2009 Toyota Sienna Consumer Reviews Page 3

Traded in '03 Odyssey or '09 Sienna XLE

Written by: carolynbe on 03/01/2009

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Sienna XLE 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

We just traded in our '03 Odyssey EX-L w/DVD for an '09 Sienna XLE w/ DVD & leather + xtras. I thought my Odyssey was the ultimate family friendly car but this is even better. The Sienna is very well thought out with lots of storage compartments scattered about. Very easy for 3rd row passengers to get into with tumble-forward 2nd row seats. The drive is very smooth and car like. With the Ody, I often felt there was a huge amount of car behind me. The Sienna is a significantly quieter inside than the Ody. All the seats are very comfortable. I really like the center console in the front row - it has a deep center storage bin that is perfect for the DVD headphones.

Favorite Features

Sonar parking assist, power rear hatch, auxiliary input for ipod, 3-zone A/C, all the storage cubbies! Shopping bag hooks in trunk, bluetooth, integrated sunshades for 2nd/3rd row, ability to store 3rd row without removing headrests.

Suggested Improvements

Would like it if driver could move seat a little lower, ability to turn off DVD from driver controls

25 out 25 people found this review helpful

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First minivan, some likes and dislikes

Written by: Patrick on 02/25/2009

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Sienna Limited 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan AWD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

First time minivan owner. I am very pleased with how the vehicle drives. It really feels like you are driving a car. The acceleration is acceptable, and feels sure taking corners. The amenities in the limited are substantial. The sound quality of the bluetooth technology is good. The nav system is not as intuitive as you would like, but I can live with that. The sound system is strong. The back up camera gives you a little more confidence when backing up. My two biggest complaints are the gas mileage (getting about 15 mpg which has some city, but mostly highway miles), and the side doors not stopping when something is in the way.

Favorite Features

The sound system and additional amenities. The driving feel. The cargo space.

Suggested Improvements

Be more realistic with mpg expectations. Make the side doors more sensitive to obstructions. Find a way to allow for the powered stowing of the 3rd row seats in the AWD.

10 out 10 people found this review helpful

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My 4th Sienna

Written by: Sienna Mom on 02/05/2009

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Sienna Limited 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan AWD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I love my Sienna! My friends can't believe that I traded in my BMW M3 for a minivan. Being a mom, family safety and comfort was at the forefront of my decision but I started to really like the aesthetics of the minivan. I was surprised at the turn radius and also the pep. I have to say that I cannot live without the remote sliding doors/trunk, AWD, DVD, and rear camera. I've been trading in my old Siennas for a new one every 2 years or so because I love them so much (not because I've had any problems with them). I keep changing colors and haven't yet decided which is my favorite yet. I love the AWD and run flat tires (makes me feel safer with the family on board).

Favorite Features

AWD, DVD/nav., keyless sliding doors/trunk, AWD, run flat tires, appearance, turn radius, visibility, instrumentation, did I mention AWD?

Suggested Improvements

More power... though you have to take this with a grain of salt since I drove a BMW M3 for years before being a mom. But more power can't be a bad thing.

4 out 13 people found this review helpful

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Great Family Car

Written by: Great Famly Car on 01/25/2009

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Sienna LE 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan AWD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

This is a great family car. It fits me, my wife, two kids and my in-laws. Go skiing a lot in Vermont. Drive frequently from NYC to Vermont. This is an amazing car in the snow (AWD option). The gas mileage is pretty bad, 16 miles per gallon. But, considering the size, seating capacity, and AWD, it's pretty good. I got the LE AWD no frills version and bought aftermarket leather seats. I recommend this minivan above all especially living in the northeast. I almost never plow or shovel my driveway. In 2 feet of snow, this baby comes in/out of garage like NOTHING!

Favorite Features

AWD, space.

Suggested Improvements

The gas mileage.

14 out 14 people found this review helpful

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Luxury mini-van

Written by: Eugene Coles on 01/18/2009

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Sienna Limited 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Just purchased my new mini-van yesterday. What a blast. I only have about 30 miles on the van at this point. The location of the instrument panel is ergonomically excellent. The option package is awesome, but requires some study to operate with aplomb. The interior looks Rolls like in quality; and fit and finish. The exterior styling is good but no match for the interior's Rolls look. The engine is more than adequate and powerful, and matches the transmission which is smooth as silk. I was really surprised by the tight turning radius of the vehicle. When driving this van, I automatically think I am in a luxury automobile costing tens of thousands more than the actual cost.

Favorite Features

It is difficult to pick out a favorite feature, when it is how this vehicle makes you feel by its very essence. That is it. My favorite feature is the essence of the mini-van. The total package is my favorite feature.

Suggested Improvements

Could Toyota do a buy one get one free deal. I am almost ready to trade my 2008 scion xB for another van.

4 out 8 people found this review helpful

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2009 Sienna AWD - Traded in 07 Odyssey

Written by: ConcordSienna on 12/29/2008

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Sienna LE 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan AWD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Just traded in our 07 Odyssey EXL-RES after 1 years use for the AWD option on the Sienna. We have approx. 500 miles on the Sienna. Over all the Sienna instrumentation/controls are much more intuitive, hated the Ody instr. Ody felt big and bulky but did give a very comfortable ride. Sienna's ride is a bit stiffer but much more responsive, gives the driver a better feel of control and is quite comfortable. Very good visibility. Heat on our Sienna is very poor in cold weather (>32F) and never seems to get comfortable in cold. We do all short hop drives and expected poor mileage but our 14 MPG is a bit ridiculous. Hope this will change after the break-in. Would not go back to the Odyssey.

Favorite Features

AWD, instrumentation, power, visibility and appearance.

Suggested Improvements

Get rid of the run flats or at least make them optional. There is room for a donut spare. I will be swapping out the run flats as soon as they are worn out. This was one of the main reasons we initially went with the Odyssey. Improve the heat and gas mileage.

18 out 21 people found this review helpful

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A solid feeling car but...

Written by: Beca on 12/07/2008

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Sienna XLE 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

We purchased a 2009 Sienna XLE in October. I never thought to ask if it was winterized. With the first dusting of snow I skidded around, and found out the antilock brakes do work. My windows are frozen shut, it is 20 degrees here, but will be getting much colder. So I came home and got into my 13 yr old Ford Windstar, that I did not slide and the windows are not frozen, even though it too is sitting outside. I guess the all "season tires" that are OE need replaced for the winter. And I will have to be sure it is winterized. The dealers said you can't special order. It seems that for $30,000 you shouldn't have to "settle

Favorite Features

Love the steering wheel controls and duel climate control controls.

Suggested Improvements

It would be nice to be able to purchase the options you want. I wanted cloth seats, but ended up with leather. I would have bought an LE but didn't like the front tray used instead of the console. OE tires that are truly all season. Lubricated locks and windows, as they shouldn't be frozen, yet.

16 out 27 people found this review helpful

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Expanding family, so . . . Sienna XLE

Written by: Fatguyinalittlecoat on 11/09/2008

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Sienna XLE 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

We looked at a lot of competitors, 3- row suvs, and felt this gave us the best compromise of function, mileage, features. It is a quiet, nicely put together ride. It came with the features (DVD, leather, power everything) we wanted. If you have kids and take frequent road trips, this is the way to go. We drove the Nissan, Honda (3x), had a Ford (loud), Mazda5, and checked out the Hyundai but felt this was the way to go after researching and testing. I really liked the Mazda5 but with 2 kids and 1 on the way, we decided a "full-size" minivan is what we needed.

Favorite Features

1) Dealer-installed DVD player/quiet ride. When the kids are watching a DVD using headphones, parents can actually talk. 2) Power doors/hatch. Crazy how lazy you get after getting used to it. 3) Storage areas, like the one in the door armrest.

Suggested Improvements

The Honda's 2nd row, center seat is pretty cool. An all-weather funk catcher in the back-back would be awesome. These are just nits, really it is a solid, well rounded ride that when I weighed everything (personal Toyota experience, $, features, space) this was an obvious choice.

25 out 26 people found this review helpful

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Love this van

Written by: cammie on 11/06/2008

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Sienna XLE 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

On a whim, I decided to see about upgrading our 2007 XLE with limited features to a fully loaded 2009 XLE. We lucked out and got a good deal on both the new van and a trade in. There are minor differences to performance which is nice. However,the upgrades are amazing and so worth it. I am loving my van. And the gas mileage is better on the new van than the 2007.

Favorite Features

bluetooth and back up camera!

Suggested Improvements

none yet!

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Great Ride

Written by: Raj on 10/08/2008

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Sienna XLE 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

After researching the Honda Odyssey and the Sienna, we decided on the Sienna. Just crossed the 1000+ mile mark and had the first oil change. Great ride from a 300 mile round trip with 4 people and loaded van. Mileage is in the 23 mpg range for combined driving. We also bought the extended warranty (too many electronic features with navi / DVD / rear camera / sensors that can go wrong) and the maintenance until 55k.

Favorite Features

Navi with rear camera, sensors and bluetooth phone, price, comfort for long trips, electric rear door etc

Suggested Improvements

None.

23 out 25 people found this review helpful

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