Also the Sienta will have more space with the 3rd row folded away.

Not everyone always travels with 7 people and luggage (and if you do, the Avanza is still a bit small for that). It's mostly a 5 seater that can also act as 7 seater if necessary. Won't suit every need, but some needs it will suit better than the Avanza.

Also the Sienta is much better than the Avanza if you have elderly passengers. Putting a wheel chair inside is easier, cause the boot lip is lower. Sliding doors mean a wide opening for the 2nd row, and you can stand there to assist the elderly person. With a regular door, there is no space for someone to stand there in order to assist. Entrance is also possible in a tighter spot, where you can't fully open the door. The lower floor means the elderly person doesn't have to climb into the car. Just let him sit on the seat, then the assisting person can lift his legs and rotate the person. Inside he is.

To me it is the better car. Plus it drives more like a car.



There is some space for luggage. The Avanza looks a bit bigger, but the difference isn't big. And once you travel with 6 passengers, you have a lot more boot space in the Sienta. You can completely fold away the Sienta seat, while the Avanza still has a huge seat taking away lots of space in the cabin.

Once you need to bring along bigger items, the Avanza has completely lost, and sedans can't compete either.

We have a Kangoo, and were able to transport 5 adults and a big massage chair (plus a bit of luggage) with it. But we had to remove the 3rd row seats for that. In the Sienta when folded away the 3rd row seats don't take up any space. It's brilliant.

Great! Got a bro with same situation as me.. my car will turn 10 years by this year end.. also not rushing to change but just feel car is for convenient and lately just change the alternator(think cause by little flood) with toyota and repaint the whole car few years back also.. initially not thinking of changing but few months back air cond not cold being fool by stupid toyota technician saying this and that spoiled but at the end just a little plastic cap which they didn't install it back since my Feb car service with them.. so this make me feel like changing the car but now the car still rock as usual.. so thinking whether or not to hold on to take the new car until end of this year as I had booked it since end last month.

maybe because its design for asia n also the rear wheel drive is better at hauling people. because its push not pull like front wheel drive..

I test drive alrady. I would said not bad at all.
Pros
-Comfort level is good n quiet if normal slow pedal drive...
-Power 1.5L is acceptable easily reach up 80-100kmh (SA, me, wife n 2 kids)
-Quite impress the 3row seat leg room. 
-Optiron lcd meter quite nice..
-sliding doors
-Not bumpy like Avanza
-rear blower
-3 airbag acceptable for the price range. (Serena only get 2 airbag)

yes, i knew. then whats the extra point you want to hint me ? please share ... thank you.

My new car has it, and I can let the display show me the oil temperature too (which is different from the other meter, and quite valuable to know).

Not having a proper meter is irresponsible, and they do it just to save a few cent. Bad for reliability if you don't know when the engine is not yet warm, and leaving it on in idle barely helps warming up the engine... you need to drive to warm it up, but you need to drive a certain way to do it without damaging it.