Toyota is upgrading the Sienna minivan and Yaris hatch at next month’s New York auto show.Technology is on the menu for both, mostly with safety system and infotainment upgrades.
Last year the Sienna got a new powertrain — a 296-hp V6 — and this year Toyota Safety Sense-P becomes standard equipment. On the Sienna, TSS-P includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist and automatic high beams.
The Sienna also gets a new version of its Entune media/entertainment system. The Sienna L, LE, SE and XLE grades come with navigation and Moving Maps. LE, SE, and XLE trims come standard with Entune Audio Plus. It adds Safety Connect (similar to OnStar) and Wi-Fi for up to five mobile devices. Other additions include five USB ports, updated rear-seat entertainment, a bird’s eye-view monitor on the Limited Premium and a 4.2-inch multi-information display.
New colors include toasted walnut pearl, or brown; alumina jade metallic, a grayish green; and Parisian night pearl, a dark blue.
The Yaris hatch gets a two-tone paintjob for show, as well as a bunch of tech and safety upgrades.
The Yaris L and LE come with a new front fascia, new grille and chrome accents. The SE gets a different new fascia with a piano black mesh grille. In back, buyers get wider taillamps, a new bumper and a lower bumper garnish, emphasizing the car’s width, according to Toyota.
Lower trims add the sportier instrument panel, and all now get a three-spoke steering wheel with audio controls.
As for tech, the base L and LE trims get the Entune bundle with MP3 playback, USB ports, voice recognition and Bluetooth. The SE gets the upgraded Entune system with a 7-inch screen and all of the bundle stuff, as well as navigation, satellite radio, HD radio, HD traffic and a few other bits.
TSS-C is carried over with pre-collision, lane departure alert and automatic high beams.
The Yaris gets a two-tone color option, new for 2018: blue eclipse/blue, with a black sand pearl/black roof.
The 2018 Yaris goes on sale this summer; the new Sienna comes out in fall.