Launched And On Sale Now, The New Toyota Sienta In Japan

The minivan that provides a spacious seven-seater cabin in a compact body size, the Toyota Sienta has received a complete redesign for 2022. 

Launched in Japan and on sale now, the new Sienta carries forward the valued attributes it's known for from its very first generation into a new modernised package.

Notably, it preserves the vehicle's easy-to-manage length, latest safety and security features, fuel economy and affordable price, while further refining the user-friendly cabin space.

To elaborate, the details are as such. Exterior-wise, the new Sienta gets the simple Toyota ‘Shikakumaru’ circle and square design. Exuding rounded corners to create a compact outlook.

It also provides good manoeuvrability, courtesy of its body’s horizontal beltline that also comes with large side mouldings for functionality, and large windows for good visibility all around.

Speaking of the windows, UV-block and IR-block functions are available with the Comfort Package option for a more comfortable space.

Living it up, it gets seven paint options. E.g., Urban Khaki and Scarlet Metallic, with a two-toned option available in Scarlet Metallic and Greyish Blue to match the dark grey roof colour.

Interior-wise, the ‘Shikakumaru’ philosophy ensues. Evoking a sense of attachment with simple and unified door pockets, cup holders, and registers.

Then, its thin, light and horizontally arranged instrument panel is made of fabric, with seamless connections from the front edge of the upper section to the left and right door belt lines.

As for the upholstery, the fabric seat covers come with deodorizing and water/oil-repellent treatment for ease of cleaning.

Elsewhere, miscellaneous items can be placed under the seat, and a ceiling air circulator has been installed for rear-seat comfort to circulate warm and cold air from the air conditioning unit.

Other creature comforts are an armrest hook on the driver's seat, and two driver's seat-back smartphone pockets that have two USB-C ports for charging.

Three interior colours are offered, which include a bright Fromage and relaxing Black, along with an easy-to-love Khaki as an available option for the Fan Tool Package.

Now, for its user-friendly cabin innovations, where its aforementioned low horizontal belt line and upright large side glass design has created an overall spacious and open interior.

First, in terms of the size, the cabin height has been increased by 20 mm from the previous models, together with a total of 1,000 mm, of front and rear distance to improve second-row comfort.

While maintaining its low 330 mm floor height and stepless flat floor, the sliding door opening height has also been expanded to 1,200 mm or 60 mm extra compared to earlier models.

Interestingly, the sliding doors have hands-free dual power sliding function, which can be automatically opened and closed via foot gestures under the sensors at the bottom of the front doors.

Next, the rear hatch door opening and luggage space heights have also been increased by 15 mm and 20 mm respectively compared to previous models.

Second, the Sienta’s advanced technological features. Through the comprehensive T-Connect services, it is installed with Connected Navigation-compatible Display Audio system for starters. 

Of which, enables destination searches and route settings using new centre-acquired data, including maps, facilities and traffic. A voice-recognition service can also set destinations in the system.

Also, the new Sienta comes with an in-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot. Standard on all models, it enables unlimited data transfer for smartphones, game devices, and other devices connected to the internet.

What’s more, it comes equipped with an AC 100-V/1,500-W accessory power outlet, which allows the use of electrical products using the same electrical outlets found in the home.

This system also enables the vehicle to be used as a power generator during blackouts and other times of emergency.

Third, the advanced safety system that features the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS). Standard on all models, it includes Pre-collision Safety System and Proactive Driving Assist.

On top of that, it also gets the Toyota Teammate system, which features the Advanced Park, a driving support technology function.

Besides support of all operations like steering, acceleration, braking and gear changes, the bird's-eye view display also shows the ideal steering wheel positions for a safe and secure parking experience.

In addition to backing in and forward exit from parking situations, it also supports forward entry and backing exit parking situations.

Lastly, it has front and rear dash cams with videos captured by the Toyota Safety Sense's monocular camera that comes with a built-in memory. 

Performance-wise, the platform that underpins the new Sienta's basic structure was newly designed based on the TNGA (GA-B) architecture.

Combined to form a ring-shaped frame, its main structure improves joint rigidity, while its highly rigid body is light and well-balanced, delivering high-quality riding comfort and handling stability.

Plus, the handling stability, ride comfort, and quietness have been improved by using a high-damping type of structural adhesive and a portion of mastic sealer used for the roof panel.

Front and rear suspension geometry has also been optimized with MacPherson struts at the front and torsion beam at the rear. 

Resulting with a suspension system that creates gentle movement and a smooth ride with excellent road holding. 

Minimum turning radius is just 5.0 m, enabling it to facilitate smooth manoeuvres on narrow roads and in car parks.

Inside its chassis also lurks two powertrain options with the first setup offering two engine types, which Toyota labels as the ‘Series Parallel Hybrid’. 

Setup one and two of the first powertrain combine a hybrid system with either a 2WD or Toyota’s E-Four drivetrain, while the second is petrol infused and gets only a 2WD drivetrain.

All options feature a 1.5-liter Dynamic Force Engine, but vary in type. The hybrids get (M15A-FXE) and (M20A-FKS) types respectively, and the petrol with a (M15A-FKS).

Most notably, the second setup of option one improves overall system and fuel efficiency. The latter rates at 28.8 km/litre (WLTC). Also, its drivetrain improves on hill climbs in the snow and rain.

Whereas, the petrol setup is married to a Direct Shift-CVT with 10-speed Sport Sequential Shiftmatic for a powerful direct drive system. It rates with a fuel efficiency of 18.3 km/litre (WLTC).

Variant-wise, the new Toyota Sienta has three main models for every powertrain offered, with five- and seven-seater configurations each.

That’s not all, the Sienta also comes with Welcab models, ranging from Wheelchair-adapted model Type I, Type II, Type III, and Dedicated Friendmatic.

These models are wheelchair-adapted variants with a simple structure for the entire process from boarding to securing the wheelchair in place, and have 4- and 5-seater configurations.

Pricing-wise, ranging from X, G and Z for the three main petrol-powered variants, it starts from JPY 1,950,000 (MYR 64,011) to JPY 2,560,000 (MYR 84,073). 

Meanwhile, also ranging from X, G and Z, it starts from JPY 2,380,000 (MYR 78,203) to JPY 2,910,000 (MYR 95,616) for the 2WD hybrid, and JPY 2,578,000 (MYR 84,711) to JPY 3,108,000 (MYR 102,159) for the E-Four hybrid.

For the Welcab models, depending on the seating configurations and powertrain types it starts from JPY 2,130,000 (MYR 70,004) for the base, to JPY 2,870,000 (MYR 94,330) for the highest.

Conclusively, each generation of the Sienta has provided solid support for the family demographics, and this newly redesigned model will definitely continue those values even further.