1. Introduction/ Design and Appearance
2.Interior and Features / Space and Practicality
3.Driving Experience / Competition and Pricing

Interior and Features 

The Sienta’s cockpit has an almost lounge-like feel now, thanks to a new gray fabric upholstery that Toyota claims is water/oil/odour resistant – very useful considering the chaotic aspects of children.

Toyota has also taken a step up in the digital realm, with a 7.0-inch driver’s display and particularly the 9.0-inch infotainment system which is wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay capable. It’s far clearer and more legible in daylight than Toyota’s preceding touchscreens, and brings it on par with the Koreans. 

With the Sienta’s mainstream positioning, it’s a pleasant surprise that the Sienta comes with a very robust safety loadout, the highlights being six airbags and active safety via Toyota Safety System (TSS), which has the expected gamut of systems like active cruise control, AEB, lane keeping, and more.

Overall, the Sienta’s extant airy, tall cabin feel has been bolstered by a truly useful feature set, and less obvious hard plastics, which raise the tone of the cabin. There’s more space up front thanks to the shift-by-wire system, as it leaves an open space to stow a bag, or to give you access to the second row directly, by foot and a little contortion. Which leads us to the next section…

Space and Practicality

If you have a family of five, and need to carry two more on occasion, the Sienta is an excellent choice of small car. Sliding doors on both sides, and a generous aperture means it’s very easy to get into. The second row is adjustable (fore/aft, and for seat angle), and can deliver ample room for two adults, three being squeezy. There’s a useful touch in the smartphone pocket and dual USB-C ports behind the driver’s seat.

The third row is good, as far as small, seven-seat cars are concerned, and there’s more space there than a European small MPV like the Volkswagen Touran or first-gen BMW 2 Series Active Tourer. It means adults won’t be screaming for release after a half hour drive, at least. Entering the third row is easy too, with a single-action access moving the second row out of the way. All around, the generous headroom and tall windows help ward off claustrophobia.

Toyota does not quote a boot space figure in litres, but by our reckoning it has to be less than 100-litres with all seats in play, around 400-plus litres with the third row folded, and A Lot Of Space with all seats folded. The novel seat folding system means you can fold the third row almost flat, and the second row out of the way. Toyota says the car’s height means you can easily fit bicycles in this mode.

The number of dads I showed it to (three) all nodded in appreciation at the convenience features, the plentiful headroom which eases child tie-down or retrieval. Overall child-control is also easier, especially the ability for mom to make good on the ‘Don’t Make Me Come Back There’ threat at any given time.

Page 3 : Space like a bus, but does it drive and drink like one?

1. Introduction/ Design and Appearance
2.Interior and Features / Space and Practicality
3.Driving Experience / Competition and Pricing

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