Not all minivans are created equal. The redesigned Honda Odyssey holds many advantages over its rivals including the Toyota Sienna from space and fuel economy to safety and refinement. The Sienna lacks much of the poise and ingenuity that make the Odyssey such an appealing choice.

 

Available in five models – LX, EX, EX-L, Touring and Touring Elite® – it is easy to choose the perfect Odyssey to match your needs. With seating for up to eight, the Honda has a massive passenger volume of 172.5 cubic feet while the Sienna only offers passengers 164.4 cubic feet of space. The Odyssey gives occupants more front-, second- and third-row legroom.

 

The Odyssey interior was not only designed to be large, but clever as well. It offers multiple cabin configuration possibilities and includes a multi-function second-row center seat that can slide 1.5 inches to each side and slide forward 5.5 inches. The third-row Magic Seat can be folded into the floor for extra space. With the second-row seats removed, 4x8 sheets of plywood can be flat-stacked in the rear cargo area.

 

Edmunds.com summed up the interior of the Odyssey with, “While it's not a luxury vehicle, the build qualities of both the interior and exterior would suggest it is,” while the Sienna underwhelmed. “We find the materials choices, textures and plastic awareness downgraded and disappointing in this third-generation Sienna, especially when compared to its main competition.”

 

The Odyssey also maintains an exceptionally quiet interior, thanks in part to its highly rigid body. Made of 59 percent high-strength steel, the solid backbone of the Odyssey helps to enhance the effectiveness of the sound isolating materials used throughout the van. This high body rigidity and high-strength steel’s lower weight also help optimize handling.

 

Minivans, more often than not, are filled with families, so it is imperative that your new purchase be safe. The Odyssey received top marks for its performance in crash testing; it earned a Five-Star overall vehicle score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and was named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Sienna only achieved four stars in NHTSA testing. For owners with small children, the Odyssey also includes a best-in-class five LATCH anchors in the rear, making for strong and easy attachment of child safety seats. Just one more nod toward safety and usability.

 

Entertainment is another important consideration for minivan buyers, and the Odyssey delivers. The Odyssey Touring Elite trim comes standard with a factory-integrated Rear Entertainment Center that features an ultra-wide, 16.2-inch screen and a 12-speaker, 650-watt speaker setup. The system also comes with a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) video input, making it easy to hook up other devices, like gaming consoles, to the system.

 

A 248-hp 3.5-liter V6 propels the Odyssey quickly and quietly down the highway through a five-speed automatic transmission. This combination is not only powerful, it is frugal. The Odyssey EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 27 mpg highway* bests the 25 mpg offered by the Sienna, and all other minivan competitors as well. The Sienna comes standard with a four-cylinder engine that produces 187 hp and 186 lb/ft of torque with a V6 available at a higher cost.

 

The press has taken notice. For the second straight year, the Odyssey has earned the MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Award for "Best Minivan,” and Parenting magazine has recognized the Honda Odyssey Touring Elite as one of the year's "Smartest Family Cars."

Against the ingenuity, class and engineering of the 2012 Honda Odyssey, the Sienna falls flat. With more space, better entertainment options and a more efficient powertrain, the Odyssey is the clear winner by a large margin.

 

To see the difference for yourself, call and schedule your test drive of the new 2012 Honda Odyssey.

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