TOYOTA HIGHLANDER AND SIENNA
Keeping family fun front and centre,
Summer and family fun simply go together.
Whether it’s a trip to the cottage, a long-distance drive, or just staying close to home, Toyota has two award-winning family vehicles to get you there in comfort, style, and safety. If you prefer a traditional minivan, the 2015 Toyota Sienna offers several new standard features, along with unprecedented levels of luxury and practicality. Or if you want something a little sportier, the 2015 Toyota Highlander gives you everything you want in a crossover SUV, with seating for up to eight passengers. It’s also available as a gasoline-electric Highlander Hybrid model.
And if your idea of fun involves rough or muddy trails, or for more confidence wherever you go on wet or slippery roads, both the Highlander and Sienna are available with all-wheel drive. In fact, the Sienna is the only full-size minivan on the market that offers the confidence and security of available all-wheel drive.
“We built the Toyota Highlander to be fun to drive, stylish, and reliable in an effort to deliver the best to Canadian drivers,” says Larry Hutchinson, vice-president of Toyota Canada Inc. “And the Sienna is more inviting and fun for 2015, with an even more upscale interior, better handling, additional safety and convenience features, and more innovative technology as standard.”
RUGGED BUT SMOOTH
Last winter, the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) named the Toyota Highlander as Canada’s Best New SUV/CUV ($35,000-$60,000). Compared to the previousgeneration Highlander, this redesigned model has more room for third-row passengers and more cargo space.
The Highlander is rugged enough to meet all the needs of active families, no matter where they go. But it’s also built on a passengercar-style platform, which eliminates any “truck-like” feel and gives this vehicle a smooth ride, and light but communicative steering.
Under the hood is a 3.5-litre V6 engine that makes 270 horsepower and 248 lb.-ft. of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that includes a “snow mode” setting on all models for even more sure-footed confidence in nasty weather. The LE trim level uses front-wheel drive, while the LE AWD, XLE AWD, and Limited AWD use an electronic on-demand all-wheel system. This primarily drives the front wheels under most conditions for optimum fuel economy, but instantly powers all wheels when extra control is required. It’s automatic and requires no input from the driver.
HANDSOME INTERIOR AND PLENTY OF FEATURES
Families will love the Highlander’s handsome interior, including one-step sliding second-row seats that make it easy to access the third row. Both the second and third rows recline and also fold flat when you need to carry larger cargo. The available power liftgate can be programmed to open at a convenient height, and its window flips up for quick loading, such as corralling toys at the beach or campsite.
All Highlander models include a touchscreen audio system with Bluetooth connectivity and wireless streaming, USB port, cruise control, hidden rear cargo storage, privacy glass, heated mirrors, automatic headlamps, and a standard rearview camera, an important safety feature for drivers with young families. The XLE AWD adds such features as navigation, three-zone automatic climate control, second-row sunshades and power liftgate, while the Limited AWD includes perforated leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row captain chairs with centre tray, and a panoramic sunroof.
SAFETY FIRST
No matter what trim level you choose on the Highlander or Sienna, you get a full suite of safety features to help protect your most precious cargo. Every model comes with eight airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag and front and rear side curtain airbags, along with front seatbelt pre-tensioners, whiplash protection, child seat anchors, and a tire pressure monitoring system. As well, every Toyota includes the Star Safety System of Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Anti-Lock Brakes, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Brake Assist, and Smart Stop Technology.
Both the Highlander and Sienna also offer Toyota’s Driver Easy Speak system, which uses the vehicle’s microphones and speakers to make it easier for second- and third-row passengers to hear what you’re saying from up front. It’s a great way to ensure that the whole family can get involved.
NEW UPGRADES FOR SIENNA
The Toyota Sienna receives new upgrades for 2015, and all models now include a rearview camera, Bluetooth connectivity, pull-down conversation mirror, front passenger seat cushion airbag, and a fourth anchor point for child protection seats. The Sienna is one of just 20 products, and the only vehicle, to receive a 2015 Today’s Parent Approved™ Seal from Canada’s number-one source of parenting information.
Every family has unique needs, and so the Sienna comes in six trim lines, in FWD or AWD, and with 7- or 8-passenger seating, so it’s easy to find the right one for yours, right up to the luxurious Limited with its premium leather upholstery and dual power moonroof.
Every Sienna model uses a smooth and quiet 3.5-litre V6 engine that makes 266 horsepower and 245 lb.-ft. of torque, with a six-speed automatic transmission.
The Sienna’s comfortable interior is all about practicality. Front-seat passengers will love the dual dashmounted storage compartments, and a front-mounted floor tray where you can conveniently place and reach a purse or pack. Those in the back can enjoy movies or games on the available dual-view Blu-ray Entertainment System. Eight-passenger models include a centre passenger seat that can be easily removed and conveniently stored out of the way when it’s not needed.
All Sienna models feature the Split & Stow™ Third Row, a 60/40 splitfolding bench that’s easy to fold down or lift up. Depending on whether you need more space for passengers, or more for cargo, it’s easy to configure the Sienna’s seating.
Both the Toyota Sienna and Toyota Highlander were designed with Canadian families in mind, from their three-row seats and practical interiors, to their comfortable driveability and long list of standard safety features. Whichever model you choose, and wherever you go with it, your summer family fun just got a whole lot better.