Toyota introduced the third generation of the Sienna minivan at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show, and it boasted a new presence with improved safety and comfort features.
Along the road, Toyota managed to understand the minivan users' desires and put offered them into one package. The Sienna was hardly able to conquer any design contest, but it definitely won many hearts from customers, being not only a true seven-seater but also the only AWD MPV for many years on the U.S. market.
Designers had a tough time when they penned the Sienna due to the complex car's architecture and the amenities that had to be placed inside. Thus, the car needed a short overhang with a tall front fascia that had to resemble the same design language as the rest of the Toyota range. Its slatted grille and the swept-back headlights looked similar to those installed on the Avalon. The wide and tall windscreen followed a steeper angle than the short hood. On the sides, the dual power-sliding doors provided a wide opening for easy ingress and egress.
Inside, the carmaker created a dashboard design with two distinct areas for the driver and the side passenger. Thus, the driver could focus more on driving and less on adjusting the cabin temperature. Yet, the sound system featured the volume button on the left side.
The Sienna's platform was not entirely new, and Toyota carried over the older V6 engine from the previous generation. Since it was a very trustworthy unit, nobody was concerned about it. Moreover, until the end of the third generation in 2020, it was the only mass-market minivan available with an all-wheel drive system.
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