I'm planning to upgrade my car to something larger to accommodate our two kids and all the gear we need to bring with us (like our double stroller). We also want a third baby someday, so I think a minivan is the best car for us. I'm trying to decide between a 2016 Honda Odyssey or a 2016 Toyota Sienna. They both seem like great vehicles, so it's making my decision hard! Any recommendations on one versus the other?
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My in-law's have a Toyota Sienna that we borrow for long trips. It's a great van and about 12 years old. I voted for the Honda Odyssey because I love Honda. Reliable and easy to maintain.
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We've test driven both, as we are about to buy one too, and decided on the Honda. You can put 3 car seats in the second row of the Honda, but only 2 in the second row of the Toyota. We currently have 2 kids, but would like more.
We did like that the Toyota has AWD however (which the Honda does not).
I don't think you can go wrong with either though!
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@ValentineMommy: I read somewhere that Honda is considering putting awd on 2017 or 2018 model odyssey.
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We did not need AWD and we liked that the Honda had the flexible middle row (can be captains chairs or a 3 across bench, or a 2 seat short bench with easy access to the back row). Since the middle row can seat 3 across it seats up to 8.
We got the EXL model. Didn't feel like we needed the entertainment or Nav features. I love the lane assist camera for showing you your blind spot (honda special feature).
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Well, I have a 2012 Toyota Sienna XLE that we bought certified used last fall and we love it. The middle row can be captains chairs or become a bench seat, but you can't put a 3rd carseat in the bench configuration (not that I would want to honestly). Compared to what the 2016s were going for, we saved $20K to get the used one with 38,000 miles on it.
I would say in terms of features, definitely get the power doors and liftgate - lifechanging. Ours comes with a backup camera, leather, and separate rear zone heating/cooling, which are also definite bonuses. We didn't feel the need for navigation (we use Waze on our phones) or DVD players. It comes with a V6 engine and it has a lot of pep in the drive, but with decent mileage.
I think the big difference between Toyotas and Hondas is really the feeling of the drive. I've owned both and Hondas have lighter handling and sportier drive and Toyotas tend to feel a little more solid and powerful. We just prefer the way the Toyotas feel - all my friends with Odysseys love them too.
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We have a 2015 Sienna and my husband loves it! He was the one that was opposed to getting a van at first but now he prefers it for road trips. We drive 8 hours to visit family very often so our SUV was getting tight with 2 kids and all the baby gears. I really wanted an Odyssey but some people we had asked that have an Odyssey said the breaks get worn out much faster. I think either one will be a great choice! So spacious!
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We have a 2014 sienna. I really like it, but if we could have found a used Honda I probably would have gone with that ( mostly for features wise - the blind spot camera.) I don't like that the rear view camera on our sienna is soooo small. When you hook up the blue tooth, or you're switching between bluetooths, it makes this god awful beep every time you push the confirm button.
Aside from that, I love the stow seats, it's comfortable and spacious. -
I'm going to be shopping the Chrysler Pacifica when I explore minivans next year!
Its new and is replacing the T&C...I have heard amazing things about it...
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We have a Sienna. We went Toyota over Honda because of AWD and it was a few thousand more to get the features I wanted with Honda.
They're really great vans and you pretty much can't go wrong. -
We went with the Odyssey and love it. Honestly, we didn't even look at the Sienna just because I preferred the look of the Odyssey and if I was going to be driving a minivan, I wanted to at least feel like it looked nice.
(I know that sounds silly, but that's the main reason we went Honda when we decided minivan.)
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We just rented a Nissan Quest and it was great! We will be purchasing a van in the next few months and I thought I wanted the Honda but now I am not sure! The Quest was really nice, great cargo space, great space in the front seat.
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I haven't tested either one but the biggest difference that I could tell from research is that the Odyssey is better for car seats - more LATCH positions and tether anchors. Sienna has the AWD option. I'd just choose which of those two is more important for you and go with that one!
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@Mrs D: My SIL went from a T&C to a Pacifica (granted with 3 school age kids) and she hated it. Totally not the same thing as a minivan (couldn't get to third row) and she ended up back in a dodge or something (she was desperate and just wanted a van again) .
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@T.H.O.U.: They are completely doing away with the T&C and changing the pacifica to a minivan...its brand new for 2017 model year. Nothing like the pacifica used to be...
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We love our Odyssey!
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Did you get a chance to test drive them yet? After test driving both, we went with the Odyssey. We love it!
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@Mrs D: Yes! I am so sad that we bought a T&C before the announcement
I would have loved to go the Toyota or Honda route but we cash flowed the purchase of this vehicle. -
We liked the odyssey and Sienna but went with the Sienna SE. It has a sportier look for a minivan..haha.
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@dc yoga bee: Oh, really? I was surprised Honda hasn't tried to compete with Toyota and have AWD in their minivans. Good to hear it might be in their next model update.
If we had to get a minivan, I would look for one with AWD.
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We have a 2016 Odessey and it's really nice. I like it as much as someone who didn't actually want a minivan can like a minivan haha. The vacuum is super super awesome.
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@ValentineMommy: I do like that the Odyssey can have three carseats in a row, but do you know if it can handle larger carseats? Both my boys are in Britax Advocates.
@gingerbebe: It seems like they have comparable features, so I plan to test drive them both to see how they handle. I currently drive a compact SUV, so I'm not sure how a minivan compares.
@Kimberlybee: We do a couple big trips a year, and we are getting to the point where our compact SUV can't hold everything we need. I'm looking forward to having extra space!
@MrsB2012: That's good to know. I wonder if they have changed any of those flaws in the 2016 model?
@coopsmama: I think looks are important! Hubby likes the look of the Odyssey better, but I'm undecided.
@skipra: I think it would be nice to have more carseat configurations, so that's a selling point for me. Not sure how much we would use the AWD living in the south.
@Mrs. High Heels: No, we are test driving this Saturday. I can't wait!
@Mrs. Sunshine: That's my favorite feature!
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We just bought the Odyssey (two weeks ago!).
Check out "wide mode" in the middle row for your car seats, I am not sure if this is also a feature in the Sienna, but basically you can adjust the seats 1" "out" from it's normal spot to allow for carseats to fit better.
We moved on from a crossover SUV. Two kids, hopefully more, and a medium sized dog. I have the middle row seat behind driver out, one kid in the back row, one in the middle behind the passenger and awesome floor space wide up. They hop in, I climb in to buckle, the space is unreal now. No more thinking about how to fit things in!
We got a really good deal on our 2016 EX, and didn't bother comparing the Sienna (though it was technically the only other option we were considering) as we preferred the look of the Honda by far, and didn't want to jeopardize the trade-in value they gave us on my lemon I was trading in, and the deal (no cost to finance and 2% above cost).
It drives so nicely, and we are really impressed so far
Its new and is replacing the T&C...I have heard amazing things about it...
(I know that sounds silly, but that's the main reason we went Honda when we decided minivan.)
I would have loved to go the Toyota or Honda route but we cash flowed the purchase of this vehicle.Reply
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