Toyota Sienna's Interior
Buying a new green car is like yanking out a permanent tooth. I previously explained what happened to my beloved 2005 Sienna and outlined my criteria for a new car. All and all searching for a new car was full of a mixture of emotions: pain, anxiety, and loss. I balanced comfort with eco-friendliness, all wheel drive with hybrid technology as well as contemplated saying good-by to my Minivan days. An immeasurable loss. Yes, in essence, sheer torture. Don’t envy me.
Think of my journey as a reality show. Instead of the Bachlorette, think of me as the Car-ette looking for my car suitor. So, who got the boot and who got the rose? Well, you will just have to hold onto your seats and take a ride with me.
The 2011-2012 Sienna
I still love this car and Toyota has really upped its mark on the new Sienna. It is a kid’s dream machine with a double wide TV screen, place to put PlayStation, and reclining chairs similar to a Lazy Boy. I would never get my kids out of this car. Once Son #4 saw the reclining chairs, he has not stopped bugging me to lease this car. In addition, it has this new “eco driving indicator” to help with better gas mileage. All the Sienna needed was a washing machine!
Now, many of you might think, Anna, if you love your Sienna so much, opt to get the new model. Well, it isn’t that easy. I think I am ready to become a Big Girl now and shed my soccer mom car image. See, I got a taste of driving a small zippy car and felt like 20 years old again. Do any of you feel that way? Ah, the taste of freedom.
Toyota Camry Hybrid:
The Camry is a nice driving car. However, the seat and I weren’t in love. Once you drive in a padded Minivan captain seat it is hard to go back to a car seat which isn’t padded up the wahzoo. Note, this car has traction control but is not an all wheel drive car.
Toyota Rav-4
The Rav-4 is one of Toyota’s Crossover and SUVs. I didn’t love this car, nor did the back seat riders. The backseats were uncomfortable and I just don’t want to hear the peanut gallery complain every day. You know what I am talking about especially since one of the gallery saw the new Sienna.
Toyota Pruis
This car is so much fun to drive. Zippy as heck. (Now, remember, I think anything is zippy that goes faster than my Sienna.) I also love that the controls are on the top of the dash rather behind the steering wheel. (Check out the interior demo to see how many smart controls this car has.)
The seat is okay. The one I drove did not have a lumbar support. However, the Prius 4 and 5 model have a lumbar support.
Another issue that I had was the spoiler. It is still in my line of vision, and was an issue when it was raining at night. The line seemed like a black hole.
The Ride? Now, I won’t lie. You can feel a lot more bumps with the Prius than the Camry. And this car is only a front wheel drive car. My friend isn’t thrilled with it in the snow. If you own a Prius, how do you feel about it in the snow?
Highlander
What a big looking car. Although it is smaller than the Sienna, it reminded me of a truck. It drives well but I figured why buy this instead of the Sienna? Image? (Believe me. I understand the not wanting to be a soccer mom image.)
Hyundai Sonata:
The Sonata
The Sonata is available as a hybrid or regular car. It is similar in size to the Camry, but is more sporty looking. Son #4, who is my rear seating tester, says he likes the back seat in the Sonata. In addition (a large consideration) the cup holders are better in the Sonota than the Camry. Maybe, Toyota should employ him?
A negative. This car is a front wheel drive car with traction control. Does anyone know how it fares in the snow?
I didn’t test drive any of the Hyundai’s Crossovers or SUVs (Veracruz and the Santa Fe) since the back seats in these cars got negative remarks from the hubby and Son #4. (And no, it wasn’t the cup holder issue. A rump and back issue.)
Ford Edge
I liked the Ford Edge which is a crossover car. Hubby wasn’t impressed with the ride. He thought the car was boxy. Next…(Oh, my aching butt.)
Ford Fusion
Ford Fusion Dash
The Ford Fusion drives great, is an all-wheel drive car, and has a hybrid option. You would think I hit the mother load with this car. The only thing that I couldn’t get use to was the trunk. It seemed to be in my line of vision and threw me when I was backing up. It does however, have back-up sensors.
The big question still remained. Was I ready to give up my “hauling” ability that I had with my Sienna? Or was I better off with a Crossover or SUV?
Subaru Outback Crossover
All the Subaru cars that I drove had great turning radius like all of the Toyota cars. However, in the Outback, I had mixed feelings about the seat even though it had a lumbar support. My Dad calls this car a Plain Jane since it is not as spiffy as the rest of the cars.
Bottom Line
Three children vote for the Sienna because they feel that we still need a 6 passenger car. Two of the four are in college, mind you. I would love to fix my car since I can’t understand how these two parts could go within 100,000 miles. It just buys me time until Son #4 goes to college.
Toyota Slams the Door
The dealer asked Toyota to cover the repair under warranty. They have never seen a transmission and differential go in a Sienna at 100,000 miles. Toyota reply? No can do. The dealer knew I was a good customer and offered to take some money off the repairs but the parts were expensive. It still didn’t make sense to repair the car.
At this moment, I could write a whole blog post on why I am upset with Toyota. But I will leave that rant for another day.
Given the above, which car would you choose? Or do you have a suggestion for me?
Join the Conversation:
- Do you own any of the above cars? If so, which ones do you like?
- Have you been in the same situation: ready to ditch the mini van?
- Would you next step be to a 5 passenger crossover or car?
- Any words of advice?
MacQueen says
Which is the best car of Toyota,…Camry, how much is it?
Nick says
Regarding your affinity for AWD – forget it. If you’re seriously concerned about fuel economy you’re going to waste money on gas for the 10 days per year you might actually benefit from AWD (unless you lives IN the mountains). Here’s the trick: get winter tires. Yes, it can be a bit of a pain to manage 2 sets of tires but winter tires on a front-wheel drive car with traction and stability control be almost as good as AWD. Remember! AWD does NOT help you stop and in snow, in my experience, does NOT help you corner. In snow, slow down, or stay home. Period. I haven’t done the math to say that the cost of swapping tires at a shop twice a year (snow’s on, snow’s off) is worth the fuel cost savings of AWD – but who cares! We’re talking about being green not about economics and the truth is the two topics are usually mutually exclusive. AWD is a fantastic marketing tactic started largely by Subaru as a differentiator for them in them marketplace. Next, the Ford Fusion Hybrid is NOT available with AWD. Only the gas hungry V6 is available with AWD. I’ve lived in the UP of Michigan and Minneapolis for 10 years and AWD is not a necessity. It only helps go too fast for conditions and take off fast from the stop lights. Get snow tires so that you can stop fast when needed! Next, if 2 of your kids are in college you won’t need 6 passenger capacity very much. Do you have 2 vehicles in your household anyway? When those 2 are home can you take 2 cars to wherever you’re going as a full family. The extra gas from the 2 cars occasionally will probably be negated by the fuel savings from owning a car instead of a mini van. CO2 emissions or convenience, it’s your choice. I’m the kind of guy that could make good use of a pick-up about 1 day per week. I drive a small wagon. I have a roof rack on it. I can put 4×8 sheets of plywood and drywall on the roof if I need to. I can rent the Home Depot truck for $20/hr when needed, or call a friend with a pick-up. I can’t justify the pick-up for myself because 6 out of 7 days a week I drive alone and can barely justify the size of car I have. I grew up with small cars, I rode in the back of small cars, I didn’t have TV’s or playstations in my car during 10 hour trips and we all arrived at our destination just fine. Good luck with your hunt – the hardest part is that you have SO MANY CHOICES. And keep your priorities in mind.
Anna@Green Talk says
Nick, you are a breath of fresh air. Okay, if I take out AWD and the 6 passenger car, which one do you like of the above cars?
It is so funny you mention Subaru starting this AWD thing. I had an AWD Subaru as my first northern car. Loved it. Anna
Jeannine says
I have to agree with Nick regarding AWD, to a certain extent. I live close to the mountains in a very snowy climate. While we don’t require AWD most of the time, it helps when the snow piles up on the curbs and you need a little extra help getting in and out of your parking space. In the past, we have had to shovel our way out every time we parked the car with a FWD only. Not a lot of fun!
We recently made the switch and bought a Toyota Venza, which is essentially a Camry that’s had a few extra twinkies. We like it, but I have to say it is not the most comfortable drive ever. I have heard that they made improvements to the seats in the 2010 model, but I haven’t actually driven one to make that conclusion for myself. However, I did choose it because it has better fuel economy than a lot of other AWD crossover vehicles, and the 4-cylinder is all you need with this car. We only have one child right now (under one-year-old), but we will most likely have a second one in the near future. So while we have contemplated the minivan, especially for trips, we decided that we would just get a roof rack instead, since a mini van is too much car for us 90% of the time.
So along with what Nick say’s, I would just take a look at your list again and figure out what you need most of the time and then reevaluate. We are glad that we did when we bought our current car in the first place. I am curious though, if Toyota has been difficult to deal with, perhaps it’s time to take a look at Honda?
Anna@Green Talk says
Jeannine,
So sorry to reply much later. I must have missed your comment. When I drove the Venza, I liked it. However, the sales person told me that it has a rough ride and that I would feel the road alot with the car. Do you find this? Right now, I am sticking with my mini van until it falls apart. I think I am going to be buried with the captain chair. Anna
Louise says
I have always been against the minivan even when kids are little. Most the time a mid size car will work unless you got 3 kids and even then an SUV won’t work because of the carseats. Still, you kids are in college (atleast most of them). Time to pack away the mom van and downsize. I would go for the cupholders. Frankly, that is what you are going to be using on a day to day basis in a car. The AWD is only going to be used a dozen days a year. The cupholders is each time you get in the car and you will be so glad you used them. Even the backseat TV is not going to be used that much because the kids will be gone soon. Soon, it will be you and the hubs with your cups in the front seat. You will be glad you have your water and coke.
Performance Radiators says
You can always buy your own spare parts to get them cheaper and have them installed by professional mechanics.
Anthony Fisher says
Each and every car of this list is absolutely fantastic. It would be great if you could just add an estimated price of those cars.
Edward says
I really like the Hyundai Sonata, but as a hybrid option. I had the chance to make a test drive with one last month and I got to tell, it`s pretty great! I would be one in an instant if you I could afford it.
Anna@Green Talk says
Edward, I did too but really wanted something in a hatchback. Anna
Jackie B says
I wonder how much it cost you to switch to green car. It may sometimes difficult to accept the changes this eco-friendly vehicle brings. But come to think of it…it’s more beneficial!