Honda Odyssey vs Toyota Sienna - 8 Passenger Minivan Comparison

The Odyssey and the Sienna are currently the only available 8 passenger minivans and both offer confident handling, roomy interiors, and high safety ratings. The Odyssey's second-row seat is uniquely versatile, and its V6 engine is unusually fuel efficient. The Sienna offers all-wheel drive and a choice of seven- or eight-passenger seating, and the engine feels powerful and smooth. MSRP starts at $28,225 for the Odyssey and $25,060 for the Sienna.

The Odyssey is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 248 horsepower. Only front-wheel drive is available. Fuel economy is 18 mpg city/27 mpg highway.

The Sienna's standard 187-horsepower 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine can be upgraded to a 266-horsepower 3.5-liter V6. Buyers can also choose between front- and all-wheel drive. Fuel economy is 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway for the smaller engine, 18/25 for the front-wheel drive V6, and 17/23 for the AWD V6.

Winner: Toyota Sienna
The available four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive provide buyers with more choices.

The Odyssey boasts automatic on/off Xenon high intensity discharge headlamps, heat-rejecting glass, acoustic windshield, parking sensors, and heated memory side mirrors with integrated turn indicators and reverse gear tilt-down.

The Sienna features automatic on/off projector-beam halogen headlamps, remote windshield wiper de-icer, trunk release, Smart Key System, rear bumper protector, and bodyside/cab steps or running boards.

Winner: Tie
The winner for you depends on which features are more important to you.

Honda's minivan offers a satellite-linked navigation system with hard drive navigation, an 8-inch screen, voice activation, and real-time traffic. Voice recognition also provides control over the audio system and Bluetooth-enabled devices. The Odyssey also offers power-adjustable front seats with driver's seat memory, fold-down second-row center armrest with storage, adjustable wide-mode second-row seats with walk-in feature, and multi-function center seat in the second row.

Toyota's vehicle uses a DVD navigation system with real-time traffic, touch screen, integrated backup camera display with regular and wide-angle views, and voice activation. Bluetooth-connected devices can also be controlled through voice recognition. Other features on the Sienna include power-adjustable front seats, second-row stowable center seat, removable second-row seats that also tip-up and slide, and a compass.

Winner: Honda Odyssey
Honda's voice activation system is more expansive than Toyota's, and the second-row seating is more versatile. Toyota offers an elaborate backup camera system, but this is less crucial than Honda's advantages.

The Odyssey integrates a premium audio system paired with 12 speakers, 5.1 Surround Sound Theater Mode, 15 GB hard drive memory, speed-sensitive volume, and rear sound controls. The rear DVD entertainment system features one screen and HDMI technology.

The Sienna's system uses ten speakers, surround-sound, auto sound leveling, and music streaming via Bluetooth. The rear dual-view DVD entertainment center uses a 16.4-inch display.

Winner: Honda Odyssey
The Odyssey's sound system is more advanced.

Both vehicles offer a full complement of safety devices.

The Odyssey earned five stars on the NHTSA side pole crash test and offers a multi-angle front and rear Electronic Parking Aid with ultrasonic sensors and camera.

The Sienna earned four stars on the above test; the Electronic Parking Aid only assists in the rear and just has a camera.

Winner: Honda Odyssey, by a hair
It's almost too close to call.

Highlights on the Odyssey include brisk acceleration, smooth shifts, and a quiet and comfortable ride.

The Sienna features lively acceleration, plush ride quality, competent handling, and precise steering.

Winner: Tie

After adding up the wins for each minivan, it appears the Honda Odyssey comes out ahead mainly due to more advanced technology and more versatile second-row seating. However, these advantages come with a price; the Odyssey usually costs more than competing minivans with comparable features. If price is a factor for you, then based on this analysis you still can't go wrong with a Toyota Sienna.

Both minivans are solid contenders; choosing a winner may come down to which feels better to you on the test drive.