This most likely has a lot to do with Chief engineer Yuji Yokoya's 80,000 kilometers (50,000 miles) trek around North America in a previous generation Sienna. He wanted to 'live' in the Toyota van to find out first hand what works and what needs improvement. In my opinion, he succeeded.

The driver's area in the new Sienna is extremely well laid out, probably due to Chief Engineer Yuji Yokoya's 80,000 km trek across North America in the previous model. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press)

The driver's area is extremely well laid out, with very high quality switchgear and better than average plastics quality too. One problem I foresee is with the black lacquer finishing. While distinct and attractive, it already showed signs of wear, with scratches marring its various surfaces, especially on the door trim. Other than that I could find no fault, with seats that near perfection and more head, leg and shoulder room than most, if not all of its competitors. The Sienna actually hauls up to eight occupants in standard trim, seven if the optional middle row captain's chairs with center console are ordered.

One of the best vans on the market, with its flexible interior and overall high quality, the 2004 Sienna raises the bar. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press)

That's a lot of extended family flexibility. As I mentioned earlier I often try and plan a minivan tester over the Christmas holidays. We pack in the brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents, plus a full load of presents, and it's off to the relative of choice for the day. They're even better in the summer. Fold down the rear bench, pop the center seats out for relaxing around the campfire, but watch for sparks on the fabric, and there's enough room for all weather overnight accommodations. Try that in anything else this side of camp trailer.

The Sienna is one of the best of this breed I've tested, for interior flexibility, usable space and overall quality. It offers an impressive list of standard features and options galore (see the Sienna preview its technical specifications in this website for more detailed information), but at a price higher than most of its competitors. But it's hard to put a price on the Sienna's high level of quality. Add leather and it's the most functional Lexus ever made. Really, it's that good.