1998 Toyota Sienna 3.0L V6 4AT FWD (210 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Toyota had to admit that its Previa was defeated in the minivan segment on the U.S. Market when it introduced the 1998 Sienna at the 1997 North American International Auto Show.

The Japanese automaker tried to convince customers that the mid-engine rear-wheel-drive technical solution was the best for an MPV but failed. Ford, Chevrolet, and Chrysler proved that the front-engine, front-wheel-drive solution was better, and they were right. Customers bought those vehicles in large numbers thanks to what they had to offer. So, Toyota started almost from scratch. It took the platform from the Camry, redesigned the rest of the bodywork, and started assembling the 1998 Sienna in its factory in Kentucky.

Some styling cues made the Sienna look like a successor to the Previa so Toyota wouldn’t lose its customers. At the front, a sloped nose continued upwards with the panoramic windshield. From its profile, the car featured two doors for the front passengers and one sliding door on the right side of the vehicle for the rest of the people to climb inside. In addition, the Japanese automaker offered an option for a sliding door on the driver’s side as well. Out back, the vertical drop for the tailgate was slightly sweetened by the curved lines on the roof and of the rear quarter windows.

Inside, those who owned or have seen a Toyota could easily recognize the design language of the Japanese automaker. Fronting the driver was a generous instrument cluster fitted with all the dials a user might need, while the dashboard continued with a tall center stack that housed the vents, the HVAC controls, and the stereo. There was no center console between the front seats, so customers could cross the vehicle from side to side more easily, especially since the gear selector was placed on the steering column. Toyota installed a pair of bucket seats at the front with several manual adjustments, including on height for the driver. In addition, power-assisted ones were available at the top-grade level. The second row consisted of either a bench for three people or two adjustable captain seats that could slide, tilt, or be removed by those who needed more cargo area. Toyota installed two individual seats for the third row, which could tumble or be removed to increase the transport capacity that could reach up to 140 cu-ft with only the first row being kept in place. Even on the lower grades, the automaker installed power windows, including the third row that Toyota fitted with compass-style power-assisted pop-out ones.

Under the hood, the 1998 Sienna boasted a 3.0-liter V6 engine available in two maximum outputs of 194 HP (197 PS) and 207 HP (210 PS). Both versions kept a four-speed automatic transmission that sent the power to the front wheels only.