Sienta is a minivan sold in Japan since 2003. Until now, that time was being spent in the same generation, with only minor facelifts in 2006 and 2010. Looking at its pictures won’t spur many positive reactions, specially in those who have Western taste, but even them will notice that its quirkiness isn’t new. With a body design limited by the need to be practical, the minivan became better to look at by carrying well-proportioned elements, clean sheetmetal, and even a “floating roof” – back when it wasn’t a thing. But Toyota’s staff certainly thought it could do more. Instead of just updating that concept, it took it to a whole new level. The all-new Sienta manages to be attractive not only to those who had the old model, but also people who don’t buy minivans.
As the pictures anticipate, most of this charm appears on the outside. Front and rear ends are visually connected by the use of the same elements, like that black-plastic and the triangular lights which sit on its ends. The sides feature only one smooth crease, and a quite interesting waistline: its irregular shape still follows the “ascending trend”, but in a way that makes the third windows still big. Actually, big enough both to help when maneuvering and to avoid a claustrophobic feeling for those who sit on the rearmost bench. Other great items are the limited quantity of chrome inserts, and the nice wheels. Sienta’s combination of conventional silhouette and subversive elements is capable of making even more expensive competitors seem much older.
Opening the doors reveals a room which looks just as futuristic, but without that element of surprise. That two-tone coating takes the first impression towards adjectives such as “huge” and even “fancy”, while several details remind you that this is actually a whimsical car. The central stack isn’t extended to the region between the front seats, so as to free more space. But these feelings are paired to an actual increase of dimensions, which Toyota claims to make this cabin capable of taking adults even at the rear seat. When it comes to the dashboard, restricting physical buttons to a minimum and taking the instrument cluster high enough for your eyeline to stay above the wheel reminds a lot of Peugeot, but it’s easy to see it was just a coincidence.
If the previous aspects were capable of captivating multiple types of drivers, they will be strongly divided after the following: Sienta’s powertrain is heavily focused on fuel efficiency. The cheapest option uses a 1.5-liter gasoline engine, the same one which accounts for part of Prius’ propulsion. If the official power of 60 hp makes you wonder if you’d be able to even leave the driveway, you can take the hybrid version and enjoy 98 hp – think of it as 63.3% more ponies. Considering that Toyota has only made the first official presentation of this car, information regarding equipment lists or prices are still publicly unknown. However, Japanese customers can expect to see this minivan reaching dealers in the next few months.