Used 2012 Toyota Sienna for Sale nearChicago, IL

The 2012 Toyota Sienna is fresh off a 2011 redesign, but still manages to brighten up a bit for its sophomore year. That means Toyota’s Blue Harmony Bluetooth system is newly optional for LE, SE and XLE trims. The Blue Harmony feature allows voice or touchscreen control of music, navigation, email and web services like Pandora, Facebook and Flickr. The sport-themed SE trim now gets the SE Preferred Package standard, offering roof rails, tri-zone automatic climate controls and a multi-function steering wheel. You’ll also get a power liftgate, front center console, rear window shades and an upgraded stereo to integrate satellite radio, an iPod interface and Bluetooth. Finally, the XLE gets a power front passenger seat to match the driver’s unit as well as automatic headlights.

So the Base trim remains the same for 2012, still powered by a 187-hp, 2.7-liter engine that has proven capable if not impressive. The LE gets the same, although both can utilize the option of a 3.5-liter V6 that comes standard in higher trims. Regardless, all Sienna trims get a 6-speed automatic transmission that can deliver a modicum of efficiency – anywhere from 19 mpg city/26 highway for a FWD 4-cylinder Sienna to 16/22 for an AWD-equipped trim with the V6.

The Sienna can be configured for 7 or 8 passengers, with optional class-exclusive second-row “Lounge” seating – spinning leather recliners with fold-out ottomans for leg and foot support, although this is optional only for Limited and XLE trims with AWD. Without the swanky lounge seating, the Sienna still boasts 23 inches of forward mobility for second-row seats, giving nearly 2 feet of extra room for third-row passengers. In fact, luxury seemed to be a priority for Toyota last year as it added features like a dual-view, wide-screen DVD entertainment system, panoramic rear-view camera, front and rear park assist and more. Certainly not the usual fare for a minivan. All this and the Sienna still offers a maximum towing capacity of 3500 pounds.

Safety wasn’t ignored – it’s Toyota after all – and you’ll get plenty of it standard by way of traction and stability control, dual front, front-side, full-length curtain-side and driver-knee airbags, 4-wheel assisted antilock disc brakes and daytime running lights.

As any waiter will tell you, small change adds up – and the same is true for cars. After a substantial redesign in 2011, the Sienna gets only slight tweaks in 2012, but it certainly speaks to Toyota’s commitment to providing exactly what the consumer is looking for. A minivan is never going to be sexy, but what it can be is extremely functional. With additions like voice control for so many features, entertainment and climate controls can be adjusted to keep finicky children happy without having to take eyes off the road. By matching power for both driver and front passenger, no one has to feel slighted by riding shotgun. Small changes, big reverberations. But it’s still a minivan.