 2011 Toyota Sienna LE 4-cylinder. Click image to enlarge |
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2011 Toyota Sienna
The first question you might ask about Toyota’s new four-cylinder Sienna minivan is, “Does it have enough power, or should I opt for the V6 engine?” Nobody wants a big minivan that can’t keep up.
The short answer is, “Yes, the 2011 Sienna’s new 187-hp 2.7-litre four-cylinder has adequate oomph, but it won’t impress you like Toyota’s rorty 266-hp 3.5-litre V6 will.” A recent Consumer Reports’ acceleration test of both four- and six-cylinder Siennas revealed zero to 60 mph times of 10.3 seconds and 8.8 seconds, respectively. CR rated the four-banger’s performance “Good” and the V6s “Very Good”.
Naturally, the four-cylinder Sienna offers better fuel economy, but not as good as you might expect. According to the EPA’s “real-world” fuel consumption guide, the four-cylinder Sienna manages better fuel economy in the city: 12.4 L/100 km vs 13.1 L/100 km, but gets the same fuel economy on the highway: 9.8 L/100 km.
 2011 Toyota Sienna LE 4-cylinder. Click image to enlarge |
None of this would deter us from recommending the four-cylinder Sienna, but there’s one thing that will give many buyers pause: the Sienna LE V6 ($28,900) is only one-thousand dollars more than the LE four-cylinder ($27,900). That’s not much for an extra 79 horsepower, improved engine smoothness and cabin quietness.
Still, the Sienna four-cylinder model, which only comes in LE trim, does have its advantages; it comes with the same standard equipment as the LE V6 – in fact, it offers a few extra features that the LE V6 doesn’t have.
 2011 Toyota Sienna LE 4-cylinder. Click image to enlarge |
Standard on both LE vans are seven cloth seats, second row captain’s chairs with unique clamshell design for easier entry to the third row; fold-into-the-floor split third row seats, dual sliding rear side doors, air conditioning with separate second row fan and temperature controls and pollen filter, AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA stereo with four speakers, auxiliary jack and XM satellite radio ready, three 12-volt outlets, power first and second row side windows with auto up/down and jam protection on all windows, power door locks and keyless entry, cruise control, variable intermittent wipers, tilt/telescopic steering wheel, and power heated mirrors.
 2011 Toyota Sienna LE 4-cylinder. Click image to enlarge |
As well, four and six-cylinder LE models come with a standard six-speed automatic transmission with transmission oil cooler, stability and traction control, 17-inch all-season tires with alloy wheels, and four wheel disc brakes with ABS and brake assist.
The four-cylinder LE also includes easy-clean cloth seat fabric, an overhead console storage box with sunglasses holder and convex mirror so you can keep an eye on the kids in the back; illuminated entry, body-coloured door handles, chrome grille surround, rear bumper protector, and door sill scuff plates.
So as well as being $1,000 less, the LE four-banger offers a little more value.
