Toyota Sienta MPV (Malaysia)
The Sienta’s origins as a JDM model is
clear from its unconventional styling, a big departure from ASEAN-oriented
Toyota MPVs such as the Innova, Avanza and the new Calya. Sienta chief engineer
Hiroshi Kayukawa says that Toyota had, from start, plans to sell the second-gen
Sienta outside of Japan. The CE, who is in town for the launch, had driven in
Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia (including a drive up to Genting Highlands) as
part of his research.
At 4,235 mm long, 1,695 mm wide and
1,695 mm tall, the Sienta is around the size of the Perodua Alza, being 35 mm
shorter and 75 mm taller (same width). The wheelbase is 2,750 mm long, matching
the Alza. The ASEAN-market Sienta – made in Indonesia for the region – has a 25
mm higher ground clearance than its Japanese-market equivalent, at 170 mm.
The Sienta is powered by a 1.5 litre
four-cylinder engine making 107 PS at 6,000 rpm and 140 Nm at 4,200 rpm, mated
to a CVT with seven virtual ratios. The 2NR-FE Dual VVT-i engine is from the
same modern NR family as the 1.3L unit in the Avanza and Perodua Bezza. Drive
goes to the front wheels.
Two trim levels are available, the 1.5G
and the top 1.5V. The V model comes with all the bells and whistles, including
bi-LED headlights with LED positioning lights, 16-inch machine-finish alloy
wheels and light guides for the tail lights. The base 1.5G makes do with
halogen headlamps, 15-inch rims and plain LED tail lights (no LED signatures).
Both models get LED daytime running lights.
The Sienta’s dashboard design is as
wacky as the exterior, with a dual-tier dash sporting a Peugeot 208-style
high-mounted instrument cluster. The centre console with unique air-con
controls, floor-mounted gearlever and added storage space is different from the
JDM model, as is a rear air-con blower – but the novel way in which the
third-row seats “dive in” under the one-touch tumble second-row seats has been
retained.
A note on the floor vs column-mounted
shifter. According to Kayukawa, the ASEAN Sienta’s floor shifter location is to
accommodate a manual transmission (available in Indonesia), while the JDM
Sienta is CVT-only. Also, our CVT model comes with manual mode, which is not
present in the domestic model. Ease of use and fuel efficiency is the main
priority for minivan customers in Japan.
The V spec car comes with goodies such
as an acoustic windscreen, keyless entry, push-button start, Optitron
instruments, a Camry-style colour multi-info display, automatic air-con, a
6.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with voice control and a reverse
camera. Also included is brown fabric upholstery, a leather-wrapped
multifunction steering wheel, twin electric sliding doors, premium security and
solar tinting and a locally-fitted digital video recorder (dash cam).
The G spec Sienta gets none of the
above, and is instead equipped with a 2-DIN Bluetooth-enabled head unit, black
upholstery and a single electric sliding door on the passenger (left) side.
Safety equipment is identical on both
models, which is good. All Sienta buyers get three airbags (dual front plus
driver’s knee), ABS with EBD and brake assist, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC),
Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) and Isofix child seat anchors on the outer
second-row seats. The Sienta has not been crash tested by ASEAN NCAP yet, but
Toyota expects a five-star rating.
Options include a RM 2,109 DVD-AVX
touchscreen infotainment system with reverse camera for the 1.5G, a RM 3,169
DVD-AVN navigation system and a RM2,014 upgrade to the DVD-AVN system for 1.5V
buyers. Buyers of the G and opt for either the RM 1,166 “Toyota Essential Solar
Film” or the RM 2,109 “Toyota Premium Security & Solar Film”. The latter is
standard on the V.
The Sienta 1.5G starts at RM 92,900,
while the 1.5V retails for RM 99,900, both on-the-road with insurance, inclusive
of a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty. Seeing that the difference between
trims is just RM 7,000, the V’s much longer spec sheet appears to be the better
deal.
