The Toyota Sienna

The Toyota Sienna is due for a redesign for the 2010 model year, for more third-row and cargo space; a six-speed automatic is planned. The hybrid should show up in 2012. Nicer than the Odyssey in most ways, and certainly more reliable, the Toyota Sienna is now the third-best-selling minivan in America, after Dodge and Honda but ahead of Chrysler.  Neither a Mini-van, nor a full-size van either, Toyota slots their Sienna into the segment of 'Family Van.'  Power for the Sienna comes from Toyota's ubiquitous 3.5-liter, 266- horsepower V6, which produces 245 lb-ft of torque. Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (Dual VVT-i) provides optimal performance and efficiency throughout the power band. Energy is transmitted to the wheels through a five-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy checks in with EPA ratings of 17 City / 23 Highway.  Available in a seven, or eight-passenger configuration, depending on seating options, it can be found in four different trim levels: CE, LE, XLE, and the top-of-the-line Limited. All four come standard with front-wheel drive; LE, XLE and Limited also offer an all-wheel-drive option.  In designing the Sienna's interior, Toyota has tried to optimize space utilization wherever possible. By placing the gated transmission shifter on the dashboard, it has opened up a step-through path to the rear. Middle row seating can be had as either a versatile captain's chair arrangement, or a bench. CE and LE versions offer a Front and Center® middle seat that moves the chair forward for easier access to infant and toddler seating. All Sienna models ride on a 119.3-inch wheelbase, which allows for a third row fold-flat bench seat that folds into the floor for 'flat-floor' access.   The Limited model is standard with leather-trimmed upholstery, a 10- speaker stereo system, and heated front seats. An available DVD-based navigation system is an option in XLE and Limited models, and includes a backup camera that is enabled when the Sienna is placed in Reverse.  Safety features on the Sienna include front-seat mounted side airbags and curtains that extend for all three rows. The second row is equipped with the LATCH system for child seats, As in most Toyotas, expect to find the usual alphabet soup array of safety features: Anti-lock braking system (ABS), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC).  Although not the newest design on the block, the Sienna offers Toyota build quality in a vehicle built to haul the family with ease.

About Muncie, Indiana

The city of Muncie was incorporated in 1865. Contrary to popular legend, the city is not named after a mythological Chief Munsee, rather it was named after Munsee Town, the white settlers' name for the Indian village on the site.  The area was first settled in the 1770s by the Delaware Indians, who had been transported from their tribal lands near the east coast to Ohio and eastern Indiana.  Muncie is a city in Center Township, Delaware County in east central Indiana, best known as the home of Ball State University and the birthplace of the Ball Corporation. It is the principal city of the Muncie, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a population of 118,769. The population within city limits, as of a 2006 Census estimate, was 65,287.  Since the late 19th century, Muncie’s economic backbone had been the in the industrial sector, primarily in manufacturing.  Muncie is clearly in a state of economic and social transition, but has experienced moderate economic growth in recent years despite continuing to lose population.  Like many mid-sized cities in the rust belt, Muncie has had to economically reinvent itself due to the collective fall of the manufacturing industry in the latter part of the 20th century. Muncie’s current economic backbone is in the health care, educational, and human resources, and service industries.  Muncie is located Northwest of Richmond, approximately 45 miles and a driving time of one hour.