When you’re looking to buy a new road companion, it can get overwhelming quickly because there are just so many options out there in today’s market. However, if you’re looking for a minivan, you should narrow down your search. When you do, the battle will most likely be between Honda Odyssey vs. Toyota Sienna. So, here’s everything you need to know in order to make a good decision between these two.
While both vehicles are great options when it comes to the minivan category, the Honda Odyssey has a few advantages when it comes to space capacity and performance. While it’s the better option when you take everything into consideration, there are reasons why the Toyota Sienna might be the choice that perfectly fits your specific needs – namely, if you’re looking for a hybrid vehicle.
The Two Are Some of the Most Popular Minivans on the Market at the Moment
When you’re a part of a larger family, transportation methods get much more complicated. Because of their roomy cabins and convenient features, as well as enough room for seven or eight people, minivans are the top choice for a family vehicle. With this kind of four-wheeler, struggling to find enough space for your kids or shopping bags is a thing of the past.
Some of the most popular choices in the minivan category are the Honda Odyssey and the Toyota Sienna. So, before we start comparing the main features of these models, let’s see which exact trim levels are available for each one.
The Honda Odyssey Comes With Six Trim Level Options
While the brand-new 2023 Honda Odyssey has discontinued the LX trim, opting for a used vehicle of this model will get you six different options to choose from. There’s the now-discontinued LX, then there’s the EX and EX-L, the latter of which comes with an additional trim level that offers a rear entertainment system and navigation. There are also the two most generously supplied trim levels – the Touring and Elite.
Of course, the Honda Odyssey LX is the base model and because of that, it comes with only a few necessities and specific features. Also, this trim level has room for seven passengers, and while that’s still good enough for most, all of the upper trim levels offer space for eight people, as well as more premium features you can enjoy.
The Toyota Sienna Also Has Something New in the 2023 Model Year
Both the Honda Odyssey and the Toyota Sienna have a lot in mind when it comes to the 2023 model year. But, if you find yourself looking through these options and wondering why are car prices so high, then it’s a good idea to consider getting an older model. Be it used or even with a salvage title, it will do its job on the road just fine.
The Sienna offers five trim levels – L, LE, SE, XLE, and Limited. Seating for seven passengers is generally more available in the Sienna, but the SE trim level comes with room for eight people as standard. Each of these trim levels comes with its own features, with the XLE and Limited being the most prestigious ones, with upgraded infotainment and interior materials.
Honda Odyssey vs. Toyota Sienna – A Brief Look at the Main Specifications
Before I start comparing all of the most important aspects of these vehicles, here’s a brief overview of their specifications when we compare the base trims of the model year 2020:
| Specification | Honda Odyssey | Toyota Sienna |
| Engine | 3.5L Regular Unleaded V-6 | 3.5L Regular Unleaded V-6 |
| Horsepower | 280hp | 296hp |
| Torque | 262 at 4700 rpm | 263 at 4700 rpm |
| Miles Per Gallon | 19 mpg city, 28 mpg highway | 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
| Number of Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Length | 203.2 in | 200.6 in |
| Width | 78.5 in | 78.1 in |
| Height | 68.3 in | 68.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 118.1 in | 119.3 in |
Both Minivans Are Very Spacious and Comfortable
Both the Honda Odyssey and the Toyota Sienna are top picks in the minivan category because they’re very spacious and that can be of great use, no matter if you’re transporting gear or going on a family trip on the most famous roads in the US. Just stay on the road while you’re at it because these vehicles are definitely not meant for off-road driving.
Because the car’s capacity is very important when you’re looking for a family vehicle, I’ll go over this aspect in greater detail so you know what you’re dealing with exactly:
The Honda Odyssey Offers Great Use of Inside Space
When it comes to the design of the front compartment, the Odyssey might have taken a more traditional route, but it does the job just fine. There’s a wide space you can use to place big items such as a purse or a grocery bag, and a center console for hiding valuables, which is more spacious than the one in the Toyota Sienna.
Odyssey’s MagicSlide seats are a game changer – the seats can move fore, aft, or sideways. This provides a versatile use of the space inside, as well as more room for people to enter the third row, especially if they’re elderly and have difficulty getting into vehicles.
The Toyota Sienna Has a Carefully Thought-Out Cabin Interior
The Sienna offers a wide tray running along the dashboard that is deep enough to put your essentials in, such as your wallet and keys. There’s also the center console, which might not be as spacious as the one in the Odyssey, but it is still big enough to accommodate larger items in the bottom, while also providing easy access to cupholders.
The armrests of a Toyota Sienna are not adjustable, but the seating position is still comfortable. The second-row seats can slide back as much as 20 inches, so there’s plenty of legroom if needed. You also have the option to add built-in footrests, but it’s not available in the all-wheel-drive lines of the vehicle.
Both Cars Have the Optional Third Row Seats for Larger Families
You’ve probably realized by now that both of these vehicles are masters of space and utility. Not only will they provide seats for seven passengers, or even eight if you get certain trim levels, but they will also provide enough space for everyone in the car. When it comes to the already mentioned third row, it feels a bit more spacious in the Honda Odyssey thanks to the larger windows.
The Honda Odyssey Offers More Cargo Space
The Odyssey offers more cargo space – there are 38.6 cubic feet behind the third row, while the Sienna has 33.5. In both minivans, you also have the option to remove the second row and fold down the third row, and in that case, you get an astonishing 158 cubic feet of capacity in the Odyssey. Just keep in mind that although the Toyota has a smaller capacity, there’s still plenty of space, and the second-row seats come out more easily.
So, while the Odyssey is the winner in this category because of its bigger capacity and versatile use of the space, the decision might come down to how you plan to use this space. Odyssey is better for passengers because of the easier access to the third row, while the Sienna might be a better fit if you’re transporting gear or construction equipment because the second-row seats are easier to remove.
These Minivan Manufacturers Have Safety as One of Their Priorities
When it comes to a family car, besides the capacity, the safety features are one of the most important aspects to consider. Every driver’s main responsibility is to keep everyone on the road safe, no matter if it’s in the busy streets of New York or while driving at night.
But here’s the good news – both the Honda Odyssey and the Toyota Sienna come with great safety features and perform really well on safety tests. The Honda Sending and the Toyota Safety Sense include a wide range of features like lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and many more, especially if you opt for updated newer model years.
The New Model Offers Great Infotainment Options
When it comes to the infotainment technology of these minivans, you should consider narrowing your options to the newer models because they are full of great features. Of course, the complete package depends on the trim level you go for, but anything manufactured in 2017 or later is generally full of helpful features that will make the time spent on the road that much easier.
For example, here’s what you can expect from a 2022 Honda Odyssey:
- A 5-inch LCD audio screen for the LX version,
- An 8-inch touchscreen display for all other trim levels,
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration,
- 1 to 6 USB ports.
And here’s what the 2022 Toyota Sienna can get you:
- A 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display,
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration,
- 7 USB ports.
The Honda Odyssey Has Better Overall Performance
While both models come with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine when the overall performance is compared, the Honda Odyssey definitely comes on top. It might be a front-wheel-drive, but with the options of a 9-speed or a 10-speed automatic transmission and a standard of 280 horsepower, the Odyssey has a lot to offer in terms of acceleration and handling, even when it’s fully loaded with cargo or passengers.
There might be a lot of reasons why one would prefer the Odyssey over the Toyota Sienna because it has its downsides when it comes to handling and braking. However, there are a lot of things this 8-speed automatic vehicle can offer, for example, there is an all-wheel-drive option available. But, the biggest advantage of the Toyota Sienna is definitely the fact that there are hybrid versions of this vehicle.
The Toyota Sienna Offers Hybrid Vehicles Since 2021
When the new Toyota Sienna debuted in 2021, the lineup was hybrid-only. While it was a bit of a shock at first, this move makes sense because it differentiates the Sienna from the rest of the minivans, while a competitive price is still offered. It has a hybrid powertrain that combines a four-cylinder fuel engine with two electric motors, and the best part of this vehicle is the unrivaled fuel economy among the minivans – you get 36 mpg in the city as well as on the highways.
So, if one of your main priorities is cutting the costs of owning a car, the Toyota Sienna Hybrid is definitely the choice for you. But, if you can afford to wait a bit longer to buy your new vehicle, keep in mind that the 2023 Honda Odyssey Hybrid is just around the corner, with a new sport trim and a very smooth powertrain.
The Models Are Comparable When It Comes to Pricing
While the Honda Odyssey has the least expensive starting price at $32,090 for the base trim level, it’s worth noting that the base model of the Sienna has many features which Honda doesn’t offer in this trim level. To get all that extra equipment, you would have to upgrade to the EX trim, and with a starting price of $35,490, it is more expensive than the Sienna LE which starts at $34,460.
So, it all comes down to what trim level you opt for, and at what price you’re able to have all of the features you want. When it comes to insurance, both models are covered by a three-year 36,000 miles basic warranty option and a five-year 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. The Sienna Hybrid also carries a ten-year 150,000 miles warranty for its battery.
It All Comes Down to You and Your Family’s Specific Needs
While the Honda Odyssey is definitely the better choice of the two when you take the performance and space capacity into consideration, there are aspects in which the Honda Odyssey has the upper hand. And if those aspects are important to you specifically, the decision is easy. After all, a minivan should serve your specific needs the most out of other vehicles. So, consider your requirements first and you will be happy with whatever choice you make.
