No Winter Worries for Toyota Sienna Van, RAV4 Compact SUV

The 2015 Toyota Sienna and RAV4 models offer some significant ways to counter winter's safety hazards. AMCI, an independent agency, completed certified testing of these two models in snow and ice conditions. The results backed up Toyota's claims that the minivan and SUV are among the best-equipped to handle winter dangers. This is especially important given the status of the Toyota RAV4 and the Sienna as family haulers.

Coping with winter challenges starts with all-wheel drive, which is a favorite option on both the Sienna and the RAV4. AMCI certified testing found that these two AWD Toyotas outperformed rivals in acceleration, traction and handling. The Toyota RAV4 AWD was shown to deliver better active-safety acceleration, cornering and handling on snow than its competitors.

The least surprising finding, perhaps, was that the Toyota Sienna AWD minivan outshone its front-wheel-drive minivan competitors. The Sienna is the only minivan to offer all-wheel drive, and the testing demonstrates that the system definitely earns its keep. Perhaps the most surprising result was the way in which the Sienna AWD minivan performed when cornering on snow and ice. In this instance, the Sienna did as well as competing midsize AWD SUVs.

The AMCI testing also revealed these findings. Both models were able to stop faster on the ice at 30 miles per hour. The Sienna demonstrated the best cornering performance on ice, while both models demonstrated excellent cornering performance on snow. The RAV4 demonstrated better evasive action on snow. Both demonstrated ample agility and balance when sprinting from zero to 50 mph in snowy conditions.

The Sienna utilizes part-time all-wheel drive, which conserves fuel when AWD isn't needed. When AWD is engaged, the transfer case delivers a 50/50 torque split to the front and rear axles. This decreases wheel slippage by transferring power to the wheels with traction. On wet and slippery roads, the system monitors conditions electronically and makes calculations designed to maintain traction. As the AMCI testing demonstrates, this system increases agility and ensures balance and stability.

The RAV4 has Dynamic Torque Control. This sophisticated all-wheel drive system coordinates action between its stability control system and its electric power steering. The goal is greater performance as well as better handling and safety.

It is interesting to note that both the Sienna AWD and the Sienna FWD have earned the top score of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These models feature eight airbags. Furthermore, the Sienna is one of only two minivans to earn Top Safety Pick Plus from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS). The 2015 RAV4 got excellent scores from the IIHS as well, earning the designation of Top Safety Pick.

The 2015 Toyota Sienna is also equipped to keep its passengers warmer in the winter. In addition to rear venting, the three-zone climate controls better regulate the temperature for the rear seat occupants. Heated seats and a heated steering wheel are favorite winter options. The Sienna also features a standard wiper de-icer and heated side mirrors. The RAV4 offers similar ways to deal with winter's woes.

Since both have proven their worth in real-life snow and ice conditions, the RAV4 AWD and the Sienna AWD seem like logical choices for those who face winter's tough safety challenges.

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