Sienna inputs

The Honda suspension is not stiff at all. But it might give too much road feel for some drivers. If I am going over a road in really bad shape I find that I need to really hold on to the steering wheel. But if you read any review that compares the Toyota and Sienna, they all say that the Honda van handles better. It isn't just my opinion.

No the ride is outstanding but it might give more road feel at the steering wheel than some people like when they are on bumpy roads.

Does the steering wheel vibrate when on rough roads?

Guess I'd have to drive one to say it handled well or not. A mini-van that handles well or not is matter of personal opinion. We're not talking about formula one racing cars here.

No it is not a question of vibration. It gives you the feel of the road. So if the right wheel is pulled by a road rut to the right you will feel the steering wheel go to the right whereas in my experience with Toyota's, the steering is pretty much numb as far as road feel goes. Maybe the better way of saying it is that the Toyota feels like it has more power assist to its power steering like a GM car from decades ago. Whereas the Honda is easy to steer but doesn't feel assisted. By the way, my wife's hybrid accord has electric steering and feels more like a Toyota than a non-hybrid Accord. So I assume the difference is in the power system and not in the the front end design or suspension because the accord hybrid and non-hybrid have the same frontend and suspension.

There is a difference of opinion regarding what is good handling. If my vehicle tends to jump to the right or left when I hit a bump or pothole that would not be a desirable in my view, my 94 caravan did that and even after I changed the shocks, it was wicked. I'd much ..rather ...it go in a straight line except when making a corner, then I would want it to turn in the direction I point it and not understeer. The Sienna seems to be very good as far as understeer and for being front wheel drive and a mini-van. It has a very sharp turning circle and goes where I point it. Not a formula one racer by any means, but very good as a mini-van. I should drive a Ody just to compare, but I don't know anyone who owns one. I do see plenty of them on the road though.

I should add that my Honda is the touring model with the run flat Michelin tires with the doughnut inside. It might handle differently than the EX-L and lower models with regular tires.

Touring models tend to have beefed up suspensions. I have read where the run flats do tend to be stiffer riding also. Why did you need run flats? The reason Toyota used run flats for the AWD model Sienna is because the extra running gear underneath took up the space where the spare is stored on standard models.

Darn if I know. To get the power rear door you had to buy the touring with run flat tires and dvd player. I wanted the power rear door because I rented a Chrysler minivan in Florida for a week last year and I couldn't believe how filthy the back door gets. I think it was a dubious marketing decision by Honda and in fact they surveyed me on the issue. On the other hand, if I ever do get a flat I might like them. The worse thing about the run flats is that not every gas station in the world is equipped to repair them. Michelin has some sort of guarantee that if they can't get them fixed for you in a certain length of time they pay for your hotel that night.

That's comforting to know that at least you'll stay in a hotel for the night and not in your vehicle.

I didn't think I'd like the power sliding side doors, but I changed my attitude because they are a great help when the weather is bad and I got my arms full of stuff.

If you drive around eighty and ninty year old parents, power sliding doors really come in handy.

I don't, but I can see where that would be a advantage. They are worth it in my estimation and the Toyota doors are pretty bullet proof, at least 04 and up.