Kelley Blue Book chose a wide variety of vehicles for its list, but the common theme throughout was all-wheel drive, the technology that many winter drivers have come to depend on. The 2012 Toyota Sienna is the only minivan available with all-wheel drive, making it a natural choice for families looking to safely get around this winter. That reputation for safety is backed up by the model recently being named one of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's 2012 Top Safety Picks, receiving top scores in the organization's frontal-offset, side-impact, roof-strength and rear crash-protection tests.
"New York drivers can count on the Sienna to keep them safe in all conditions," said Mike Raucci, general manager of Upstate New York Toyota dealer New Country Toyota of Clifton Park. "With the amount of snow and ice we get, having all-wheel drive can be the difference between a white-knuckled commute and a careful drive home. That added capability and safety is even more important with your family onboard."
Available on 2012 Toyota Sienna LE, XLE and LTD models, the automaker's all-wheel-drive system comes with active torque control to distribute power between the front and rear wheels, making the most out of the available traction. That capability doesn't come with a big penalty at the gas pump either: Sporting a powerful V6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission, the all-wheel-drive Sienna is still fuel efficient relative to its size, returning 23 mpg on the highway.
While there are many vehicles that can get around in adverse conditions, few can do so while carrying as much as the Sienna. With a reconfigurable interior that can seat seven or eight passengers, the Sienna is tailor-made to carry cargo and occupants around in comfort. Interior cargo space can expand from 39.1 cubic-feet with all three rows of seats in use to 87.1 cubic-feet with the third row folded flat. Cargo room expands even further with the second row of seats out of the way, swelling to a cavernous 150 cubic-feet.
Family-friendly features in the Toyota Sienna include the available Dual-View Entertainment Center, which can display two different movies simultaneously to prevent back-seat arguments on road trips. There is also an available voice-activated navigation system with a touchscreen, which can display two different back-up camera views to make backing into a parking space easier. Another option is Bluetooth connectivity to make hands-free phone calls, a feature growing ever more useful as more states reign in phone use while on the road.
"Families tend to keep their vehicles for a long time, and Toyota has made sure Sienna owners won't feel that their minivan is outdated anytime soon," Raucci noted. "Between Toyota's history of reliability and the Sienna's cutting-edge technology, Upstate New York drivers can expect that the Sienna will serve them well for many years to come."
About New Country Toyota of Clifton Park:
Albany Toyota drivers have trusted New Country Toyota of Clifton Park for years for one reason: respect. Whether they're looking for a refined new Camry or a tough, certified pre-owned Tundra, New Country Toyota of Clifton Park puts customers' needs first. When it comes to maintaining Toyotas, their trained Toyota service technicians will keep vehicles running like new for years to come. Part of the New Country Motor Car Group, New Country Toyota of Clifton Park is located at 202 Route 146 in Mechanicville, N.Y. Shoppers can browse their extensive new and used Toyota inventory at www.toyotaofcliftonpark.com, find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NCToyotaClifton or reach them by phone at 866-979-9894.