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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2008 Toyota Sienna

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 Toyota Sienna

Overview

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2008 Toyota Sienna Review

By KBB.com Editorial Staff

The 2008 Toyota Sienna is considered one the best minivans on the market today. Although not as big as the Honda Odyssey or Dodge Grand Caravan, the Sienna is still a sizable family hauler with room for up to eight persons. An attractive feature you won't find on any other minivan is the optional all-wheel drive, a must-have for many families who live in snow-frequented climates. Known for its solid build and a spotless reputation for reliability, the Sienna quietly retains one other noteworthy quality: A strong resale value.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you're comparing minivan comfort and convenience, you'll find the 2008 Toyota Sienna borrows many of the best ideas from each of its competitors and combines them into a strong, well-built platform. The Sienna is the only minivan to offer the option of all-wheel drive.

You May Not Like This Car If...

The Sienna can get pricey as you move up the trim range, but the same can be said of the competition. About the only reason not to like this van is if you are not partial to the styling or interior layout.

What's New for 2008

No major changes for 2008.

Driving the Sienna

Driving Impressions The 2008 Toyota Sienna's 3.5-liter V6 engine delivers where it counts, and it performs beautifully in both city and highway driving. The Sienna pulls quickly from a dead stop and...

power is masterfully managed by an electronically controlled five-speed automatic that makes the most of the engine's torque curve before seamlessly shifting to the next gear. The Sienna's wide stance and long wheelbase make for an extremely smooth ride and further bolster the Sienna's already rock-solid stability. Some drivers may feel the steering effort to be somewhat heavy for a minivan, but the resultant firm and direct steering makes it possible to pull off highly accurate maneuvers not usually attempted in a vehicle of this sort.

Favorite Features

Sliding Side-Door Power Windows
Sliding side-door power windows allow passengers to enjoy as much fresh air as they like.

Split Flush-Folding Third-Row Seat
The Sienna's split flush-folding third-row seat allows you to carry both additional passengers and cargo.

2008 Toyota Sienna Details

Interior

A look inside the Sienna clearly shows that Toyota is a player in the upscale van market. Trim levels include the CE, LE, XLE and Limited, and each has a great standard equipment list. The Sienna's seats take full advantage of the van's roomy interior, with wide seat bottoms as well as firm back rests. Second-row seating is either a set of captain's chairs that can be slid together to form a two-person bench, or a three-person split-folding bench seat with a sliding center section that can move forward by as much as 13 inches. The sliding center section makes an infant in a child safety seat more easily accessible to the front-seat passenger. Like the Honda Odyssey, the Sienna's rear seat can fold flush into the floor and features a 60/40 split. Cargo space behind the third seat has been improved thanks to the Sienna's long wheelbase.

Exterior

The Sienna is smartly styled but offers nothing radical in the way of exterior features or design. The current Sienna is bigger than previous generations, with a long wheelbase and a wide cabin with over 45 cubic feet of volume. The wide cabin permits three-passenger seating without cramping. Generous hip and shoulder room, a noticeable shortcoming on previous models, is a thing of the past. Clever features, such as sliding side doors with retractable glass windows and the option of part-time four-wheel drive, help the Sienna stand out in what has become a very crowded field.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The Sienna CE includes a V6 engine, five-speed automatic transmission, anti-lock brakes, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), 10 cup holders, rear defroster, side-impact and side-curtain airbags, dual sliding side doors with power windows, power door locks, illuminated remote keyless entry, power liftgate release, AM/FM stereo with CD, tilt/telescopic steering wheel, power windows, full wheel covers and a rear wiper.

Optional Equipment

Options vary by trim and include all-wheel drive, power seats, leather interior, heated front seats, cruise control, dual power sliding side doors, JBL audio with ten speakers and Bluetooth technology (standard on Limited), power-folding third-row seat (Limited), four-wheel disc brakes, power lumbar support, DVD rear-seat entertainment system and alloy wheels. The Limited trim offers Dynamic Laser Cruise Control, while the Limited and XLE offer optional navigation as part of the JBL audio upgrade.

Under the Hood

There is only one engine offered with the Sienna: A robust new V6 offering strong off-the-line acceleration, quiet operation and decent fuel economy.

3.5-liter V6
266 horsepower @ 6200 rpm
245 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/23 (FWD), 16/21 (AWD)

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2008 Toyota Sienna Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.9

Out of 10

Based on 529 Ratings for the 2004 - 2010 models.

Review this car

Value

9.0/10

Quality

9.0/10
Reliability

9.2/10

Performance

9.1/10
Comfort

9.3/10

Styling

9.1/10

So long my friend!

By SZQ (NY) on Saturday, January 19, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 74,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 7/10

Pros: "Handled well in snow and reliable, good looking"

Cons: "Awful small seat bottoms and arm rests stink"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I am sadly trading this Limited AWD sparkly white van for a 2013 GMC Acadia Denali next week. This was my 4th mini van and my first Toyota after Chrysler stopped making AWD vans, I went with a Toy. I loved everything about this van except for the seats. I am 5" 9" and the driver seat was very uncomfortable. The leather was cheap and The arm rest was 1/2 size - made for a miniature person and the seat bottom cut off before my mid-thigh. The arm rest is basically shot, it did not hold up. Other than that, it was very reliable and handled beautifully in the awful Central New York winters! Oh and the lift gate does not work very well anymore and I hit my head on it!!! I will surely miss it but I am done with minivans!!!"

7 people out of 8 found this review helpful

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It's okay

By ceejay (VA) on Thursday, December 20, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 90,000

10 5.0

overall rating 5 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 5/10
Value: 6/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 4/10
Performance: 4/10
Styling: 5/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Engine and Drive Train are reliable"

Cons: "Nothing else is"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"We expected much more from this car. Reliability is great. Interior trim and fit and finish are poor. Toyota cheaped out this model year in their haste to surpass GM as the "most sold" manufacturer, and the corners they cut show in a lot of small but cumulative ways. We have endless minor problems with this car, which is not what we expected when we bought it (and not at the price we paid). Everything that has gone wrong is minor, but when you can google "how to fix broken sliding door on model X" or "how to fix malfunctioning hydraulics in rear lift gate" and get a lot of hits, you know that the manufacturer has made some mistakes. Toyota sold its reputation in its haste this (model) year, and I will no longer buy their products. Next car will be a Honda, a VW, or a Subaru -- manufacturers who have resisted the temptation to compromise on quality to meet a price point or market segment. Shame on Toyota."

10 people out of 10 found this review helpful

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