2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2022 Toyota Sienna

The 2021 Honda Odyssey exuded familiarity with its decade-old styling theme, albeit refreshed for the new model year. It showed off a new grille and front bumper design, along with standard LED headlights equipped with automatic high-beam operation across all trim levels. The rear sported a new gloss black spear complete with a chrome insert spanning the taillights. New wheel designs were also introduced for the top three trims. These cosmetic changes served to modernize the Odyssey subtly by reducing brightwork.

Buyers had five trim options: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite, with prices ranging from $31,790 to $47,820, excluding destination charges. However, several paint colors required a $395 premium, a notable shift from the previous year when these colors were free.

The tested Lunar Silver Metallic model came in the elite Elite trim, putting its price at $48,940, including a $1,120 destination charge. New features for the 2021 Odyssey Elite included perforated leather upholstery, contrast stitching, piping, and new dashboard ambient lighting, contributing to a more upscale vibe. Upgraded seating material and tri-color floor mats across most Odyssey models promised a cleaner interior by disguising dirt better. The Odyssey Elite’s new 19-inch wheels with Shark Gray paint and machined surfaces further enhanced its appearance, bringing it closer to being the Acura of minivans.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna stood out by adopting SUV-inspired styling, a logical approach in an era dominated by SUVs. This design choice helped, even though the sliding doors gave away its minivan identity. The front end bore a muscular look, and Toyota cleverly tucked away the sliding door channels below the rear side window frames to enhance aesthetics. This design had a more assertive stance with base models starting with 17-inch wheels, moving to 18-inch, and even 20-inch wheels in higher trims.

The interior was carefully engineered to avoid the overly functional feel of traditional minivans. It featured smart storage solutions, particularly under-console storage, big door pockets, and numerous cup holders (up to 16), making it practical for family needs. The second and third rows offered comfortable, roomy seating, including available captain’s chairs and a spacious three-across bench in the third row. A 60/40-split bench for the third row came standard across all grades, folding easily into the floor to accommodate more cargo.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine matched with a ten-speed automatic transmission, delivering a robust 280 horsepower to the front wheels. It included driving modes like Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow, along with paddle shifters for added control, though infrequently used.

The V6’s variable cylinder management technology was a notable fuel-saving feature and contributed to its EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving. During our testing, it achieved an average of 21.8 mpg. However, it lacked an all-wheel-drive option—an available feature in competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica and Toyota Sienna, potentially making it less appealing in regions with harsh winters.

Honda upgraded the Odyssey with a new electronic brake booster for 2021, enhancing low-speed following capability for adaptive cruise control and improving brake pedal feel and response. Despite its generally pleasurable driving experience—thanks to near-perfect steering weight, a firm yet comfortable ride, and well-managed body motions—the Odyssey’s brakes faltered under intense conditions. During a heatwave test, the brakes overheated, leading to rumbling, vibration, and fade, suggesting that an upgrade in braking components might be necessary.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna continued with its hybrid-only powertrain introduced in the prior model year. This system combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. The Sienna offered FWD as standard, with an AWD system that added a separate electric motor for the rear wheels, providing an additional 54 hp and 89 lb-ft of torque.

The Sienna employed an electronically controlled CVT, offering smooth power delivery and enhanced fuel efficiency. Drivers could toggle among four drive modes: Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport. Handling was surprisingly agile for a minivan, attributed to Toyota's Next Generation Architecture platform, which featured a front suspension and independent rear trailing arm suspension.

The standout feature for the Sienna Hybrid was its fuel economy. The EPA rated the FWD at 36 mpg across city, highway, and combined driving; AWD variants achieved 35 mpg. The battery pack, a 288-volt nickel-metal hydride unit with a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty, was neatly tucked under the front seats, optimizing space and balance.

Inside the 2021 Honda Odyssey, drivers enjoyed legible instrumentation and logical controls, albeit with a puzzling lack of a tuning knob for the stereo. A 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat was standard from the EX trim upwards, providing comfort, while the Elite trim added heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Storage was abundant, though the wireless smartphone charger on the Elite trim occupied valuable space on the center console.

The second-row seating featured Honda’s Magic Slide design, offering various configurations including Wide, Buddy, and Super Modes. The seats provided ample support but lacked adjustable armrests. Cargo capacity was impressive, with 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 88.8 cubic feet with the third row stowed, and maxing out at 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed—though removing and reinstalling these seats was cumbersome.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna proved to be a family workhorse, capable of fitting a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. The sliding second-row added flexibility, allowing loading in the cargo space through both rear and side doors. Cargo measurements were generous: 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101 cubic feet with the second row pushed forward. The Sienna also boasted a 3,500-pound towing capacity.

The 60/40 split third-row bench easily stowed into the floor, and every row enjoyed ample storage cubbies and cup holders. Additionally, the power-operated sliding doors and rear tailgate, activated by foot-motion triggers, offered convenient access, especially when hands were full.

Starting at the EX trim, the 2021 Honda Odyssey featured a robust 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and basic HondaLink connectivity. Higher trims, like Touring and Elite, added navigation, HondaLink subscription services, WiFi capability, CabinWatch, CabinTalk, and an improved PA system.

Touring and Elite trims incorporated rear-seat entertainment with a 10.2-inch screen and built-in streaming apps, although the lack of touchscreen functionality drew some criticism. The Elite trim further added an 11-speaker premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging. However, the absence of a tuning knob and subpar voice recognition technology were notable shortcomings.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna packed extensive standard and available tech features. All trims came with a 9-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and multiple USB ports throughout the cabin. Higher trims enjoyed audio and multimedia upgrades, culminating in a 12-speaker JBL system on premium trims.

The optional rear-seat entertainment system featured an 11.6-inch 1080p widescreen display, a remote, and wireless headphones. Instrumentation varied from a 4.2-inch display on lower trims to a 7-inch multi-information display on higher trims. The Platinum trim boasted a 10-inch head-up display and an optional digital rearview mirror, enhancing safety and convenience. However, it missed out on wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionalities, a desired modern convenience.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey enhanced its safety features for 2021, with the Honda Sensing suite becoming standard across all trims. This system offered low-speed follow for adaptive cruise control, pedestrian braking, and a road-sign recognition system. The Odyssey also featured LED headlights with automatic high-beam assist, aiming for a Top Safety Pick recommendation from the IIHS.

Despite some uneven braking with adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warning sensitivity, the Odyssey maintained its impressive IIHS ratings and five-star NHTSA ratings, except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for its 2021 model, a score expected to continue for the 2022 model due to the minimal changes. The NHTSA awarded the Sienna a five-star rating. The Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite, standard across all trims, included adaptive cruise control, Lane Tracing Assist, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning.

Additional safety features included a rear-seat reminder system, 10 airbags, and multiple LATCH positions. Standard tire-pressure monitoring, an inflator kit, and an optional spare tire added to the overall safety package, ensuring convenience and security for families.