings the Toyota quality and safety standard to the competitive family van segment and offers one of the only all-wheel drive family vans on the market. The 2008 Sienna is powered by a 266-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine, making it one of the most powerful family vans available, as well.

The wide choice of model grades, combined with extensive standard equipment and thoughtful features, makes Sienna a truly outstanding value. The Sienna is available in four model grades: CE, LE, XLE, and the top-of-the-line Limited. All four come in front-wheel drive configuration, and the LE, XLE, and Limited also offer all-wheel-drive. The CE and LE are available in both seven- and eight-passenger configurations; others are seven-passenger models.

A 119.3-inch wheelbase gives Sienna exceptional interior room and a smooth ride. The 36.8-foot turning circle is tighter than for some midsize cars, helping to make the Sienna easily maneuverable.

Sienna remains the only family van to offer an all-wheel drive option. The AWD system employs a center differential to divide engine power 50:50 front and rear. Wheel slippage at either set of wheels automatically transfers more power to the opposite wheels to help keep the Sienna moving forward.

The Sienna's standard DOHC 3.5L V6 produces 266 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 245 lb.-ft. peak torque at 4,700 rpm. A Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (Dual VVT-i) system operates on both the intake and exhaust valves to ensure optimal performance and efficiency at all engine speeds. The V6 is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission with intelligence (ECT-i). Impressive acceleration gives Sienna the power to merge with confidence. Fuel economy remains excellent for the class, with EPA city/highway gas mileage estimates of 17/23 mpg for front-wheel-drive models and 16/21 mpg for all-wheel-drive models.

Focus on Comfort and Versatility
Sienna delivers exceptional passenger and cargo room, with a focus on intelligent space optimization. The dashboard-mounted gated shifter allows pass-through room between the front seats. Sienna offers two distinctly different second-row seating options that are easy to adjust, tumble, or remove. In its seven-passenger configuration, Sienna features second-row captains chairs with a passenger-side chair that can be repositioned side-to-side, offering either a bench or a bucket arrangement.

The Sienna CE and LE grades offer an eight-passenger configuration. A second-row, three-way split/folding bench includes a Front and Center middle seat that can be moved nearly 13 inches closer to the front seats, making infants and toddlers in child-seats more accessible to the front passenger. All Sienna models are equipped with a standard versatile 60/40 Split & Stow 3rd Row^TM bench seat that folds flat into the floor. Either side of the seat can be stowed separately with low-effort, one-hand operation. With the entire rear seat stowed and the second-row seats removed, four-by-eight foot sheets of plywood can be loaded flat onto the floor.

The Sienna Limited 2WD model offers a power-operated third-row version that makes switching from carrying people to cargo even easier. The LCD screen for the available rear seat entertainment system measures nine inches. In addition, a universal mini-jack port standard on all audio systems allows connectivity to most portable music players.

Sienna delivers a wide range of standard amenities. The Sienna XLE and Limited models respond to the growing demand for even higher levels of comfort and luxury to the minivan segment, with the Limited adding standard leather-trimmed upholstery, a 10-speaker premium sound system, heated front seats and other features.

An available DVD-based satellite navigation system for XLE and Limited models includes a backup camera. The camera automatically projects an image of what its lens can detect behind the vehicle onto the navigation system's LCD screen when reverse gear is engaged.