Toyota’s Sienna Gains Additional Comfort And Convenience For 2006

The second-generation Toyota Sienna family van enters its third year on the market with freshened styling and a host of new comfort and convenience enhancements.

The 2006 Sienna is distinguished in front by a revised grille, headlamps and fog lamps, and at the rear by redesigned lamp clusters. On Sienna Limited models, the sensors for the sonar parking system are now color-keyed to the vehicle.

Toyota designed the second-generation Sienna following an in-depth study of minivan use in the American market. Therefore, when applying its continuous improvement philosophy to the Sienna, Toyota again closely examined how owners use the vehicle in their daily lives.

A new power folding third-row seat* available for the Limited grade model makes switching from carrying people to cargo even easier. Toyota also paid close attention to the frequent occupants of the middle and third-row seats – children. For 2006, the LCD screen for the available rear seat entertainment system now measures nine inches. In addition, a new universal mini-jack port standard on all audio systems allows connectivity to most portable music players.

Drivers will appreciate the memory system for the driver’s seat and outside mirrors, standard on the Limited grade and optional for the XLE grade. The mirrors on the Limited grade are now power folding and feature integrated puddle lamps and turn signals. As a further touch of luxury, the LE, XLE and Limited grade Sienna models now feature optitron gauges.

“The family van segment is so competitive because its customers are among the most demanding in the industry,” said Jim Lentz, Toyota Division group vice president and general manager. “Before we make changes to the Sienna, we consult the experts – current owners.”

The Sienna rides on a 119.3-inch wheelbase to provide exceptional interior room and a smooth ride. Its 36.8-foot turning circle is tighter than some midsize cars, helping to make the Sienna easily maneuverable.

Sienna’s AWD system, available on LE, XLE, and Limited models, employs a center differential to divide engine power 50/50 front and rear. Wheel slippage at either set of wheels automatically transfers more power to the opposite wheels to help keep the Sienna moving forward.

Inside, Sienna offers both outstanding passenger room and generous cargo space behind the third row of seats. Thanks to the extensive use of sound damping materials and excellent aerodynamics, Sienna’s cabin sets a high standard in low NVH (noise, vibration and harshness).

The Sienna XLE and Limited grade models bring a new level of comfort and luxury to the minivan segment, with the Limited adding such features as leather-trimmed upholstery, a 360-watt maximum output 10-speaker premium sound system, Dynamic Laser Cruise Control and heated front seats. An available DVD-based satellite navigation system for XLE and Limited models includes a backup camera for greater convenience when reversing the vehicle.

High Level of Safety
Front-side and side-curtain airbags covering all three rows of seats are standard equipment on all grades. The LATCH system (Lower Anchor with Tethers for CHildren) is in all second-row seating positions to accommodate new-design child seats. Additional safety technology includes three-point seatbelts for all seating positions and a low tire pressure monitor system.

All Sienna models feature a standard four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. The Brake Assist feature is designed to determine if the driver is attempting emergency braking and, if the driver has not stepped firmly enough on the brake pedal to engage the ABS, the system applies maximum braking power until pedal pressure is released.
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with Traction Control (TRAC) is standard on AWD models and the Limited grade and available as an option on other models. VSC helps the driver maintain control in adverse driving conditions, and the TRAC feature helps reduce tire slippage during acceleration.

The AWD models come standard with 17-inch run-flat tires. Reinforced sidewalls and a special bead shape enable these tires to be driven with no air pressure for up to 100 miles at speeds up to 55 mph. A spare tire is also available

Powerful Yet Efficient
The Sienna includes driving pleasure on its resume, thanks to a powerful V6 engine and a five-speed automatic transmission with intelligence (ECT-i). The 3.3-liter V6 with variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i) produces 215-horsepower at 5,600 RPM and 222 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,600 RPM. The Sienna provides confident merging and passing power and is capable of zero-to-60 mph acceleration in about 8.3 seconds.

Fuel economy is excellent, with EPA city/highway gas mileage estimates of 19/26 mpg for front-wheel-drive models and 17/23 mpg for all-wheel-drive models.

Interior Versatility
Sienna’s interior is as versatile and flexible as it is spacious and quiet. The dashboard-mounted gated shifter allows pass-through room between the front seats. Sienna offers two distinctly different second-row seating options that are easy to adjust, tumble, or remove. In its seven-passenger configuration, Sienna features second-row captains chairs with a passenger-side chair that can be repositioned side-to-side, offering either a bench or a bucket arrangement.

The eight-passenger configuration (CE and LE grades only) features a second-row, three-way split/folding bench with a Front and Center™ middle seat that can be moved nearly 13 inches closer to the front seats, making infants and toddlers in child-seats more accessible.

A versatile 60/40 Split & Stow 3rd Row™ bench seat that folds flat into the floor is standard equipment on all models. Either side of the seat can be stowed separately with a low-effort, one-hand operation. The Limited model offers a power-operated third-row version. With the entire rear seat stowed and the second-row seats removed, four-by-eight foot sheets of plywood can be loaded flat onto Sienna’s floor.

The Toyota Value Standard The Sienna is available in four model grades: CE, LE, XLE, and the top-of-the-line Limited. All four come in front-wheel drive configuration, and the LE, XLE, and Limited also offer all-wheel-drive. The CE and LE are available in both seven- and eight-passenger configurations. Such a wide choice of models combined with extensive standard equipment and thoughtful features makes Sienna a truly outstanding value.

Standard features in the Sienna CE grade include power windows, door locks and mirrors, sliding rear doors with power windows, second-row captains chairs, keyless entry system, and deluxe AM/FM/CD audio system with six speakers. Comfort and versatility are assured with a standard tilt/telescopic steering column, dual (front and rear) air conditioning, a folding tray table between the front seats, variable intermittent front and rear windshield wipers, 10 cup holders and four bottle holders, three 12v power outlets and a heavy-duty rear window defogger with timer.
In addition to, or in place of features on the CE grade, standard equipment for the Sienna LE includes an engine immobilizer, heated power mirrors, roof rack, privacy glass, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, cruise control, driver’s side power window with auto up/down and jam protection, driver’s seat manual-adjustable lumbar support, illuminated vanity mirrors, unique LE seat fabric, a fold-flat front passenger seat and a deluxe AM/FM/CD with six-disc changer and six speakers.

Luxury in a Family Van
The Sienna was designed to cater to the growing number of minivan customers who are seeking extra comfort for their families. The Sienna XLE grade adds a host of desirable comfort and convenience features, including power dual sliding doors and power open/close rear gate, tri-zone (driver/front passenger and rear) climate control with air filter, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, removable center console, and unique XLE seat fabric. The Sienna XLE also comes with standard fog lamps and an anti-theft alarm.

An overhead console features a trip computer, outside temperature gauge and HomeLink® universal transceiver/garage door opener. Enhanced audio options include a JBL Synthesis 360-watt AM/FM//CD player with six-disc changer and ten speakers.

The top-of-the-line Sienna Limited brings a true feeling of luxury to this family vehicle. The comprehensive upgrade adds leather-trimmed seats, second- and third-row sunshades, 17-inch alloy wheels with 225/60R17 all-season tires, VSC with TRAC, front and rear parking sonar, wood grain/leather-trimmed steering wheel with audio controls, CD changer, Dynamic Laser Cruise Control, high intensity discharge (HID) headlights, heated front seats with adjustable temperature control, chrome exterior accents, windshield wiper de-icer grid and auto-dimming driver’s side mirror and inside rear view mirrors.

Tailor-Made for America
Sienna offers a wide selection of optional convenience features to enhance versatility and comfort. Among them are a DVD rear seat entertainment system with wireless headphones, navigation system with backup camera, cruise control, 115v power outlets, second- and third-row sunshades, and a JBL Synthesis AM/FM/CD with six-disc changer and 10-speaker surround sound audio system.

The optional navigation system integrates Bluetooth® technology, which provides a hands-free communication system. Cellular phones with built-in Bluetooth compatibility allow the driver and passengers to make and receive hands-free calls. A call can be dialed by using the navigation display screen’s keypad, and incoming calls can be answered and ended by pushing a button located on the steering wheel. When a call comes in, the audio system is automatically muted, so the driver or passenger does not have to fumble with radio controls. The Sienna stereo speakers act as the phone receiver and transmitter.

Sienna was designed specifically for the American market. A large percentage of its engineering design and development took place at the Toyota Technical Center (TTC) in Ann Arbor, Mich., and a significant amount of its styling was penned at Toyota’s Calty Design Research in Newport Beach, Calif.

Sienna is exclusively assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana (TMMI) in Princeton, with more than 90 percent of its content sourced from North American suppliers. Both the engine and the transmission are assembled at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing powertrain production facility in West Virginia.

Toyota’s 36-month/36,000-mile basic new-vehicle limited warranty applies to all components other than normal wear and maintenance items. Additional 60-month warranties cover the powertrain for 60 months/60,000 miles and corrosion perforation for 60 months with no mileage limitation.

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