The Sienna is a modern minivan from Toyota that combines classic minivan features such as ample space and seating for the entire family with a sleek modern look and feel.
Toyota took a while to get the hang of the minivan market. The predecessor to the Sienna was the Previa, which was much maligned for its unusual egg-shaped body and tiny engine. The first Sienna, introduced in 1998, was smaller and more conventional looking. Based on the Camry platform, it was praised for its handling, but lacked many of the advanced features that the best-selling vans had, like traction control and a rear sensor.
Subsequent Siennas became more advanced, offering new features like eight-passenger seating and a "kid view" mirror. The Sienna was redesigned for the 2006 model year and has even more advanced features, like Bluetooth connectivity. Toyota's minivan has raced to the top of the pack, and is now one of the best-selling vans in the U.S.
The Sienna is due to be completely overhauled in 2010, but Toyota watchers suspect the Sienna name may be dropped. The Sienna has made appearances in popular culture, including a starring role in the Discovery Channel show "Cash Cab."
