2011 Toyota Sienna Base 3.5L V6 from North America
Summary:
Sienna is THE best of all
Faults:
Nothing yet, flawless.
General Comments:
- Bought the Sienna, end of November 2010 with 9 kilometers on the speedo.
- Had a Pontiac Montana and Dodge Grand Caravan before, and the Toyota Sienna is way better hands down.
- Never been to dealer yet as I did with others after few kilometers.
- Pulling and hauling with the 3.5L is almost a breeze; almost not feeling it compared with others. The transmission works really well, and by the temp. gauge, the engine stays cooler on very hot days, where the Dodge was sometimes near the red zone, and I had to change three times their lousy trans. I must confess that I'm little anxious how much it would cost a for 6 speed trans. Hope it will be bulletproof or malfunction while guaranteed.
- Believe or not, I have reached with the help of cruise control at 62 MPH (100 km/h), 39 miles per Canadian gallon!
- Almost bought a Honda Odyssey, but when I learned (they won't tell you unless you asked!) that all of their V6s have timing belts, NOPE, changed my share of 'em, that sent me to try the Sienna and I was hooked! Also my girlfriend loves it, a big plus!!
- Only one thing that will take me a longer time to get use to, is that the steering wheel doesn't tilt down enough for me to be comfortable on long trips, even if I sit higher.
- Critics say too much plastic, but what level is too much? I've seen other vans who also have plastics; I'm no expert to tell which one has more plastics than others, but there's plenty on others too!
- The Toyota V6 is so smoooooth, and very responsive with more than enough torque. Didn't meet or hear one slapping like I've seen on YouTube, and I've seen many!
- I'm pretty confident that the Toyota 3.5L will be more durable and reliable than the others that I've had, and by the comments of some over here, it's looking good!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 11th October, 2011
2nd Nov 2011, 18:15
At work, 2 friends of mine have vans; one has an Odyssey 2002, and the other a Sienna 2001, and both have over 300000 KM, but the 2nd transmission died on the Odyssey last week, and he told me that he's not going to replace it, because the van worth less than the 3400$ price tag for a rebuilt transmission, and he told me that he also has to think of its second timing belt, water pump, tensioner replacement at the price of over 1400$.
I am glad that I bought a 2011 Sienna, as I heard that some Odysseys still have transmission issues and still have timing belts on their V6s. For now the 2001 Sienna still has its original trans., and besides normal wear and maintenance, he has had no problems. Now the Odyssey is for sale, but he's not dreaming, because nobody wants an Odyssey without a transmission, but the scrap yard.