Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2014 Honda Odyssey VS 2014 Toyota Sienna Near Scottsdale, AZ

The Odyssey EX-L/Touring/Touring Elite has a standard collision warning system, which detects an impending crash through forward mounted sensors and flashes a bright light and sounds a loud, distinctive tone to warn the driver to brake or maneuver immediately to avoid a collision. The Sienna doesn't offer a collision warning system.

The Odyssey EX-L/Touring/Touring Elite’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. The Sienna doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

Both the Odyssey and the Sienna have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact 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.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Honda Odyssey is safer than the Toyota Sienna:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Honda Odyssey is safer than the Toyota Sienna:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Odyssey is 1.2% less likely to roll over than the Sienna.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact, roof-crush tests, and its optional crash warning, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Odyssey its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2014, a rating only granted to 32 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Sienna has not been fully tested, yet.

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Odyssey second among minivans in their 2013 Initial Quality Study. The Sienna isn’t in the top three.

The Odyssey’s 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 5 lbs.-ft. more torque (250 vs. 245) than the Sienna’s 3.5 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Honda Odyssey is faster than the Toyota Sienna:

On the EPA test cycle the Odyssey gets better fuel mileage than the Sienna FWD (19 city/28 hwy vs. 18 city/25 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.

The Odyssey stops shorter than the Sienna:

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.

For better maneuverability, the Odyssey’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the Sienna AWD’s (36.7 feet vs. 37.4 feet). The Odyssey’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the Sienna’s (36.7 feet vs. 37.5 feet).

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Odyssey has an electronically controlled liquid-filled engine mounts. A computer controlled electric current in the liquid changes its viscosity, allowing the mount to dampen the engine completely at all RPMs. The Sienna uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

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.

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.

The front step up height for the Odyssey is 1.7 inches lower than the Sienna (15” vs. 16.7”). The Odyssey’s rear step up height is 2 inches lower than the Sienna’s (17” vs. 19”).

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 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/Touring Elite 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.

Bluetooth wireless connectivity is standard on the Odyssey, connecting the driver and passenger’s cell phones to the vehicle systems. This allows them to use the vehicle’s stereo and hand controls to place calls safely and easily. Toyota doesn’t offer wireless connectivity on the Sienna L.

Insurance will cost less for the Odyssey owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Odyssey will cost $375 less than the Sienna over a five-year period.

The Odyssey will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. Kiplinger’s estimates that the Odyssey will retain a greater percentage of its original price after three and five years than the Sienna.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Odyssey is less expensive to operate than the Sienna because it costs $140 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Odyssey than the Sienna, including $686 less for a water pump, $45 less for a starter, $175 less for fuel injection, $585 less for a fuel pump, $48 less for front struts, $1192 less for a timing belt/chain and $350 less for a power steering pump.

The Honda Odyssey has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its May 2011 issue and they ranked the Honda Odyssey Touring Elite first. They ranked the Toyota Sienna Limited fourth.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Odyssey first among minivans in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Sienna was rated second.

 The Odyssey received the 2012 “Total Quality Award.”

The Odyssey was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” in 2011. The Sienna has never been an “All Star.”

The Honda Odyssey outsold the Toyota Sienna by 4798 units during the 2013 model year.