Love its styling or hate it, one thing is certain: The Toyota Sienna has an imposing presence. Measuring 200 inches front to rear, on a 119-inch wheelbase, the Sienna is nearly identical in length to a full-size Chevrolet Tahoe sport-utility vehicle. There's nothing mini about this van, most especially when its big, angular headlights are bearing down on the car ahead at dusk.

The Sienna was developed expressly for the United States, and it's a very American vehicle, regardless of what its brand name might suggest. It was designed in Southern California and engineered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it's built in Princeton, Indiana. This family van may not inspire macho envy on cruise night, but its basic shape has its appeal, and it's nearly impossible to beat for utilitarian practicality.

Sneering grille work and those big headlights, freshened with a restyling for the 2006 model year, create the Sienna's first impression. The taillight clusters are big, too, in the name of visibility and safety. The windshield is huge, but long wipers and wiper-mounted washer nozzles are up to the worst conditions winter in the Snow Belt can dish up. On high-trim Siennas, a nearly invisible electric element at the bottom of the windshield keeps the wiper blades from freezing to the glass. Power-folding side mirrors are also available, and these feature bright puddle lights that illuminate when the doors are unlocked. They're handy for both functions.

In side view, the Sienna's profile is clean. The slot for the sliding doors is cleverly hidden. Black window pillars and extensions on the steeply raked windshield lend a sleek appearance, and make the Sienna look even larger than it is. Unfortunately, the overall impression of strength is undercut a bit by proportionally small wheels arches.

That's one reason we like the look of the Sienna Limited best. Its standard 17-inch wheels and lower profile tires maximize the impact of the small wheel wells, and its extra splash of chrome trim adds a bit of detail to the expanse of painted metal.