Toyota hopes to change consumers’ perception of minivans with fresh design and features that will help erase the segment’s “soccer mom” image.

Gone is milquetoast styling— replaced this year by taut sheet metal that steeps the 2011 Toyota Sienna minivan with vitality for families interested in a fully functional vehicle with up to eight passenger capacity.

The 2011 Sienna comes in Base, LE, SE, XLE and Limited trim. The sporty SE is new to the Sienna lineup with specific styling cues, larger wheels and a sport-tuned suspension.

Sienna Base and LE come standard with an efficient 2.7 liter four-cylinder engine that musters 187 horsepower for 19 miles per gallon on the boulevard and 26 mpg across the Borman Expressway.

A 3.5L V-6 delivering 266 hp is optional on LE and standard on all other Sienna models. Sienna LE V-6, XLE and Limited models are available with all-wheel drive (AWD).

Sienna’s eight-passenger seating is created by a detachable second row jump seat that can be stowed in the cargo bay when not in use. Second row captain’s chairs travel 23 inches fore and aft to aid passenger and cargo room.

For 2011, Sienna captain’s chairs tilt up and slide forward to the front row seat backs creating a spacious corridor to the adult-size three-passenger third row.

When not occupied, the third row—available with power assist—can be folded flat into the rear storage hold. That combined with the manual removal of the second row affords 150 cubic feet of cargo capacity.

Available second row “lounge seating," standard on Limited and XLE with AWD, offers deep-reclining captain’s chairs with a large flip-up leg rest. However, this seating system eliminates the tip-up and slide procedure and detachable jump seat feature.

Auto Access Seat

The Sienna minivan is built at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing assembly plant in Princeton, Indiana. And for the first time, a power assisted second row access seat will be available as a factory installed option on Sienna LE and XLE models.

Sienna’s Auto Access Seat is a seating solution for caregivers who transfer an elderly or disabled person into their vehicle. The seat lifts up to 330 pounds.

The seat system features one-touch operation and is accessed through Sienna’s sliding side doors. A seat mounted ingress/egress switch and a wireless remote control allows easy seat operation.

Auto Access Seat rotates 90-degrees and can be lowered within 19 inches of the ground to further facilitate the passenger transfer.

It also comes with an auto recline feature that allows for safe head clearance through the door frame during exit or entry.

The 2011 Toyota Sienna V-6 LE, XLE and Limited models go on sale next month starting at $28,900 including freight. Four cylinder models and SE arrive in April with prices beginning at $24,260.