3
0
Minivan; Built in USA
  • 4-door van
  • transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $2,400 – $7,000*


2000 Toyota Sienna XLE


1999 Toyota Sienna XLE


1998 Toyota Sienna XLE interior


1998 Toyota Sienna XLE


1998 Toyota Sienna XLE

Pros:
  • Standard antilock brakes
  • Build quality
  • Side airbags (LE, XLE)
Cons:
  • Fuel economy
  • Radio placement

Toyota had fired a blank with its old Previa, but hit the bull’s-eye with Sienna. Priced to compete with similarly equipped domestic rivals delivering better-than-expected power and economy, this highly refined new minivan is a formidable force and a must-consider on the used-minivan market.

Overview

Toyota’s replacement for the slow-selling Previa was meant to be a more serious contender for minivan sales. Based on the front-drive Camry sedan platform, Sienna came in a single body length with a standard V6 engine and 4-speed automatic transmission. Antilock brakes were standard, and a low-tire-pressure warning system included a light in the instrument panel. Front side airbags were installed in the midrange LE and upscale XLE, but not in the base CE minivan. Siennas seated seven on two front buckets, a middle-row bench (or two captain’s chairs), and a folding third-row split bench. That bench “tumbled” forward to provide additional cargo space. A passenger-side sliding door was standard on the CE and LE. Dual sliding doors went on the XLE, and were optional on LE. Siennas were assembled at the same Kentucky plant as Toyota’s Camry. Rivals included the Chevrolet Venture, Dodge Caravan, and Ford Windstar–soon to be joined by a new Honda Odyssey.

Yearly Updates

1999 Sienna
Several updates hit the Sienna in its second season, including a newly available power right-side sliding door. The base CE model came with one or two sliding side doors, while the LE and top-line XLE came with the pair. Daytime running lights were installed, along with auto-off headlamps. An optional second-row child safety seat now was available for the CE and LE. To help foil thieves, an engine immobilizer was integrated into the optional keyless entry/antitheft system.
2000 Sienna
Siennas now came with an in-dash CD player and steering-wheel radio controls. A new Sport option package for CE and LE models included running boards, a rear spoiler, and alloy wheels.
2001 Sienna
Sienna lost its base 3-door CE model in 2001. XLE gained dual power sliding side doors, and the engine gained 16 horsepower this year. All models got a revamped dashboard and optional front side airbags. Also new was a rear-seat video entertainment option and this minivan’s first antiskid system.
2002 Sienna
Toyota’s minivan got a new option package for 2002 that included an upgraded CD audio system and a host of interior amenities.
2003 Sienna
Sienna sees little change as Toyota readies a new model for ’04.

Engines

transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

Siennas all used the same powertrain: a 194-horsepower, dual-overhead-cam 3.0-liter V6 engine driving a 4-speed automatic transmission. Sienna gained 16 horsepower in 2001.

dohc V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.0/183
Engine HP 194-210
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 209-220
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic

 19/23

 19.4

Road Test

With several hundred pounds more weight to carry, the V6 that feels strong in a Camry feels merely adequate in a Sienna–and loses some of its snap with the air conditioning on. The transmission shifts smoothly and downshifts quickly for passing, so Sienna seldom feels underpowered. Acceleration time to 60 mph of 8.9 seconds affirms that opinion. Hard takeoffs induce mild steering-wheel tug that highlights the Sienna’s lack of traction control. We averaged 15.9 mpg. A long-term Sienna returned 19.4 mpg, including a substantial amount of highway driving. Toyota recommends premium fuel.

Suspension settings favor a smooth ride over sporty handling, but that’s appropriate for this type of vehicle. Bumps are absorbed with little impact, and body lean in turns is moderate for a minivan. Overall road manners are composed and predictable, though Sienna can feel a little nose-heavy when entering freeway on-ramps. Braking is swift and stable. Road and wind noise are subdued, leaving the cabin serene at highway speeds.

Sienna boasts a well-thought-out and pleasant cabin. The low floor makes it easy to climb in and out, yet the standard height-adjustable driver’s seat affords a commanding view of the road. Front seats are spacious. Second-row passengers do not have an abundance of leg room if the front seats are pushed very far back, but knee clearance is generally good even in the rear row. Actually, adults can be comfortable anywhere if no seats are moved fully aft. Climate controls are easily accessed, but the radio is mounted low and recessed into the dashboard, requiring a long look away from the road to reach while driving. Numerous storage bins and drink holders of various sizes handle interior storage nicely. There’s room for a double row of grocery bags in the back with all seats in place. The individual seats can be removed fairly easily though they’re heavy, so it’s a 2-person task. The tumble-folding rear seat makes it easy to expand the cargo area.

Ratings

Model Tested: 2001 Toyota Sienna XLE

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 5
50%
Fuel Economy - 5
50%
Ride Quality - 5
50%
Steering/Handling - 5
50%
Quietness - 5
50%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 7
70%
Room/Comfort Front - 7
70%
Room/Comfort Rear - 8
80%
Cargo Room - 9
90%

Other

Value - 6
60%

Total: 62

Specifications

4-door van
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
114.2 193.5 73.4 67.3
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
143.0 21.0 7
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
40.6 40.7 41.9 36.5
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 1999 Sienna 4-door van

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 5
100%
Front Passenger Injury - 5
100%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - 4
80%
Rear Passenger Injury - 5
100%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision 65
Injury 72
Theft 47

Trouble Spots

Brake noise
Description: Original brakes tend to groan and squeak. Replacement brake pads and rotors correct the problem. (1998)
Water leak
Description: Water leaks into trunk due to loose or missing air duct flaps. (1999-2001)
Windows
Description: If the window switch on the passenger side quits working, an improved replacement switch may remedy the problem. (1998-99)
Headlights
Description: The headlight-aiming specifications are inadequate on dark roads, so they have been revised to allow aiming one-inch higher. (1998-99)

Recall History

1998-03 Sienna
Description: For vehicles manufactured between August 7, 1997 and January 4, 2010 currently registered in or originally sold in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington District Of Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin The subject vehicles are equipped with the spare tire stowed under the vehicle. If the vehicle is operated in the cold climate regions of the United States where road salt is frequently used, water splashed backwards with high concentrations of road salt can reach the spare tire carrier and corrode the spare tire carrier assembly cable. The cable may break due to excessive corrosion and the spare tire may separate from the vehicle, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
2001 Sienna
Description: Front-subframe assembly was not adequately welded. This condition could cause failure of the assembly, increasing the risk of a crash.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on July 30, 2014.
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