New 2007 Toyota Sienna Safety Review [ 2009 , 2008 ]
Toyota Sienna Safety Review
Safety - 8.3 (Very Good)
The 2007 Toyota Sienna offers an impressive range of safety features. "One of the main considerations for any family car should be safety," argues Forbes, "and here too the Sienna scores well." It receives high marks in government crash tests, getting four of five and five of five stars for driver and front passenger protection, respectively, in front impact tests, and five of five stars for front and rear seat passenger protection in side-impact testing. Automobile Magazine contends, "The lengthy list of safety gear helps make the Sienna one of the most appealing family conveyances on the road." Tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, however, yield results that aren't as consistently positive. While it receives a score of "Good," the highest possible, for front and side impacts, it receives a score of "Poor," the lowest possible, for rear impacts. It gets an overall score of "Good."
Accident Avoidance
Anti-lock brakes are standard on the Sienna. All-wheel drive models come standard with stability control and traction control -- systems that are optional on front-wheel-drive models. Edmunds points out a small but helpful feature: "To help keep the driver's eyes on the road, all Sienna models come equipped with a small conversation mirror which allows a look into the rear seat without the driver turning his or her head." The Sienna's tire-pressure sensor, explains MSN, "is especially helpful," because low tire pressure "can significantly affect the stability of a minivan." Higher trims are offered with an optional park-assist system that uses sonar technology to detect obstacles and obstructions.
Crash Protection
Standard on all trim levels are front, front side, and side curtain airbags. Automobile Magazine finds "practically enough side and side curtain airbags to allow the van to float."
