Let’s work our way out from the inside. The new Sienna’s interior is a very, very habitable space. The middle row buckets tip forward, and slide fore and aft 26 inches, allowing occupants not only to lounge in comfort (especially if equipped with the optional La-Z-Boy-like ‘Long-Slide’ option), but they make access to the back row—which itself is quite comfortable—much easier for both kids and adults. All three rows are quite, meaning you can alternatively carry on conversations or hear babies scream better. The architecture of the dash is really quite engaging as well, though it makes for a bit of a reach to some of the controls, and color and trim choices like two-tone seats and contrast stitching are adventurous for the minivan segment.

Toyota says this is necessary; we must re-engage toe 6000,000 buyers who have defected to more hip vehicles like SUVs and crossovers. The Sienna’s sheetmetal attempts this as well; it is more expressive, and the new SE model boasts a firmer suspension and other changes to keep dad happy while the kids are in daycare.

He’ll find that indeed, the SE does handle with commendable acumen; it’s flat and hustles with surprising verve through the twisties. But this is undermined by the feel-free electric power steering, which blights all the Sienna offerings. Otherwise, the drive is as expected in a modern Toyota: quiet and smooth riding. There are two engine offerings, both paired to a smooth six-speed auto: the ubiquitous 3.5-liter V6 (266hp/245lb-ft) that gets better mileage than last year’s model, and a 187hp 4-cylinder that actually will move this rig along quite well and is rated at 22mpg in combined use. There’s still available AWD, too.

The number of offerings in the minivan segment have shrunk dramatically of late, and Toyota is betting that the overall excellence of this new Sienna will help it grab a bigger piece of this smaller pie. Lots of younger buyers are more independent minded (i.e. they wont be bothered to be seen driving a family truckster), and lots of empty-nesters are ready to embrace the ease of use and multiplicity of duties to which such a vehicle can be put, according to the company’s research.

All that may well be true. But what will bring people in are the great ways Toyota has improved minivan life: the 3rd row’s one-handed folding mechanism is genius, and the split-screen DVD system that can display two separate feeds should keep family drama to a minimum. In all the ways that matter for its mission, the Sienna is probably the best minivan ever conceived.

Price range: $24,260-39,770

Here’s Toyota’s take.

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