Honda Odyssey vs. Toyota Sienna: How Do They Measure Up
Photo by emrecan arık on Unsplash
With the rise in popularity of crossover SUVs, many people thought that minivans were bound to fall out of style. But here we are! Over the years, the minivan competition usually boils down to two of the most popular models out there, the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna.
Honda Odyssey vs. Toyota Sienna: Which is the better minivan?
Toyota caught everyone off-guard when last year, the Japanese automaker announced that its prominent Sienna lineup would be exclusively hybrid. For 2021 and onwards, the choice between Odyssey or Sienna may boil down to whether you prefer a hybrid minivan or not.
However, the 2021 Odyssey and 2021 Sienna are still worthy competitors, each with its strengths and weaknesses. Today, we have the Honda Odyssey vs. Toyota Sienna head-to-head comparison and see which minivan comes out on top.
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Exterior Features
Minivans are thought to prioritize function over form, but that’s not the case with the 2021 Odyssey. The exterior look of the newer Odyssey should remind you of the Pilot or Ridgeline since they share the same mechanical foundation.
The 2021 version, particularly, has received a sharper front end which gives the Odyssey a sportier look. The Odyssey is also outfitted with new headlamps with an updated front grille. Also, the Odyssey offers versatility with eight color options - something we always appreciate.
On the other hand, the fundamental exterior of the Sienna hasn’t changed much. At first glance, you’ll notice the ever-familiar “two box” look of the Sienna with a body designed for maximum space. Steeper windshields and a sporty hoodline are familiar design elements that you can find in most crossover utility vehicles.
What makes the Sienna’s exterior design stand out is its sculpting. The aggressive creases reflect light in a way that makes the Sienna look two-toned. For the LE, XLE, and XSE trims, you get a sportier blacked-out look, while the Limited and Platinum trims feature chrome badging.
Performance and Fuel Economy
Interestingly, the 2021 Sienna has abandoned the V-6 engine that comes with it since the 1998 model year. The Sienna is powered by a 2.5-liter l-4 powertrain that connects to two electric motors, delivering a combined output of 245 hp. Since this is a hybrid model, the Sienna allows the gas engine to shut off during low-speed driving and recapture energy while braking or decelerating to recharge the 1.9-kwh battery pack.
Unfortunately, the Sienna’s powertrain feels stressed even when you’re driving within city speeds. Acceleration is nothing to write home about, but it does offer a quiet ride and good coordination while driving on freeways and twisty backroads. Overall, the Sienna’s ride quality feels controlled and well-balanced.
On the flip side, the Odyssey doesn’t have any powertrain changes, and that’s fine. The 3.5-liter V-6 engine hooked to a 10-speed automatic transmission cranks out a respectable 280 hp, easily eclipsing the Sienna. The Odyssey’s engine is simply more dynamic and punchier with a smooth and quick transmission.
If you’ve driven a Honda before, the 2021 Odyssey should feel familiar, thanks to its notable driving characteristics such as weighted steering and fantastic brake feel.
In terms of fuel economy, it’s a no-brainer that the Sienna comes out on top as a hybrid model. With its EPA-estimated 36/city and 36/hwy mpg, the Sienna offers excellent fuel economy. In comparison, the Odyssey is rated EPA-estimated 22 mpg (19 city/28 hwy), which is par for the course in this segment.
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Interior Features and Space
The Honda Odyssey has always been big in space and comfort, and the 2021 version is no different. With enough room for seven to eight people, the 2021 Odyssey remains a top-notch family-hauling machine. It comes with power front seats for all trim options, and they’re padded and soft to the touch.
One of the most innovative features of the Odyssey is the MagicSlide seats. Basically, the seats can be adjusted laterally, which not only gives more interior versatility but makes it easy for passengers to access the third row. With all three rows present, the Odyssey has 33 cu-ft of cargo space. All the rear seats can be stowed on the floor, which expands the cargo volume to 33 cu-ft.
Conversely, the Sienna boasts a thoughtful cabin layout - it’s modern, fresh, and logical. The cleverly designed center console lets you stow large items below while providing easy access to the cupholders. We also appreciate the fact that all of the Sienna’s seats are adult-sized. However, due to the placement of the airbags, there’s no option to remove the second-row seats - at least, not without using tools.
On the third row, the smaller windows of the Sienna may feel claustrophobic to some people. However, both third-row comfort and seating positions are excellent. There are two USB ports on the right side which tremendously helps its connectivity. There’s an available rear-seat entertainment package that will install headphone jacks on both sides of the vehicle.
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Infotainment and Safety Features
Standard to all 2021 Sienna trims is the massive 9.0-inch touchscreen complete with physical buttons and knobs. Smartphone integration and connectivity are also on-point with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa support. However, the decision to include wireless charging on all trims but no wireless CarPlay is baffling.
Meanwhile, all Odyssey gets an 8.0-inch touchscreen system except for the LX trim. The 8-inch unit also supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Unique to the Odyssey is the in-cabin camera that shows a view of the rear passengers via the center display. Although the Odyssey’s infotainment system is fine on its own (albeit a little bit outdated), it pales in comparison to what the Sienna has to offer.
Honda and Toyota are quite serious when it comes to safety which is why the Honda Sensing Suite and Toyota Safety Sense are frequently integrated into their vehicles. Thus, it’s not surprising that both vehicles have received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating.
The Odyssey includes a whole host of safety features such as adaptive cruise control, auto emergency braking, and lane keep assist. Meanwhile, the Sienna offers a very similar collection of safety techs, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, and more.
Honda Odyssey vs. Toyota Sienna: The Verdict
The base LX Odyssey starts at $31,790, and the fully equipped Elite is available for about $49,390. On the other hand, the Sienna starts at $34,460 for the front-drive LE trim and the top Platinum trim for $54,138.
Between the Honda Odyssey vs. Toyota Sienna, we have to say that both minivans are fully equipped to accommodate and satisfy families. If we’re going to pick one, we have to go with the Odyssey for its spacious and versatile interior and confident performance.
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