2010 Toyota Sienna - The Oppo micro review

"BJ" (benjamin-bignell) 09/27/2014 at 22:56 • Filed to: Toyota Sienna, oppo review, i should just buy a minivan already

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I rented a 2010 (or maybe 2011) Toyota Sienna for the day to take my daughter's birthday party to an activity. Here's my micro review.

The Good

The space, so much space. Seats 2 adults and 6 small children easily, has a large, deep cargo area, and plenty of cubbies and containers. It's a comfortable ride with decent seats and has enough power to mege and pass easily. The stereo is quite good (miles ahead of the blown out speakers in my Passat, anyways). Handling is generally well controlled, although unimpressive.

This model was equipped with dual power sliding doors, a nice touch but a bit unnerving because I'm sure someday my kids would lose their hands. There was also dual front climate control and a separate rear control.

A small centre-mounted screen showed a clear view from the backup camera, which was helpful although not entirely necessary.

The Bad

I mentioned that the handling was good, but it wasn't perfect. On the highway, the car would easily get pulled off track by "bowling alleys", not uncontrollably, but it was a bit disconcerting.

Rearwards visibility was a bit poor, which made parking a bit tricky. And the controls on the expansive centre console were spread far out and too flat, making some radio buttons hard to reach. It would help to have the dash turned slightly towards the driver.

And finally, the screen that showed the backup camera view also had an "eco" display which, strangely, indicated your inverse economy... The fuller the little bar, the less economically you are driving.

The Ugly

Nothing really, except for the act that I'm seriously wondering why I don't just get a minivan for my family of 5.

I have also realised that I'm spoiled by the nearly-instant easy power and flat torque curve that comes from the VW 2.0T in my Passat. I'd be hard pressed to give that up.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > BJ 09/27/2014 at 23:00

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My Mom's 2010 has the power doors. They have a safety feature where if they encounter any resistance while closing they'll stop and open back up.

BJ > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 09/27/2014 at 23:15

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I don't doubt it. That does nothing to keep me from worrying. Small kid hands are small and soft.