2023 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2022 Honda Odyssey, much like its predecessors, was recommended to families for multiple practical reasons. Firstly, its sliding side doors were a significant convenience when loading toddlers into the vehicle, especially in tight parking spots. These doors made it much easier compared to the narrow portals of an SUV. Secondly, the Odyssey's third-row seat provided ample comfort, accommodating adults with ease—which was a boon during carpools or family visits. The deep well behind this seat ensured that gear remained secure and did not tumble out when the rear liftgate was opened. Lastly, folding down the Odyssey’s third-row seat and removing the second-row seats could transform it into a cargo space rivaling that of a Chevrolet Suburban.

Despite these practical benefits, minivans suffered from an image problem that fewer consumers wanted to embrace. The 2022 Honda Odyssey, though adhering to the classic minivan design ethos, did try to inject a little style. The kinked sliding doors created dynamic hockey-stick character lines, and the Elite trim level featured dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels that added a touch of sophistication. The lineup ranged from the base LX to the top Elite trim, with prices spanning from $33,040 to $49,995, including destination charges. Inside, starting with the EX-L trim, leather upholstery replaced cloth, reflecting a sense of quality in materials, fit, and finish. The interior had a classic open-concept design with a low console and ample storage space, but the center stack's switchgear, although seemingly haphazard, placed commonly used functions conveniently near eye level.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna aimed to shed its minivan image with a design reminiscent of a Japanese bullet train. The front-end styling, along with trim-specific wheels—including 20-inch wheels for front-wheel-drive XSE and Platinum trims—aimed to provide a more dynamic look. Various trim levels, ranging from the base LE to the top-tier Platinum, with the new 25th Anniversary Special Edition also available, provided options to consumers.

The XLE trim, expected to be a popular choice, added features like LED fog lights, power-sliding doors, and a power liftgate—making it particularly suitable for families. Inside, the high-quality brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents on the center console in the Platinum trim exuded luxury. Depending on the trim, the Sienna offered seating for seven or eight passengers, with middle bench seat-equipped trims capable of supporting three car seats in the middle row via LATCH anchors.

Powering the 2022 Honda Odyssey was a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produced 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The engine worked with a 10-speed automatic transmission featuring pushbutton controls on the dashboard. Unlike the Toyota Sienna, the Odyssey did not offer all-wheel drive (AWD) or an electrified powertrain. Consequently, its EPA fuel economy estimate was 22 mpg combined, falling short of the Sienna's hybrid efficiency. Although the Odyssey was not particularly fun for spirited driving, it excelled in everyday usability. It showed agility and responsiveness in various driving conditions and clocked 22.6 mpg during a test drive.

One notable drawback was the Odyssey’s braking performance when descending steep gradients, where repeated use led to pedal vibration and audible grumble. Despite this, the Odyssey generally handled well, offering a balanced driving experience that's both enjoyable and safe for everyday commutes.

Toyota’s approach with the 2023 Sienna was different. It adopted a hybrid powertrain standard, comprising a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two front-mounted and one optional rear-mounted electric motor for AWD variants. Combined, these components delivered 245 net system horsepower. Though not as powerful as the Odyssey, the Sienna’s continuously variable transmission (CVT) made city driving and cruising on highways effortless. However, it lacked the energetic acceleration of the Odyssey.

What the Sienna lacked in outright power, it compensated with a well-tuned chassis and nimble steering. It was especially maneuverable in urban settings and provided a smooth highway experience. Various drive modes, including EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport, offered different driving dynamics, though the EV mode had limited practical use.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey made accessibility a breeze with doors that opened wide and a low step-in height. Inside, the Elite trim featured quality leather seats with power adjustments, heating, and ventilation, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. The Odyssey’s storage solutions included ample cubbies, shelves, and a useful floor tray.

The second-row Magic Slide seats offered considerable flexibility, allowing for easy adjustment and removal. This arrangement enhanced passenger safety and made the third-row seats more accessible. The third-row seats provided ample space and support for adults, making long journeys comfortable. Cargo space was generous, with 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 88.8 cubic feet with the third row folded down, and 144.9 cubic feet with the second row removed. The Odyssey’s rubberized well in the cargo area prevented items from rolling out and breaking, which was a thoughtful touch.

Conversely, the 2023 Toyota Sienna’s interior was equally storage-friendly, featuring numerous cubbies and bins. It had a spacious open cubby below the center console and a long shelf across the dashboard, ideal for small items and equipped with a wireless charging pad in higher trims. The center console bin and multiple cupholders ensured plenty of storage options for passengers.

At over 200 inches long on a 120.5-inch wheelbase, the Sienna’s footprint was substantial. Yet, it managed space efficiently with 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 75.2 cubic feet with it folded flat. The total cargo space of 101 cubic feet, though falling short of the Odyssey, was still notable. The Sienna's second-row captain's chairs, however, could not be removed or stowed like in the Odyssey or Chrysler Pacifica, limiting cargo capacity but adding comfort and functionality for second-row passengers, complete with extending ottomans for added leg support.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was rich with technology but lagged behind newer rivals. It came with an 8-inch touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from the EX trim upward. Higher trims like Touring and Elite added navigation, WiFi hotspot, CabinWatch, and CabinTalk features. Despite its solid functionality, the infotainment system showed its age with a small display screen, lack of a tuning knob, and a voice-operated navigation system that was less intuitive than its competitors. The rear-seat entertainment system had a 10.2-inch display with media compatibility but felt outdated compared to modern systems.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna faced similar issues with an older infotainment interface, though it covered basic needs like satellite radio, Bluetooth, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 9-inch touchscreen, while visually sufficient, required wired connections for smartphone integration, and lacked convenient shortcuts for seamless operation. The Sienna's JBL audio system and seven USB ports provided good functionality but did not elevate the overall experience to modern standards.

Honda equipped the 2022 Odyssey with its Honda Sensing suite, featuring adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. Additional features like automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system were also standard. However, some of these safety systems lacked refinement, occasionally issuing false warnings or abrupt actions. Nevertheless, the Odyssey earned high safety ratings, securing a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna's safety technology was equally impressive, offering standard ADAS including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. These features were essential for family vehicles, enhancing safety during drives. The Sienna also received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and, while the 2023 model awaited an IIHS rating, the 2022 Sienna’s Top Safety Pick+ status provided confidence in its crashworthiness.