Toyota Sienna Generation 1 (1997–2003)

Toyota Sienna Generation 1 (1997–2003) — production years, market prices by model year, NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, and live listings for sale on VehiSales.

Toyota Sienna — body generations

Generation Produced Facelift
Generation 1 1997–2003 —
Generation 2 2004–2006 —
Generation 4 2011–2016 —
Generation 5 2017–2020 —
Generation 6 2021–present —

Vehicles within one generation share the same platform and body style.

Engines used in the Sienna

Engine families this model shipped with, by NHTSA VIN build data — each links to every model that shares it.

Engine Years in this model Also used in VIN builds ⓘ
Toyota 3.5L V6 (2GR) 2007–2020 7 models 126
Toyota 2.5L I4 (A25A Dynamic Force) 2021–2026 18 models 118
Toyota 3.0L 6-cylinder 1997–2003 13 models 31

About this generation

In 1997, Toyota launched the front-wheel drive 1998 model year Sienna in the North American market as a replacement for the mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive Previa. The Sienna debuted with a 3.0-liter 1MZ-FE V6 engine rated at and of torque. Built on an extended platform of the XV20 Toyota Camry, the Sienna was appropriately marketed as the "Camry of minivans," capitalizing on the Camry's popularity and reputation. It came in three trim levels: CE, LE, and XLE.

The LE and XLE models were equipped with second row captain's chairs while the CE models came equipped with a two-passenger bench seat in the second row. The seats may be folded and individually removed as needed. The driver side sliding door and roof rack were standard on the XLE models but were optional on the LE and CE models. The XLE models offered leather seats and a wood trim package. The Sienna also touted best-in-class fuel economy of city driving and highway driving.

It was built in Georgetown, Kentucky. A year after its release, the Sienna faced new competition from the redesigned and V6-equipped Honda Odyssey minivan, which was larger than the Sienna. This generation was noteworthy for its impressive safety content as one of the few minivans at the time to offer options including front seat-mounted side torso airbags and Vehicle Stability Control. Anti-lock braking was standard.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rated the Sienna "Good" in all six frontal crash test measures, which was far better than the Previa. The Sienna underwent a facelift in 2000 for the 2001 model year. Several colors were added and removed. The front grille, bumper, and tail lights were redesigned, and the speedometer got a new look. Toyota also revamped the center console area to add more usability to the HVAC controls along with new locations for the accessory switches (rear vent, power sliding doors, and heated seats (XLE models)).

The engine also came equipped with a variable valve timing feature VVT-i boosting output to. The driver side sliding door became standard on all models, although the roof rack remained optional on the CE models. In 2001, for the 2002 model year, the Symphony Package became available for the LE models, where some extra items included a premium JBL cassette, captain chairs in the front and middle rows, heated mirrors, and so on.

It was offered with the choice of three body colors. In 2002, for the 2003 model year, the Sienna remained unchanged. The first-generation Sienna was marred by a class-action settlement for an engine oil sludge problem which affected the V6 engines in many Toyota models. Symptoms of the problem include oil smoke in the exhaust, oil quickly becoming dark or black after an oil change, gasoline odor in the oil, high oil consumption, and eventually engine failure.

Source: Wikipedia — Toyota Sienna — First generation (XL10; 1997), CC BY-SA.

For sale right now