The Toyota Sienna Minivan is among the best picks of family sized vehicles in the US auto market. The 2012 model of the Sienna is better than any of its predecessors as the Toyota team did a great job of correcting various flaws that emerged over time, and added a few new features to revamp the driving experience of the minivan.
The 4 models of the Toyota Sienna 2012 are the ‘LE’, with 2.7l and the 3.5l engine capacities, the Toyota Sienna ‘XLE’ 8 passenger minivan and lastly the ‘SE’ version.
The Toyota Sienna is a practical all-wheel drive minivan with the capability to easily carry 8 passengers.
The Toyota Sienna AWD LE
The Toyota Sienna AWD ‘LE’ model of the minivan has a 2.7 liter inline four cylinder engine with 6-speed shift-able automatic transmission system. This model delivers the best fuel economy rating of all the 4 models, at around 19 to 24 miles per gallon. However, this model has the lowest power output of the 4 models, giving 166 horse power at 5800 rpm. The safety features of this vehicle include four wheel ABS braking system, traction control, engine immobilizer, glass breakage sensor, tire pressure monitoring, and a series of strategically placed airbags amongst other features.
The features above help give you the best driving experience possible, whilst also keeping your vehicle safe and secure from burglars. The interior cabin space of the car is spacious and all passengers in the car have adequate leg room. Its in-car entertainment systems include: mast antenna, an AM /FM radio in the dash together with a CD player, stereo with MP3 capability, 4 speakers and a speed-sensitive volume control. Finally this model is kind to your wallet as it is fuel efficient and the cheapest of the four models starts from around $25,000. This is great value for such a large feature-packed minivan.
Pros
- The ‘LE’ is the most affordable of the four Sienna models.
- It has an exemplary fuel economy rating and thus is more economic on a day to day basis.
- It has a wide range of safety features that will make sure you have a safe driving experience.
Cons
- Of the four models, this model has the least horsepower.
- It only comes with a basic instrumentation package.
The Toyota Sienna LE Model
This model has an engine capacity of 3.5 liters, and a 4 cylinder V6 Engine, a 6 speed shift-able automatic transmission system. The fuel economy is between 18 to 25 MPG. It packs a powerful 266 horsepower under the hood at 6200 rpm. All the other features are similar to the 2.7 L LE model except for the additional level of instrumentation that this car features. These feature include a tachometer, compass and additions to the in-car entertainment system, such as an auxiliary audio input and iPod integration, 6 total speakers, radio USB connection, 3 months of provided satellite radio service (Sirius XM). This model sells at around $27,000.
Pros
- The model has an impressive horsepower compared to the 2.7 L model.
- More features added to the instrumentation and the entertainment systems of the car.
- In terms of value for money it offers excellent features for the money, making this a great family car.
Cons
- The larger engine capacity reduces fuel economy
Toyota Sienna XLE 8 Passenger Minivan
This model of the Toyota Sienna has the same engine and body structure of the LE 3.5 liter model, however it has the following changes and added features: wooden finish on the dashboard, leather covering on the steering wheel, increased seating comfort and ergonomic front leather seats, a revamped in-car entertainment system, enhanced Telematic systems, and a couple of other convenience and safety features added to enhance the family driving experience. This model sells at around $33,300.
Pros
- This model has a more stylish and elegant exterior and interior, and the front chairs are significantly more comfortable. The leather finish also makes it easy to clean the interior – great for regular family use!
Cons
- The SE model is pricy, considering that most of the convenience and safety features added have very little to do with the car’s performance.
Toyota Sienna SE
This is the crème of all the models, and has all the mechanical, structural and interior features of the XLE model. However, this model comes with a variety of safety, convenience and engine features that are not supplied on the other models. If you have a larger budget for your car then this should make the best and the most comfortable family minivan in the category. The ‘SE’ model sells at around $33,500.
Pros
- This model has an outstanding engine performance in both off-road and track environment.
Cons
- This is not the cheapest minivan out there, but does deliver a lot of features and style for the money.
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