Towing with a 3.3 or a 3.5 litre engine - any noticeable difference?

[miked1014]

We are in the market for a newer Sienna from our current 1998 LE model. I went and tested a 2011 Sienna and was presently surprised by the punch the engine had. I next tested a 2006 model and found it had a lot less punch.

If we look at the engines,

First Gen Sienna : 3 litre, 210 hp, 220 torque
Second Gen (1): 3.3 litre, 230 hp (downgraded by test method to 215) and 242 torque (downgraded to 230)
Second Gen (2): 3.5 litre, 266, 248

We previously towed our Bigfoot 17 (guessing all in weight close to 3500 pounds) with our 1998, and found it worked pretty well at highway speed and moderate inclines (in one BC park with ridiculous roads, the engine did get noticeably hotter).

I am sure the 3.5 litre will have more oomph - but I am wondering if anyone has found the 3.3 to be a poor vehicle for towing (do you think it has enough engine capacity for towing).

I can get a 2005 XLE Limited right now (low km, decent price), or wait for 2007 LE model returns.

Thanks in advance for your opinions and experience, love the site.

Mike

[shineysideup]

We are in the market for a newer Sienna from our current 1998 LE model. I went and tested a 2011 Sienna and was presently surprised by the punch the engine had. I next tested a 2006 model and found it had a lot less punch.

If we look at the engines,

First Gen Sienna : 3 litre, 210 hp, 220 torque
Second Gen (1): 3.3 litre, 230 hp (downgraded by test method to 215) and 242 torque (downgraded to 230)
Second Gen (2): 3.5 litre, 266, 248

We previously towed our Bigfoot 17 (guessing all in weight close to 3500 pounds) with our 1998, and found it worked pretty well at highway speed and moderate inclines (in one BC park with ridiculous roads, the engine did get noticeably hotter).

I am sure the 3.5 litre will have more oomph - but I am wondering if anyone has found the 3.3 to be a poor vehicle for towing (do you think it has enough engine capacity for towing).

I can get a 2005 XLE Limited right now (low km, decent price), or wait for 2007 LE model returns.

Thanks in advance for your opinions and experience, love the site.

Mike

I tow a 25' full size travel trailer ( 5200 - 5500 lbs loaded ) with an '04 xle AWD. If you've been happy with the performance of your '98 I'm sure that you would be more than happy with either engine. Does your '98 have a 4 or 5 speed tranny? The extra gear makes a difference also...

[miked1014]

My 98 is probably 5 gears. It has an overdrive switch, which I shut off while towing.

You are probably right about an 05 being as good as the 98 (which was pretty good for towing). It was just surprising the difference in how the 2011 responded to the accelerator compared to the older 3.3 engine.

Cheers

Wow - towing 5,000 pound trailer would kind of scare me - but its interesting to note that you have been ok with it.

[p220sigman]

We tow a larger pop-up that comes in around 3300 lbs with our '04 and it does fine, but having a few extra ponies and some more torque couldn't be a bad thing. If I were in the market, I would probably be looking at a newer one with the larger engine.

[shineysideup]

We tow a larger pop-up that comes in around 3300 lbs with our '04 and it does fine, but having a few extra ponies and some more torque couldn't be a bad thing. If I were in the market, I would probably be looking at a newer one with the larger engine.

Add to the fact that you don't have to do the timing belt on the 3.5. Side by side, I think I would go for the newer model with the bigger motor ( and a timing chain - less maintenance and money! ).

[brian_bp]

To put this in perspective, a few years ago commercial truckers would tow several tons with no more power than the 2004-2006 Sienna. Man, are we spoiled.

I find that our 2004 has more than enough power to tow our 3000 lb travel trailer in all road conditions and grades. Sure, more would be better... but it is far from required.

[miked1014]

Bit the bullet. The 3.5 is way too much fun. Bought 2007 XLE with 79,000 km.

I tried the 2011, which is nice, but the handling seems better with the older model.

Cheers

[jh818]

Bit the bullet. The 3.5 is way too much fun. Bought 2007 XLE with 79,000 km.

I tried the 2011, which is nice, but the handling seems better with the older model.

Cheers

The '07s have the factory oil coolers built in and the tow package standard I believe. I think Toyota discontinued it on the '08 and that was an option.