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On January 22, with the arrival of "Xiaonian" (Little New Year), many people have already entered "Spring Festival time." But even at this time, at the GAC Toyota Yubei Changxin dealership, there are still people looking at cars, and their target is very clear: the comfort "weapon" for going home during Spring Festival — the Sienna.
For Chinese families that often have six or more people, the advantages offered by a mid-to-large MPV are self-evident: a spacious and comfortable cabin, a driving experience that leans more toward a sedan, and cargo space that even exceeds that of an SUV.
A weapon for going home during Spring Festival
In fact, among joint-venture mid-to-large MPVs, the models with more choices include the SAIC Volkswagen Viloran, GAC Toyota Sienna, FAW Toyota Granvia (a sibling of the Sienna), and the more familiar SAIC-GM Buick GL8.
The prices of these models cover the range of 190,000 to 400,000 yuan, and they are generally popular among family users. However, for different consumers, how to choose the most suitable one among these all-excellent models actually requires careful consideration.
A weapon for going home during Spring Festival
For the GAC Toyota Sienna, the closest model is actually the FAW Toyota Granvia — as sibling models, the differences are very subtle. The Sienna's wheelbase reaches 3060 mm, and its body dimensions are 5165×1995×1765 mm respectively. By comparison, the Granvia has the same wheelbase, but its body is slightly longer, reaching 5175 mm.
The overall exterior of the two models is extremely similar. The biggest difference lies in the front lower grille: the Sienna adopts a horizontal grille design, while the Granvia uses a honeycomb design. On both sides of the lower grille, the Granvia leaves room for fog light areas, while the Sienna adopts an integrated design. In both cars, the fog lights are actually placed at the lower front lip. Overall, both have a luxurious and imposing appearance, with differences only in details. By comparison, the Sienna's front face looks more concise.
A weapon for going home during Spring Festival
In terms of power, the two are almost completely identical. Both use the THS II Toyota fourth-generation 2.5-liter Dynamic Force engine combined with nickel-metal hydride batteries and an electric motor to form a hybrid dual-engine system, paired with an E-CVT electronic continuously variable transmission system. The engine's maximum power reaches 139 kW, and maximum torque reaches 236 N·m.
Objectively speaking, like the Granvia, the Sienna pursues comfort and better fuel economy in its driving feel. Comfort comes from smoother and more linear acceleration and braking, while fuel economy is reflected in a WLTC combined cycle fuel consumption of only 5.66 liters per 100 kilometers — based on more than ten years of experience driving Toyota hybrid models, the Sienna's actual energy consumption may be better than the official data. Therefore, for consumers who do not want to choose a purely gasoline-powered MPV and also have concerns about new energy models such as battery electric or extended-range vehicles, the Sienna's "intelligent electric dual-engine" may be the optimal choice. It offers sufficiently long comprehensive range capability, while eliminating worries about queuing to charge at highway service areas during Spring Festival or being stuck on the road worrying about running out of fuel.
A weapon for going home during Spring Festival
The 2024 GAC Toyota Sienna has upgraded its intelligent cockpit configuration. In higher-trim models, the infotainment chip has been upgraded to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155P, the 12.3-inch intelligent central control screen has improved resolution, facial and voiceprint recognition have been added, and it is equipped with an AI intelligent voice system developed by Huawei, which not only supports smoother voice control functions but also greatly improves response efficiency.
Of course, the key point is that the 2024 Sienna has further upgraded cabin quietness and comfort. The second row has been upgraded to double-layer laminated sound-insulating glass, and at human contact points such as below the center console and on the armrests, more refined leather wrapping is used. Combined with multi-color interior options including wood grain, overall luxury and comfort have been greatly improved.
A weapon for going home during Spring Festival
Compared with the improvement in cockpit intelligence, the Toyota Pilot advanced driver assistance system equipped on the Sienna is even more suitable for the long journey home during Spring Festival: this L2-level driver assistance system is equipped with functions including full-speed-range DRCC Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (with following function), PCS Pre-Collision Safety System (with front pedestrian detection), and LTA Lane Tracing Assist — to add a few words about this system, in addition to the function of driving centered according to road markings, the LTA system on the Sienna can also recognize asphalt roads or curbs and provide assisted partial steering operation. In addition, there are functions such as AHS and AHB intelligent high/low beam adjustment.
In addition, the Sienna is also equipped with an intelligent parking system, such as the PKSB parking assist braking function. When there is a stationary object behind or a vehicle approaching from the rear side, the system will issue an alarm or intervene in power and braking control. This function has already been experienced on the new-generation Camry, and the effect is direct and ideal.
A weapon for going home during Spring Festival
The "C position" that mid-to-large MPVs usually highlight, namely the unmatched second row, has also achieved a fully equipped level in the Sienna. In addition to wider and more comfortable second-row seats and power leg rests, higher-trim versions are also equipped with heating/ventilation/massage functions.
Another feature is unique to Toyota, namely the wheelchair-accessible vehicle function (limited to the Luxury Welcab version) — a power lift wheelchair-accessible seat on the right side of the second row that can be electrically rotated outside the vehicle via remote control, allowing elderly people with limited mobility to get in and out more easily.
A weapon for going home during Spring Festival
The Sienna also offers two four-wheel-drive versions, so for some consumers who need to drive on icy and snowy roads, choosing the four-wheel-drive version will make driving more stable.
At the GAC Toyota Yubei Changxin dealership, the editor also took the opportunity to ask about the Sienna's current market situation. In terms of discount margin, everyone can roughly understand it this way when buying: negotiate the "on-road price" based on the "official guide price." Compared with before, it is much easier to buy now.
Author: Liu Ying LY
