Schomp Honda

Safety

The Odyssey Touring Elite's blind spot warning system uses digital cameras monitored by computer to alert the driver to moving objects in the vehicle's blind spots where the side view mirrors don't reveal them. The Sienna doesn't offer a system to reveal objects in the driver's blind spots.

 

Both the Odyssey and the Sienna have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front-wheel drive, height-adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

 

Reliability

 

The engine in the Odyssey has a single overhead cam for simplicity. The engines in the Sienna have dual overhead cams, which add to the number of moving parts and the complexity of the cylinder heads.

 

J.D. Power and Associates' 2010 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Honda vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda 6th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 21st, below the industry average.

 

Engine

 

The Odyssey's 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 61 more horsepower (248 vs. 187) and 64 lbs.-ft. more torque (250 vs. 186) than the Sienna's standard 2.7 DOHC 4 cyl. The Odyssey's 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 5 lbs.-ft. more torque (250 vs. 245) than the Sienna's optional 3.5 DOHC V6.

 

Fuel Economy and Range

 

On the EPA test cycle the Odyssey Touring six-speed Auto gets better fuel mileage than the Sienna FWD V6 (19 city/28 hwy vs. 18 city/24 hwy).

 

An engine control system that can shut down half of the engine's cylinders helps improve the Odyssey's fuel efficiency. The Sienna doesn't offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

 

The Odyssey has a gallon more fuel capacity than the Sienna (21 vs. 20 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

 

Environmental Friendliness

 

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Honda Odyssey higher (6 to 7 out of 10) than the Toyota Sienna (5 to 6). This means the Odyssey produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Sienna every 15,000 miles.

 

Suspension and Handling

 

For superior ride and handling, the Honda Odyssey has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Toyota Sienna has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

 

The Odyssey has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Sienna doesn't offer variable-assist power steering.

 

Chassis

 

The Odyssey uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Sienna doesn't offer active noise cancellation.

 

Passenger Space

 

The Odyssey has 8.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Sienna (172.6 vs. 164.4).

 

The Odyssey has .4 inches more front legroom, 3.3 inches more rear legroom and 6.1 inches more third row legroom than the Sienna.

 

Towing

 

The Odyssey's standard towing capacity is much higher than the Sienna's (3500 vs. 0 pounds).

 

Servicing Ease

 

A Maintenance Minder is standard on the Odyssey to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes, spark plug replacement, air filter replacement, tire rotation, radiator flush and transmission fluid replacement based on actual driving conditions. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Toyota doesn't offer a maintenance reminder on the Sienna.

 

Ergonomics

 

If the windows are left down on the Odyssey the driver can raise them all using the key in the outside lock cylinder. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from outside the vehicle using the key in the outside lock cylinder or the keyless remote. The driver of the Sienna can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

 

The Odyssey's standard power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Sienna's power mirror controls are on the dash, hidden behind the steering wheel, where they are awkward to manipulate.

 

The Odyssey Touring has a standard center folding armrest for the third row rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable. The Sienna doesn't offer a third row rear seat center armrest.

 

The Odyssey's available GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that offers alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service available in a limited number of metro areas.) The Sienna's available navigation system doesn't offer real-time traffic updates.

 

The Odyssey (except LX) offers an optional 115 volt a/c outlet, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters which can break or get misplaced. The Sienna doesn't offer a house-current electrical outlet.

 

Recommendations

 

The Honda Odyssey outsold the Toyota Sienna by 5% during the 2010 model year.

* [1]  Based on 2011 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.