This Sienna Northstar E360 is the first ADA compliant in-floor Toyota!
Alongside usual advantages, Northstar E360 conversion offers in-floor ramp, Toyota Sienna L chassis, great headroom and interior space (industry most spacious conversion). This van meets rigorous demands of ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act National Network).
This means the van has side rails, ramp illumination for safety entrance, door entrance lighting, middle row seat and more. Since it can carry up to 7 passengers and knowing the fact it is convenient for able-bodied passengers it is a great vehicle for assisted living centers, handicap van rentals, hotels, non-emergency medical transportation, churches etc.
Anyone who needs a wheelchair accessible minivan for commercial purpose should consider this model as a first choice.
At first I thought is this really the first ADA compliant wheelchair accessible van or is that just a marketing technique? Then I realized that it was the first ADA compliant Toyota. My 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan has automatic doors & ramp, and the vehicle kneels down when to ramp is open to ensure that the incline of the ramp isn't steep. If I'm using my power chair, I have an auto locking mechanism inside the van that'll lock my chair into place without the need of anyone's assistance.
When we were first looking for wheelchair accessible vans we did consider the Toyota but the issue we encountered was space. There's not too much turning space and certainly not enough headroom because my head was hitting the roof all the time and I was 5'11 then and I'm 6'3 now. The Dodge had the most space & headroom which is why I ended up getting it. It'd be good for Toyota to improve in these areas but have all the automatic door & ramp function as well.
I have had Toyota Sienna AWD vans for the last eight years. I love them. They are tanks in the snow and I have never had a maintenance issue. Tires and oil changes thats it. Gas mileage is not the best but I get about 22 23 mpg. They ride really nice too. I don't have a ramp but took the rear seat out behind the drivers. I then can reach from behind and pull the entire wheelchair in the car without breaking it down. It works out great for me right now. I am very hesitant to get a ramped van due to all the problems I hear people have, especially in the north with bad weather. Hopefully this unit works well with toyota.
I have had Toyota Sienna AWD vans for the last eight years. I love them. They are tanks in the snow and I have never had a maintenance issue. Tires and oil changes thats it. Gas mileage is not the best but I get about 22 23 mpg. They ride really nice too. I don't have a ramp but took the rear seat out behind the drivers. I then can reach from behind and pull the entire wheelchair in the car without breaking it down. It works out great for me right now. I am very hesitant to get a ramped van due to all the problems I hear people have, especially in the north with bad weather. Hopefully this unit works well with toyota.
Yeah the automatic ramps and kneeling is great to have but they break down. Sucks when they do and it's costly but it's worth it for when it works!
AWD must be great! Our van is FWD and with winter tires it's ok in the snow but nothing impressive. That's why I'm considering an accessible pickup truck or this van as the next vehicle to replace our van when the time comes.
DJ, I was amazed in the difference between a front wheel drive and AWD mini van. Their a heavier van and really go well in the snow. Plus being heavier they ride much better. Just a thought. If you ever get a chance, test drive one. I do miss my Ford-E350. I had them too before sci. They were terrible in the snow but a great work van.
DJ, I was amazed in the difference between a front wheel drive and AWD mini van. Their a heavier van and really go well in the snow. Plus being heavier they ride much better. Just a thought. If you ever get a chance, test drive one. I do miss my Ford-E350. I had them too before sci. They were terrible in the snow but a great work van.
Yeah these longer vans suck in the winter if they're just RWD but the AWD ones are just great!
I tried the front wheel sienna's but they were terrible in the snow. I am surprised how much of a better ride the AWD is over a regular van. It must be the weight but very stable, sturdy with a great ride. Plus there tanks in the snow. They cost a little more than other brands but I have never had an issue with sliding doors or other mechanical parts. I have only done my normal maintenance. If you ever consider a minivan, test drive one of these. You will be sold. Have a great weekend.
Post by petelanddownunder on Jun 2, 2015 5:12:06 GMT -8
Australia has some catching up to do to offer classy self drive transport options for disabled people. You should consider yourselves lucky that you have such affordable? choice... I wish
All Toyota and Honda vehicles in that list. They're certainly reliable vehicles.
Yes, couldn't help but notice that! My Honda Element is built on the Civic platform, so hoping it will last as long as I drive--now has only 35,000 miles. My Honda wagon went 21 years, forget what the mileage was--no major repairs, just usual age-related maintenance! And my Dodge Dart 1972 sedan went 500,000 miles--body was patched like crazy (by me!), and it had one valve job, three exhaust systems, and a few other things, but I could not complain. That was a slant-6 225cf engine, legendary for its longevity. The man who owned it before me was a fire engine mechanic, so he took very good care of it mechanically. Upholstery was very worn when I bought it, so I stuffed pillow fluff into the springs and made a custom seat cover.
wavewolf, I'm amazed by the amount of miles you got out of that Dart! Compared to vehicles nowadays, I think that's really impressive!
This particular engine was legendary for its longetivity--don't know of any other that would go that mileage! I changed my oil with a good quality oil very regularly, keeping parts lubricated. Ignition was simple in those cars, not the complex stuff that is on now that one cannot repair and it only goes for so long without a glitch. The upholstery and body did not keep up, but cars made in 1972 had real metal in them and you could braze in pieces and putty up to repair. The seats I just had to cover, after re-stuffing them with polyester fiberfill (used to stuff pillows).
wavewolf, I'm amazed by the amount of miles you got out of that Dart! Compared to vehicles nowadays, I think that's really impressive!
This particular engine was legendary for its longetivity--don't know of any other that would go that mileage! I changed my oil with a good quality oil very regularly, keeping parts lubricated. Ignition was simple in those cars, not the complex stuff that is on now that one cannot repair and it only goes for so long without a glitch. The upholstery and body did not keep up, but cars made in 1972 had real metal in them and you could braze in pieces and putty up to repair. The seats I just had to cover, after re-stuffing them with polyester fiberfill (used to stuff pillows).
Just looked up what it looks like and it is one nice car! Maybe I'll get one with low mileage and restore it in the future (I dream too much)!