2011 Toyota Sienna Spied again!

Uh oh. I hear foot steps....





Earlier this year our spy photographers spotted “test mules” of the next-generation Sienna minivan. While most of the sheet metal was from the current Sienna body, it had been heavily modified around the hood, front fender and the entire rear quarter panel – making room for the new chassis underneath.

There was good reason for all this hacking; a new chassis is underneath. For the 2011MY, the Sienna will join the Camry, Prius, Rav4, Venza, Highlander and many more on Toyota’s ultra-flexible “MC” platform.

However, these newest photos appear to be an early running prototype – which explains the yards of camouflage covering every inch of the sheetmetal. Unfortunately our shooter was caught off-guard with the sudden appearance of a Toyota convoy and only had time to grab his cell phone/camera – but “some pictures are better than no pictures.”

While the final styling remains a mystery, some cues from the 2006 Toyota F3R concept may make it into production. Production of the ‘11 Sienna will start in January of 2010 at Toyota’s Princeton, Indian plant — the plant formerly charged with Tundra production.

Source;
http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6083367512949069458

Next Gen 2011 Toyota Sienna Spied

The next Sienna is planned for a debut sometime this fall with sales following in 2010 and it's going to be bringing the heat. It will wear styling borrowed from the Camry and the 2010 Prius, but it's more the inside which will cause heartburn to the competitors with rumored features in the top-shelf model like Lay-Z-Boy-style reclining captains chairs complete with leg rests as well as a novel, extra-wide single video screen. Think of it like a 20:9 aspect ratio television screen, and the suspicion is the unit will run two video sources simultaneously. Should be interesting to see how it goes up against Chrysler's bread-and-butter minivans, one of the few product lines we're positive someone would snap up if Cerberus decides to chop Chrysler up and sell off the pieces. (Thanks for the pics Brian)

Source;
http://jalopnik.com/5215216/2011-toyota-sienna-first-egg+shaped-look

Car & Driver Magazine Honda Odyssey VS Toyota Sienna VS '08 Dodge Grand Caravan VS Nissan Quest VS Hyundai Entourage LTD

Another comparison test for Car And Driver Magazine Online, another 1st place finish for Honda.

1st Place Finish: 2007 Honda Odyssey EX-L

Car & Driver Summary

Highs: The most confident steering, the best front seats, great instrument cluster, nifty second-row mother-in-law seat. Lows: Narrow passage to third row, fairly loud inside when cruising, body quivers more than most others on bumps. Verdict: Once golden in the class, now a golden oldie.

Here is the write up;

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/14142/2007-honda-odyssey-ex-l.html

2nd Place Finish: 2007 Toyota Sienna LE

Car and Driver Summary

Highs: Disciplined and quiet V-6, good passing power, creamy shifts, quiet interior, best second-row seats. Lows: High effort to fold second- and third-row seats, boring to look at even for a minivan. The Verdict: Rolling anonymity.

Write up;

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/14145/2007-toyota-sienna-le.html

3rd Place Finish; 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT

Car and Driver Summary

Highs: More stowage possibilities than your local mini-storage, strong V-6, quiet inside, pinpoint overhead reading lamps. Lows: Too much Jeep Commander in the shape, rickety center console, rather bleak interior materials. The Verdict: Can’t beat the clever packaging inside.

Write up;

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/14147/2008-dodge-grand-caravan-sxt.html

4th Place Finish: 2007 Nissan Quest SL

Car and Driver Summary

Highs: High-fashion shape, kneeling second row, low step into the coach cabin, wide passage to the third row. Lows: Third row not split, side-door windows don’t go down, long reach to radio and HVAC buttons, no footrest. The Verdict: Out of step and charming for it.

Write up;

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/14150/2007-nissan-quest-sl.html

5th Place Finish: 2007 Hyundai Entourage Limited

Car and Driver Summary

Highs: Lots of frills for your dough, center-stack controls up where you can see them, sweet-sounding engine. Lows: Wheel is Armor All slippery, torque steer in first gear, stiff-legged on rough roads, narrow entry to the third row. The Verdict: Another good deal from Hyundai.

Write up;

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/14151/2007-hyundai-entourage-limited.html

Here is the link to the whole article;

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/14141/07-entourage-v-07-quest-v-08-grand-caravan-v-07-sienna-v-07-odyssey.html