While the Sienna is all-new for '98, the Chrysler minivans got a clean-sheet redo in '96, and many features that proved efficient and effective on the first generation-like the MacPherson strut front suspension and a leaf-sprung beam axle in the rear-were transferred onto that clean sheet. (Save for the rear leafs, Toyota uses the same setup.) The new Dodge chassis proved remarkably solid and vibration free over a wide variety of road surfaces, which helped produce a well-controlled ride. The Dodge instrument panel is attractive and the controls are placed within easy reach. Ingenious features abound: ratcheting cupholders, a windshield wiper de-icer, roller-mounted third-row bench for easy removal, integral child seats, room for a stack of 4x8 plywood sheets and full-size 2x4s, and, perhaps the most noteworthy, the left-side sliding door. How much do we like the Caravan? Enough to make it, in 1996, the first minivan to win the Motor Trend Car of the Year Award. And it's topped every minivan comparo since that '96 makeover.
Changes to the Caravan for '98 are minimal: Automatic headlights are standard, the four-speed automatic has been upgraded for smoother operation, and its cruise control gets a "tap down" feature, allowing drivers to adjust speed 1 mph at a time.
Surprisingly, the Sienna retains nothing from its minivan predecessor, the Previa. While the Sienna isn't as tall or as wide as the Previa, it's longer and more generous with passenger room in most dimensions. However, the Previa boasted almost twice the cargo room behind the third row of seats.
Camry owners should delight in the fact that the Sienna's chassis is a stretched version of their favorite sedan. Despite the suspension similarities with the Caravan, the Sienna's ride is markedly smoother and less upset by pavement irregularities. This isn't a tiny difference only noticed by nit-picking, import-loving, egg-sucking auto writers, but a clear, in-the-first-100-yards-even-the-kids-remarked distinction. Most editors felt the Toyota's driver's seat was more comfortable, while the concave driver's seatback in the Dodge caused some lumbar stress during longer drives. Additionally, the Sienna offers a height adjustment on the driver's seat, not found on the Dodge. On the down side, the Sienna's huge, smooth plastic instrument panel cowl seemed less stylish than the Caravan's, while controls for its ventilation and, especially, sound systems were positioned far too low for best ergonomics.
Safety is a top priority with minivan owners, and Toyota combined the most stringent components from crash regulations around the world and added a few elements to create its own elevated impact survivability criteria for the Sienna. Thanks to its elaborately designed body structure, Toyota says the Sienna "meets or exceeds all foreseeable" regulations. An example: The Sienna is touted as the first minivan sold in the U.S. with front seatbelt pretensioners. Common in upscale European sport sedans, these employ a small pyrotechnic charge to cinch up the front belts in the first instant of a crash. Working in conjunction with the pretensioners, seatbelt force limiters put some give in the belts to soften the blow of body banging into belt: Slack is bad, a little give is good. Though independent crash tests have yet to be conducted (we aspired to avoid being the first), Toyota was confident the Sienna would receive the highest rating.
To help avoid accidents, the Sienna has a low-tire-pressure warning system. Similar to the setup used in the C5 Corvette, it employs ABS sensors to measure rotational speed relative to other wheels: When tire pressure drops, the rotational speed changes and the warning light glows. A safety feature found on the Dodge but not the Toyota: height adjustable upper seatbelt mounting points for second-row passengers. Also, integral child seats in the Toyota won't be available until later in the year.
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