Honda Odyssey
What’s for sale near me?
Above Average: Resale, reliability, interior room, features, fuel economy, safety
Below Average: Expensive, no all-wheel drive option
Consensus: One of the most reliable, most practical and most enjoyable minivans you can buy.
Toyota Sienna
What’s for sale near me?
Above Average: Optional all-wheel drive, resale, reliability, horsepower
Below Average: boring styling on early models, some low IIHS crash test scores
Consensus: Every bit the equal of the Honda Odyssey but with the option of all-wheel drive and, on later models, advanced driver assists.
Comparing a used Honda Odyssey to a used Toyota Sienna is one of the more difficult tasks because both vans excel in the areas that matter most to used minivan buyers, and neither has any real drawback. Going back to the 2010-2013 models, you’ll find the Sienna is a bit smaller inside, and the 4-cylinder engine option was grossly underpowered. Differences between the Odyssey and Sienna boil down to styling, features and powertrains. The Sienna is the only modern minivan that still offers the option of all-wheel drive. The Odyssey never offered it, and the Dodge Grand Caravan discontinued the feature after 2005. The Odyssey does offer some cool features, however, such as LaneWatch side view monitor and the HondaVac built-in vacuum cleaner. The Sienna counters with lounge chair second-row captain’s chair seating complete with footrests. In crash testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the Odyssey excellent scores going back a number of years, but some late model Sienna vans (2014 and later) earn only average marks in the small overlap front crash test. Factory and CPO warranty coverage is the same for both vans.
Honda Odyssey Advantages
Roomy passenger space, built in vacuum on some models, good fuel economy, excellent IIHS crash test scores, Magic Slide 2nd-row seats
Toyota Sienna Advantages
Optional all-wheel drive, powerful V6, big cargo area, 2nd-row lounge chair seating
Similarities
8-passenger seating, powerful V6 engine, good fuel economy, excellent resale and reliability, huge interiors, clever 2nd-row seating options
Final Recommendation
You can’t go wrong with either pick, but if we had to pick one, we’d probably go with the Honda Odyssey simply for the better crash tests scores and built-in vacuum. However, if you live someplace where deep snow is a regular occurrence, the all-wheel drive option on the Sienna trumps a vacuum cleaner every time. The Sienna also holds slightly higher resale values, and has been a consistent winner of the KBB Best Resale Value award year after year.
OK, so what’s next?
I’m ready for one of these cars, and I’d like to trade in my current car while I’m at it.
