LA 2009: 2011 Toyota Sienna could wear a Lexus badge

[HighestOfHigh]

When the new third-generation 2011 Toyota Sienna shows up in dealerships next February, parents should head straight to their closest dealer after dropping the kids at soccer. Notice we didn't say "Moms." We said "parents." Although other minivan makers have attempted to butch up their people movers in the past, those efforts have been mostly lamentable. Toyota, on the other hand, has actually made a van (there's nothing mini about this new Sienna) that arguably looks sporty enough to chip away at the undeserved mommy-mobile stigma of the class. Don't let that purse tray dissuade you.

And if NASCAR dads drag their feet a bit before heading over to trade in the old Previa or Chevrolet Suburban, they may choose the sportier SE in the showroom come April. While even the base Sienna will boast a design theme that looks surprisingly assertive, the SE adds an aggressive body kit and 19-inch six-spoke wheels to go with its stiffer suspension and remapped transmission programming. There's also a different grille and clear tail lamps. Unfortunately, there won't be a TRD supercharger underhood or even a cold air intake or freer-flowing exhaust to up the power, but on looks alone, this thing might have what it takes to broaden the appeal of minivans to the XY set.

Debuting at the LA Auto Show today, the 2011 Sienna looks like a more macho 2009 Sienna cross-bred with Toyota's Venza crossover. The family resemblance is striking, particularly from the rear. Nifty details are to be found all around – things like the cleverly hidden high-mounted rear wiper. Toyota promises that this third-generation Sienna will also drive more like a sedan while still swallowing people and cargo with equal ease.

We've had an advanced in-person look at this model, and the seven or eight people who find themselves filling the seats inside this new Sienna figure to be impressed by the Lexus-like interior with its new three-tone color scheme, ample use of wood, and clever luxury touches. Particularly "wow" inducing are the wooden swoosh across the dash, the second row seats with their integrated retractable leg rests that slide a long way forward to grant access to the power-operated 60/40 Split & Stow third row, and the 16-inch dual view LCD screen for rear seat entertainment. Yes, sixteen.

Built on a revised version of the outgoing platform, the 2011 Sienna has the same wheelbase but is slightly shorter, lower and wider than its predecessor. It will be available in five different trim levels: Sienna grade, LE, SE, XLE and Limited. All-wheel-drive will still be available on V6-powered LE, XLE and Limited models. That V6 is the same 3.5-liter Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) unit available today, with 266 horsepower. The engine is stout enough to give the Sienna a 3,500-pound tow capacity while returning mileage of 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. Also available in Sienna and LE will be the VVT-i 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine with 187 horses and a slight bump in mileage to 19/26.

We'll have lots to say about this new Sienna after our first drive in a couple of weeks, but for now, you can read more about it in the press release we've pasted after the jump and check out high-res shots in our gallery below.

- LA 2009: 2011 Toyota Sienna could wear a Lexus badge — Autoblog

 

[Giannis]

Wow, those rear seats are fantastic!

PS. Never though that I would say such a thing about a Toyota

 

[Shining Star]

Wow! Nice interior!

 

[Gullwing]

Think of words to discribe how it looks... yup that is it.
Why did they need to put an upside down pipe on the dash?

 

[HighestOfHigh]

 

[NarutoRamen]

Well, besides the hideous center console, the rest of this van is good. Coming from a house that has owned many minivans, this is really good. Especially those rear seats. Great for long journeys.

 

[Monster]

Yeah whatever Toyota/Lexus, when are they going to stop doing this sorta half arsed rebadging?

 

[Mr Robert]

Yeah whatever Toyota/Lexus, when are they going to stop doing this sorta half arsed rebadging?

Never?

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Regardless of Rebaging the car looks outstanding for a Minivan.

 

[LaArtist]

Wow look at that tv..talk about widescreen..
everyone looks like danny devito on there..

PS
A very nice van..i want it for a couple of weeks..throw my cousins in there and go on a Euro roap trip

 

[Shining Star]

Swagger wagon....

 

[adeel2010]

Putting all Toyota/Lexus hatred aside, that's a NICE van!!
I have a town and country, and in comparison, this blows it out of the water.
I can just imagine how awesome those rear seats will be for long trips.

 

[Centurion]

The video does a great job diverting attention away from the recall crisis.

 

[Kowalski]

I hate minivans.

 

[Floydian]

Wow, those rear seats are fantastic!

PS. Never though that I would say such a thing about a Toyota

Yes the seats are nice but that dash is awful

 

[Bartek S.]

Wow… it deserves a Geely badge.

 

[ZicZachZo]

Nice to see the third row passengers get treated like THIRD class passengers. No leather, looks like a cheap taxi bench. Must be the punishment section for the kids.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

How utterly absurd. For what is supposedly the most sophisticated consumer market out there, the American car buying public must be rather thick if they keep falling for this Toyota re-badging bullshit. Fair enough the styling and interior looks like some foul hybrid of Toyota's and Lexus's current styling themes, but if they tried this sort of half arsed re-badging in markets such as Europe and Australia etc. the Lexus badge would lose quite a bit of whatever credibility it does have.

At least when MB and BMW delivered their minivans (r-class and 5-GT) what they offered is relatively bespoke. This thing probably drives like a Toyota would too.

 

[mentir]

Can't believe I'm about to "defend" a Toyota Minivan of all things, but the article's headline is misleading...

How utterly absurd. For what is supposedly the most sophisticated consumer market out there, the American car buying public must be rather thick if they keep falling for this Toyota re-badging bullshit. Fair enough the styling and interior looks like some foul hybrid of Toyota's and Lexus's current styling themes, but if they tried this sort of half arsed re-badging in markets such as Europe and Australia etc. the Lexus badge would lose quite a bit of whatever credibility it does have.

I was confused at first by the article's poorly constructed headline. This isn't destined for re-badging. The author is trying to make the point that this Toyota is as nice and luxurious as a Lexus. It is poorly worded, since the headline at first glance makes it seem like Toyota is considering re-badging the car as a Lexus.

Nice to see the third row passengers get treated like THIRD class passengers. No leather, looks like a cheap taxi bench. Must be the punishment section for the kids.

The third row appears upholdersted in the same leather as the other seats, as seen in the pictures. The backs of the third row seats are carpeted, because they fold flat.

 

[Beemer B773ER]

How utterly absurd......

Not sure what distant galaxy you reside in now, but where do you see a Lexus minivan? .... this IS a Toyota..and is badged a Toyota.

the American car buying public must be rather thick if they keep falling for this Toyota re-badging bullshit.

What re-badging bullshit are you referring to? You mean how Lexus products share a lot with their Toyota counterparts? ... no different to VW and Audi.

but if they tried this sort of half arsed re-badging in markets such as Europe and Australia etc.

Having lived in Australia between 1990 and 2008..and now past year and half in USA, I think you're letting your negative bias towards Toyota get the better of you. Toyota is the strongest brand over there, and they're having no problems selling those same re-badged bullshit Lexus vehicles that they sell in America. ....and VW and Audi aren't facing any problems either. No loss of credibility whatsoever.