Toyota is betting big that people aren’t sick of the minivan just yet, and backing it up with more than just words. The newest iteration of the Sienna, its third generation, gets fresh styling inside and out, a wealth of new options, an entirely new sport trim level, and optional four-cylinder power for 2011.

It’s a bold strategy, to say the least, but if it fails, at least no one will be able to say it was for lack of trying. The 2011 Toyota Sienna comes in five trim levels, everything from the economical Base to the luxurious Limited and the sporty SE. It has two capable and efficient engines and remains the sole minivan with available all-wheel drive (AWD). It’s also enjoyed a redesign inside and out for 2011, with a body that is both wider and shorter on an identical wheelbase from last year, offering additional interior room. If that weren’t enough, the sporty SE trim gets a unique front fascia and interior design, aggressive body molding, and smoked rear taillamps, as well as 19-inch alloys and a lowered, sport-tuned suspension. It’s a bit stiffer than the base system, and reverberates inconsistencies with greater conviction, but it also combats roll and lean well, fulfilling at least part of Toyota’s promise to deliver a minivan that’s fun to drive.

New-for-2011 standard fully electronic steering offers increased efficiency by removing load from the engine, but some testers have felt it has an over-assisted feel. Additional new options for 2011 include a widescreen, dual-view DVD entertainment system and a panoramic rearview camera. Couple that with front/rear park assist, and the Sienna offers as much luxury and convenience as some European sedans.

Base and LE trims are powered by a 187-horsepower, 2.7-liter, four-cylinder engine that offers ample power for family duty and around-town driving. Optional in those trims and standard in all others is a 266-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6, and both engines come solely with a six-speed automatic transmission. EPA estimates range from 19/26 mpg for a front-wheel-drive four-cylinder Sienna to 16/22 for a trim with the V6 and AWD. Surprisingly, the Sienna also offers a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, more than enough to tow the boat on family vacations.

With the option of a 7- or 8-passenger configuration, the Sienna offers several seating options, including special second-row captain’s chairs for the Limited and AWD XLE trims, which Toyota calls "Lounge Seating." These leather recliners even offer leg and foot support from a fold-out ottoman, and even the standard seating offers 23 inches of forward mobility, enough to make third-row passengers forget they’re in the third row.

Will Toyota single-handedly keep the minivan on our streets? That depends on whether the changes made to the 2011 Sienna are enough to entice a whole new group of consumers to drive a vehicle that offers all the negatives of a sedan AND a truck, with none of the benefits in terms of ride quality and off-road capability. All we can say is, good luck.