Ranked #1 out of 8 minivans by US News and World Report and described by AutoWeek as the "best minivan out there", the 2012 Toyota Sienna is just the shot in the arm needed by the ailing minivan market. At a time when many consider minivans to be on their deathbeds, most reviewers are actually excited about this vehicle. In fact, almost every reviewer to test drive the 2012 Toyota Sienna recommends it wholeheartedly. And why not? With a slick exterior and comfortable interior, this baby boasts many exciting features including a fuel efficient 4-cylinder engine on the base LE trim (with the option for the more powerful V6 engine), 6 speed automatic transmission, optional sliding second row with recliners (nicknamed Lounge Seating), the Dual View Entertainment Center which can play two DVDs at once, and much more. It also remains the only minivan with available All Wheel Drive. More importantly, the 2011 and 2012 Siennas come standard with Toyota's Star Safety System and are NOT affected by Toyota's much publicized accelerator recall or the recalls regarding rusting spare tire holders which affected the 1998-2010 model year Siennas. Moreover, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named the Sienna a Top Safety Pick based on its performance in crash tests.

The 2012 Toyota Sienna ranks well in all categories including performance, design, comfort, safety, and reliability. Automobile Magazine has described the Sienna as being "pleasant and fun to drive". The fact that the Sienna is the only minivan with available All Wheel Drive is a huge plus especially when driving in bad weather. With five different trims and many options to choose from, you virtually get a minivan tailor made to suit your needs. For example, if you're looking for fuel economy with decent power, you can go with the 4-cylinder engine. Conversely, if you drive a lot of people around you may opt for the more powerful V6 engine. If you're looking for something a bit more sporty and agile, there's also the new LE trim with a revised suspension and steering system (although the Honda Odyssey still holds the reputation of being the sportiest minivan around). Overall, most reviewers agree that the Sienna gets high marks for performance regardless of the specific trim or options you choose.

Most reviewers consider the 2012 Sienna to be attractive and like the swoopy lines and fender flares. Popular Mechanics describes the exterior of the Sienna SE as "slick, grounded, and modern" and easily "the best looking minivan on the market". The interior features comfortable seats and many high tech options like the popular Dual View Entertainment Center. The second row "Lounge Seating" is especially liked by reviewers. On the downside, cargo space is just average and the optional eighth seat (which is collapsible and fits in between the two second-row captain's chairs) is hard and uncomfortable to sit on.

Safety is undoubtedly a prime concern especially with the problems that Toyota has faced in recent times. The new generation Siennas, however, do not disappoint and come equipped with front and side airbags, three-row side curtain airbags, a driver's knee bag, and head restraints on the front seats. An electronic stability system and anti-lock brakes come standard while a rearview camera and parking sensors are standard on all models except the base ones. There is also an option for a Pre-Collision system which allows the vehicle to sense and prepare for an impending collision.

When it comes to reliability, few will match the new Sienna. J.D. Power and Associates gives the 2011 Sienna a perfect 10 out 10 based on its quality and dependability data for the past three years. And as already mentioned, Toyota's recall problems did not affect the 2011 and 2012 Siennas.

Having gone over many of the Sienna's great new features, it is only fair that we see how well it fares against some of its competitors. The first vehicle that comes to mind is the Honda Odyssey. While the Sienna's performance is impressive (particularly with the V6 engine) some reviewers still believe that the Odyssey is a better performer and drives better than the Sienna. The starting price of the Odyssey, however, is about $2,000 higher than the base Sienna's starting price of around $25,000. The Kia Sedona is another strong competitor. While not as feature rich as the Sienna, the Kia Sedona offers a similar level of comfort and practicality and starts at $2,000 less than the base Sienna. No matter what the case, if you are looking for a minivan for your family the new Sienna is one definitely worth considering. With Toyota with spending a reported $1 million an hour on research and improving the safety of their vehicles and dealers more likely to negotiate on some incredible deals, this may in fact be the best time to buy a Toyota. Don't pass this opportunity by!