When the new 2021 Toyota Sienna minivan debuted last year, it was a bit of a shock that the lineup was hybrid-only. But the move makes sense: In order to differentiate itself from the rest of the minivan pack, Toyota left the traditional powertrain behind while still offering a competitive price. The Sienna is also the only minivan to offer all-wheel drive with a hybrid setup. And although the nameplate has spent most of its life aligned closely with the Honda Odyssey and Chrysler’s vans (currently the Pacifica), the hybrid-only move and bold styling set this generation farther apart.
Meanwhile, the 2021 Honda Odyssey doesn’t feel as avant garde as the Sienna, but it continues to deliver on the basics that make a minivan great. The Odyssey is the most popular minivan nameplate sold in the U.S. market, and it received some minor upgrades for the 2021 model year. Updates include making the Honda Sensing safety technology bundle standard across the lineup, as well as other small changes like second-row seat backs that fold flat.
These minivans certainly look different on the outside, but each continues to foster followers among America’s families, thanks to thoughtful features for adults and children. So, which is better? We drove the 2021 Toyota Sienna and 2021 Honda Odyssey back to back and spent ample time aboard each one to find out.
Safety
Both Toyota and Honda prioritize safety across their lineups, which is why we see the Toyota Safety Sense and Honda Sensing bundles baked into most of their vehicles. Both the Sienna and Odyssey include their maker’s systems standard, boasting features like adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and automatic emergency braking, among others. This is another reason both minivans scored the Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, the highest possible.
In terms of the active systems we tested, the Sienna’s lane keeping setup was better at keeping the minivan centered in its lane while keeping a safe distance from the car in front. The Odyssey’s works well, too, but there was a portion of our drive where it had a difficult time reading lane lines the Toyota cruised with no issues.
Decision Time
We asked Honda and Toyota to send us their most fully equipped models, and despite both being outfitted similarly, their prices were quite different. The 2021 Toyota Sienna Platinum’s $54,138 price is higher than the 2021 Honda Odyssey Elite’s $49,390, but we’d chalk that up mostly to powertrain and all-wheel drive. The standard hybrid setup makes the Sienna a bit pricier than other minivans when comparing base stickers, but customers are likely to recoup some or all of the premium in fuel savings.
Both minivans are well equipped and tailored to satisfy families, but overall we preferred the 2021 Honda Odyssey’s spaciousness, fantastic packaging, and more confidence inspiring chassis and handling. We’re fans of the 2021 Sienna’s thoughtful center console and fuel efficiency, but its comparative lack of overall refinement puts it in second place in this showdown.
2nd Place: 2021 Toyota Sienna
Pros:
- Smart center-console design
- Sliding seats have lots of travel
- 35 mpg combined, even with AWD
Cons:
- Powertrain feels stressed
- Vague brake pedal
- No family-monitoring camera
Verdict: The Sienna has racy styling and a properly useful interior, but it lacks refinement on the road.
1st Place: 2021 Honda Odyssey
Pros:
- Spacious cabin
- Versatile interior
- Competitively priced
Cons:
- Its technology feels dated
- Mediocre fuel economy
- Short on USB ports
Verdict: The Odyssey doesn’t feel as modern as the Toyota, but it still does more things right.
| POWERTRAIN/CHASSIS | 2021 Honda Odyssey Elite | 2021 Toyota Sienna Platinum Hybrid AWD |
| DRIVETRAIN LAYOUT | Front-engine, FWD | Front-engine, AWD |
| ENGINE TYPE | 60-deg V-6, alum block/heads | I-4, alum block/head, plus rear permanent-magnet electric motor |
| VALVETRAIN | SOHC, 4 valves/cyl | DOHC, 4 valves/cyl |
| DISPLACEMENT | 211.8 cu in/3,471 cc | 151.8 cu in/2,478 cc |
| COMPRESSION RATIO | 11.5:1 | 14.0:1 |
| POWER (SAE NET) | 280 hp @ 6,000 rpm | 189 hp @ 6,000 rpm (gas), 180 hp (elec), 245 hp (comb) |
| TORQUE (SAE NET) | 262 lb-ft @ 4,700 rpm | 176 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm (gas), 199 lb-ft (elec) |
| REDLINE | 6,800 rpm | Not indicated |
| WEIGHT TO POWER | 16.2 lb/hp | 19.5 lb/hp |
| TRANSMISSION | 10-speed automatic | Cont variable auto |
| AXLE/FINAL-DRIVE RATIO | 3.61:1/1.87:1 | NA |
| SUSPENSION, FRONT; REAR | Struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar; multilink, coil springs, anti-roll bar | Struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar; multilink, coil springs, anti-roll bar |
| STEERING RATIO | 14.4:1 | 14.3:1 |
| TURNS LOCK-TO-LOCK | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| BRAKES, F; R | 12.6-in vented disc; 13.0-in disc, ABS | 12.9-in vented disc; 12.5-in vented disc, ABS |
| WHEELS | 7.5 x 19-in cast aluminum | 7.5 x 18-in cast aluminum |
| TIRES | 235/55R19 101H Bridgestone Turanza EL440 (M+S) | 235/60R18 102V Bridgestone Turanza LS100 (M+S) |
| DIMENSIONS | ||
| WHEELBASE | 118.1 in | 120.5 in |
| TRACK, F/R | 67.3/67.2 in | 67.7/68.5 in |
| LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT | 205.2 x 78.5 x 69.6 in | 203.7 x 78.5 x 68.5 in |
| TURNING CIRCLE | 39.6 ft | 38.3 ft |
| CURB WEIGHT | 4,541 lb | 4,781 lb |
| WEIGHT DIST, F/R | 55/45% | 53/47% |
| TOWING CAPACITY | 3,500 lb | 3,500 lb |
| SEATING CAPACITY | 8 | 7 |
| HEADROOM, F/M/R | 38.7/39.2/38.3 in | 40.1/39.3/37.4 in |
| LEGROOM, F/M/R | 40.9/40.9/38.1 in | 40.3/39.9/38.7 in |
| SHOULDER ROOM, F/M/R | 63.1/61.6/60.0 in | 62.4/62.7/58.5 in |
| CARGO VOLUME, BEH F/M/R | 140.7/91.0/38.6 cu ft | 101.0/75.2/33.5 cu ft |
| TEST DATA | ||
| ACCELERATION TO MPH | ||
| 0-30 | 2.6 sec | 2.4 sec |
| 0-40 | 3.7 | 3.8 |
| 0-50 | 5.2 | 5.5 |
| 0-60 | 6.7 | 7.6 |
| 0-70 | 8.7 | 10.1 |
| 0-80 | 11.1 | 13.0 |
| 0-90 | 13.8 | 16.6 |
| PASSING, 45-65 MPH | 3.3 | 4.1 |
| QUARTER MILE | 15.2 sec @ 94.5 mph | 15.8 sec @ 87.8 mph |
| BRAKING, 60-0 MPH | 123 ft | 125 ft |
| LATERAL ACCELERATION | 0.75 g (avg) | 0.82 g (avg) |
| MT FIGURE EIGHT | 29.1 sec @ 0.56 g (avg) | 28.2 sec @ 0.59 g (avg) |
| TOP-GEAR REVS @ 60 MPH | 1,500 rpm | NA rpm |
| CONSUMER INFO | ||
| BASE PRICE | $48,995 | $51,635 |
| PRICE AS TESTED | $49,390 | $54,138 |
| AIRBAGS | 8: Dual front, front side, f/m/r curtain, front knee | 10: Dual front, front side, middle side, f/m/r curtain, driver knee, passenger thigh |
| BASIC WARRANTY | 3 yrs/36,000 miles | 3 yrs/36,000 miles |
| POWERTRAIN WARRANTY | 5 yrs/60,000 miles | 5 yrs/60,000 miles* |
| ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE | 3 yrs/36,000 miles | 2 yrs/unlimited miles |
| FUEL CAPACITY | 19.5 gal | 18.0 gal + 1.9 kWh Ni-MH battery |
| EPA CITY/HWY/COMB ECON | 19/28/22 mpg | 35/36/35 mpg |
| ENERGY CONS, CITY/HWY | 177/120 kWh/100 miles | 96/94 kWh/100 miles |
| CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB | 0.87 lb/mile | 0.55 lb/mile |
| RECOMMENDED FUEL | Unleaded regular | Unleaded regular |
| *Hybrid system coverage extends to 8 yrs/100,000 miles, hybrid battery coverage to 10 yrs/150,000 miles |
By: rono
Title: 2021 Honda Odyssey vs. 2021 Toyota Sienna: Familiar Foes, Clear Winner
Sourced From: www.motortrend.com/cars/toyota/sienna/2021/2021-honda-odyssey-vs-2021-toyota-sienna-minivan-comparison-test-drive-review/
Published Date: Thu, 27 May 2021 22:30:15 +0000
