Take your typical high-end 2012 Toyota Sienna Limited, add full-time all-wheel drive (AWD), and behold the Limited 7-Passenger AWD. Just think, all those bells and whistles, and this pretty minivan gets through snow and mud like a pro. Of course, 3 rows of seating come in every one of them, as well as 150 cubic feet of cargo space, second-row lounge seating with folding footrests and a 266-hp V6.
Standard appearance features include 18-inch alloy wheels, a power sunroof, a roof rack and rear spoiler, and a rear power liftgate. Inside, look for leather upholstery, heated power-adjustable captain’s chairs, those second-row lounge seats (which, alas, must be removed to take advantage of total cargo area), a power-folding third-row seat, memory for driver's settings and simulated wood and genuine leather cabin and steering wheel accents. Naturally, cruise control and telescoping tilt-wheel steering come standard, as does tri-zone climate control. Standard techno goodies, meantime, include Bluetooth hands-free communications, a universal garage door opener, front and rear parking sensors, and a rear-view camera. Finally, entertainment is presented via a 10-speaker JBL premium audio system with 4-CD changer, satellite radio and a USB port.
Look for such options as a navigation suite boasting Entune smartphone apps, rear-seat DVD entertainment, added cargo management tools, carpeted floor mats and roof rails, which can all be added on in various packages. Standalone options, meanwhile, include remote engine start and BLU Logic audio-interfaced hands-free communications, as well as a tow-hitch and wiring, and a spiffy lower body molding.
That V6 mentioned earlier boasts 3.5 liters, 266 hp and 245 lb-ft of torque, all under the management of a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission. A center limited-slip differential, meantime, referees the AWD system. With the proper equipment, Toyota’s top-shelf minivan sports 3,500 pounds of towing capacity, while mileage is estimated at 17 mpg city/23 highway.
With an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick award for 2012, let it not be said that the Sienna Limited 7-Passenger AWD isn’t family-perfect. Boasting Toyota’s Star safety System, this classy mini sports 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS) as well as traction and stability control. Occupant safety is assisted by front side-mounted airbags, 3-row head airbags, a driver’s-side knee airbag and front head-restraint whiplash protection. Daytime running lights, front fog/driving lights, turn-signal-integrated mirrors and a remote antitheft alarm all come standard, as well, while dynamic cruise control, blind-spot alerts, pre-collision brake preparation and high-intensity-discharge (HID) headlights with automatic hi-lo beams are each an optional safety feature.
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