2005 Toyota Sienna

Toyota had a rough start in the American minivan market, competing with small, decidedly Japanese models against the larger, boxy domestic purveyors that defined the segment. Finally, the first-generation Sienna brought Toyota into the fray, sharing platform and powertrain--and resultant refinement--with the beloved Camry, but the Sienna still trailed the leaders slightly in size. For the current Sienna, Toyota analyzed its competition and unashamedly adopted all the best elements and technologies from those vehicles into a single, quality vehicle engineered to a high standard. Launched as a 2004 model, the current Sienna doesn't need to make apologies, boasting the size, power, flexibility, and features required to stand tall in this mature market segment. Available in CE, LE, XLE, and XLE Limited models, the well-executed Sienna can be had as a basic family hauler or loaded with Lexus-grade premium content.

The Sienna's new creases and angles are a great improvement over the styling of the first-generation van. Roll-down windows in the sliding rear doors are a fun new feature, as the kids in back will have a much easier time signaling truckers to honk their horns. That should be enough entertainment to postpone the "are we there yets" for awhile. The standard 16-inch steel wheels aren't as sad looking as some competitors', but upgrading to an LE model with optional aluminum wheels brings a more upscale presence, with notable features such as a roof rack, privacy glass, and heated side mirrors.

The Sienna's interior design screams "Toyota" as loudly as the exterior. It's not as handsome as that of the Honda Odyssey, but it approaches Lexus-like in top trim. The gear selector is sensibly located in the middle of the center stack, and directly above that are user-friendly climate controls. Drivers with short arms may complain that the high-mounted stereo controls are hard to reach; Toyota might consider swapping the radio and vent positions.

As you move up toward the Sienna's near-$40,000 maximum price, the list of interior options grows longer than a McDonald's order from six hungry soccer-game-winning passengers. This list includes leather, a number of seating options--adjustable bench seats, sliding captain's chairs, and eight-passenger configurations--a 10-speaker sound system, in-dash CD changer, satellite navigation, DVD entertainment system (with handy power and A/V jacks), a moonroof, heated seats, park assist with a rear camera display on the navigation screen, and sun shades for both the middle and rear windows. The third row of seats conveniently splits and folds flat into the floor.