2005 Toyota Sienna VS. Honda Oddesy

[CSR]

Well, we just got a 2005 Toyota Sienna; just wanted to know if we made the right choice.... my dad is biased towards TOYOTA, but they also had a lower price at the base model $30, 000..


Your opinions please.... :?:

[pandaharo]

you can't go wrogn with Toyota quality :)

[nano]

toyota all the way

[gilboman]

both are solid vehicles but i find the new odyseey ugly and i'm not sure what options you got...the sienna can be had with AWD and HIDs.

but i think most people will be better off with the smoother and more refined sienna

[advantage21]

Both are great vehicles but he Sienna is better in my opinion. And also Chinese ppl will not buy an Oddessy .. ;) :cheesygri :D :o

[TenzoR]

my gf's family looked at the Sienna and Odyessy and they bought the Sienna

[blizzah]

I have a Sienna and it's a good car.

[jaigandhi5]

Nissan Quest hands down :twisted: :twisted:

[ft19ft19]

I am in a similar position, I am looking to buy one of these mini vans but don't know which one is better. Can you guys explain why you prefer one over the other. Thanks.

[CSR]

Nissan Quest hands down :twisted: :twisted:

i'm sorry to say.. that car looks sexy in photos but ass ugly on the road..

[accordperformance]

sienna is absolutely batta looking :D
but from my experience toyota's car less powerful than the honda's one
even tho they claim to have the same hps, similar weight and functions
honda turns out betta usually, just my personal way of thinking

[Razor Leaf]

I am in a similar position, I am looking to buy one of these mini vans but don't know which one is better. Can you guys explain why you prefer one over the other. Thanks.
My brother is thinking of getting either the Sienna or Odyssey. He hasn't decided yet which he wants, but prefers how the Odyssey looks. I prefer how the Sienna looks. The Odyssey LX (base model) is about $2000 more than the Sienna CE (base model). So what do you get for that extra $2000 or so? (This comparison is between the base models only.)

- more horsepower
- side airbags
- traction and stability control
- double-wishbone independent rear suspension
- 4 wheel disc breaks
- cruise control

It's up to you to decide if that's worth the extra money or if you need those features. In my opinion, it's worth it. Time for me to "or-duuc-see." ;)

[gilboman]

My brother is thinking of getting either the Sienna or Odyssey. He hasn't decided yet which he wants, but prefers how the Odyssey looks. I prefer how the Sienna looks. The Odyssey LX (base model) is about $2000 more than the Sienna CE (base model). So what do you get for that extra $2000 or so? (This comparison is between the base models only.)

- more horsepower
- side airbags
- traction and stability control
- double-wishbone independent rear suspension
- 4 wheel disc breaks
- cruise control

It's up to you to decide if that's worth the extra money or if you need those features. In my opinion, it's worth it. Time for me to "or-duuc-see." ;)

why does a minivan need wishbone suspension? 4 wheel disc brakes is meaningless unless it aids in shortening stopping distance but honda's usually have terrible braking distance.

[Blue7thGen]

Odyssey we just got one :D but then coming from a windstar anything is better ;)

[Digiital]

I did allot of research when I bought my 2004 Sienna. Of course the Toyota was a winner. I had looked at just about every minivan out there. Yes the Toyota is like 10g's more then say the Caravan. But after having a major bad experience with N.American cars.

1. Caravan, bad history with engine and transmissions. The look of workmanship looked really crappy on the interior. You get what you pay for.
2. KIA, the biggest piece of crap on wheels, the millage was worse then most SUV's.
3. Mazda, wasn't all that bad, but it's much smaller then the Sienna and more or less the same

Didn't even bother to look at Ford or GM.

Why I picked the Sienna:
1. Gas millage the best in the MiniVan class. And it's not just theory, I've put on my wheels a little more then 28,000Kms and have seen my highway drive average 7L/p100Km. Just last fall, I drove from Toronto to Washington DC almost on one tank. I was about 50km short of making the hotel. Which is about 900Km from Toronto. City driving is about 11L/p100km.
2. Engine is a Lexus engine, same one thats found in the RX330 SUV.
3. OF course the long history of Siennas, and their safety history, plus long run resale value.
4. Craftsmanship is just awesome, lots of detail was put into the look and feel of everything.

I ended up getting the 8 seater LE model. No problems pulling a snowmobile trailer with 2 sleds.



I am in a similar position, I am looking to buy one of these mini vans but don't know which one is better. Can you guys explain why you prefer one over the other. Thanks.

[Digiital]

Better ride, I find less body roll.
As for the breaks, ABS. The Sienna auto adjusts based on the amount of weight your hauling, and the break handling is just great, more then a few times where I've had to slam the breaks and in a straight line I went.


why does a minivan need wishbone suspension? 4 wheel disc brakes is meaningless unless it aids in shortening stopping distance but honda's usually have terrible braking distance.

[actng]

Where're the VW bashers in this thread? Aren't they supposed to be in every car thread? fuggers.

I like the Odyssey but apparently the Sienna is like revolutionarily successful. They featured it in Business 2.0 about how it was trademark Toyota leadership from the top to turn the line around into growth while the rest of the market is declining.

You've made the purchase already, don't go looking for trouble.

[SurrealEvolution]

When I was comparing the two, I found there was better value in the Honda than the Toyota. I was looking at the 05 Odyssey EX-L package and comparing with the 05 Sienna LE w/leather package. On paper, you paid about $1500 more for the Odyssey but you got a lot more. The options included in the Odyssey over the Sienna was traction control, curtain airbags, VCM fuel management, tri-zone climate control, adversity antennae and 6 disc changer. I'd consider these options what I'd want but you have to go to the XLE which is $5000 more. In the end, I bought a Sienna because like other people have said, you can't go wrong with Toyota quality and I also liked the ride a lot better. It felt way smoother and was also more quiet. I guess if I want those other options, I'll really have to pay for them! Also, another note, my wife had a much easier time folding down the 60/40 rear seats on the Sienna than the Honda.

[eelfliw]

For the price of either one, you can buy 2 used Caravans. And if you can drive each Caravan 200,000KM, you'll have to get 400,000KM out of either one to be a better deal. In the mean time, bank the extra cash you have lying around and collect interest.

Vehicles are wear & tear items with high rate of depreciation. The less you spend on one, the better off you are. Unless, of couse, you have money to burn. But if you have money to burn, why visit RFD?

[CSR]

I kno for a fact that the Sienna has cruise control, traction/stability control....

As for the disc brakes, i think thats included in the base model as well
My brother is thinking of getting either the Sienna or Odyssey. He hasn't decided yet which he wants, but prefers how the Odyssey looks. I prefer how the Sienna looks. The Odyssey LX (base model) is about $2000 more than the Sienna CE (base model). So what do you get for that extra $2000 or so? (This comparison is between the base models only.)

- more horsepower
- side airbags
- traction and stability control
- double-wishbone independent rear suspension
- 4 wheel disc breaks
- cruise control

It's up to you to decide if that's worth the extra money or if you need those features. In my opinion, it's worth it. Time for me to "or-duuc-see." ;)

[CSR]

When I was comparing the two, I found there was better value in the Honda than the Toyota. I was looking at the 05 Odyssey EX-L package and comparing with the 05 Sienna LE w/leather package. On paper, you paid about $1500 more for the Odyssey but you got a lot more. The options included in the Odyssey over the Sienna was traction control, curtain airbags, VCM fuel management, tri-zone climate control, adversity antennae and 6 disc changer. I'd consider these options what I'd want but you have to go to the XLE which is $5000 more. In the end, I bought a Sienna because like other people have said, you can't go wrong with Toyota quality and I also liked the ride a lot better. It felt way smoother and was also more quiet. I guess if I want those other options, I'll really have to pay for them! Also, another note, my wife had a much easier time folding down the 60/40 rear seats on the Sienna than the Honda.

Isn't the Sienna tri-zone climate control?

[Digiital]

I have the LE, but if I recall the base did have those things. As well as disc brakes.

I'll assume he meant VCM as the on board 'computer' to show you the fuel used and estimate left in the tank, thats also on the base. Thats one thing I found with the Sienna is that even the base model was loaded with features.


I kno for a fact that the Sienna has cruise control, traction/stability control....

As for the disc brakes, i think thats included in the base model as well

[Digiital]

Only on the XLE version.


Isn't the Sienna tri-zone climate control?

[plymouthhater]

For the price of either one, you can buy 2 used Caravans. And if you can drive each Caravan 200,000KM, you'll have to get 400,000KM out of either one to be a better deal. In the mean time, bank the extra cash you have lying around and collect interest.

Vehicles are wear & tear items with high rate of depreciation. The less you spend on one, the better off you are. Unless, of couse, you have money to burn. But if you have money to burn, why visit RFD?

With the poor quality and low reliability of Chrysler minivans - (having owned a Plymouth Voyager) - there is absolutely nothing out there that could ever convince me to purchase another Chrysler minivan. The P.O.S. that I owned, spent more time at the dealer for "under warranty" service than it did on the road. (3 trannys, A/C compressor twice, A/C condensor, A/C evaporator, front heater blower motor, rear wiper motor, front wiper motor, power lock actuator, fuel pump, serpentine belt tensioner twice, water pump, emergency brake mechansism all replaced under warranty), and I had all scheduled mtce performed and drove the vehicle with TLC. :mad:

'nuff said

Now you all know where the name Plymouthhater came from!

BTW there is a 2004 Sienna LE - 8 passenger model, sitting in my driveway :lol: In almost 2 years of Sienna ownership, other than the couple of recalls, the vehicle has experienced NO service issues.

a good site for Sienna info:
http://www.siennaclub.org

[SurrealEvolution]

VCM is the new fuel consumption technology that shuts off 3 cylinders on a V6 when cruising. According to the Honda brochure, this saves about half a litre per 100 km vs a vehicle without it.

If I remember correctly, the CE does not have 4 wheel disc brakes and you have to go up to the XLE trim to get the tri-zone climate control. Like I said earlier, if you are comparing options, the Odyssey is a better value but you are trading off against the solid product by Toyota. Although I must admit, the gap between the two is quite narrow.

[SLee]

I like the Odyssey but apparently the Sienna is like revolutionarily successful. They featured it in Business 2.0 about how it was trademark Toyota leadership from the top to turn the line around into growth while the rest of the market is declining.
This describes the Odyssey more. The 1st generation Odyssey was a dud in North America (though a big hit in Japan). The 2nd generation Odyssey however was a massive hit and instantly became the hottest minivan in the NA market. The Sienna managed to match the sales of Odyssey when it was redesigned a year earlier than but the third generation Odyssey and increased production gives the sales edge back to the Odyssey.

[mjl_toronto]

I haven't driven either and am not in the market for one. I hope I never do need a minivan.

Anyways, I've heard from many people that the Odyssey is better because it drives more like a car than the Sienna. I guess that's a good thing for all those bad asian women drivers (my mom included) :lol: .

People who test drove both, is this true?

[CSR]

Only on the XLE version.

well dual FOR SURE, cuz i'm always playin wit it

[SurrealEvolution]

I haven't driven either and am not in the market for one. I hope I never do need a minivan.

Anyways, I've heard from many people that the Odyssey is better because it drives more like a car than the Sienna. I guess that's a good thing for all those bad asian women drivers (my mom included) :lol: .

People who test drove both, is this true?

Hey, that's what I said too! But when it comes down to it, when you have at least 2 young children, it makes too much sense to have a mini-van over an SUV. Compared to an SUV, it drives very close to a car. I've driven both and the Odyssey seems to be more performance oriented, i.e. stiffer suspension and faster acceleration but these are not necessarily attributes that top my list for buying/owning one.

One thing I can recommend for people that have not/are not used to driving a mini-van is those backup sensors. I don't have it on mine but sure wish I did.

[Razor Leaf]

I kno for a fact that the Sienna has cruise control, traction/stability control....

As for the disc brakes, i think thats included in the base model as well
Keep in mind that I was talking about the 2005 Sienna CE. I think I'm wrong about the cruise control, but I know I'm right about all the other features. I totally understand your reluctance to believe me since there is often a lot of false information posted. That is why I would encourage everyone to check for themselves at:

http://www.toyota.ca/cgi-bin/WebObjects/WWW.woa/14/wo/Home.Vehicles.Go.Sienna-NbMLqMzOE6sVZFCFxEKpvg/3.11?v151040e%2ehtml

(Hope that link works.)

[astrolad]

Odyssey we just got one :D but then coming from a windstar anything is better ;)
Funny story - I used to own a 96 Windstar and last Christmas we were visiting family in Saskatchewan and the thing broke down. I had just but big $s into it the previous October to replace cracked exhaust manifold but it was a broken connecting rod that did it in.
We ended up buying an '04 Sienna LE 8 while still in Sask (CE wasn't an option as they had only the LE on the lot) and drove it home. Although it was the most expensive thing I've ever purchased under those circumstances, I've had no buyer's remorse.

I did have the misfortune of getting it scratched up in a parking lot and had a Freestar (son of Windstar) as a rental when it was at the body shop. Even for half the price, I wouldn't want a Freestar.

I'm sure had we chosen an Odyssey, we would be just as happy.

[CSR]

Keep in mind that I was talking about the 2005 Sienna CE. I think I'm wrong about the cruise control, but I know I'm right about all the other features. I totally understand your reluctance to believe me since there is often a lot of false information posted. That is why I would encourage everyone to check for themselves at:

http://www.toyota.ca/cgi-bin/WebObjects/WWW.woa/14/wo/Home.Vehicles.Go.Sienna-NbMLqMzOE6sVZFCFxEKpvg/3.11?v151040e%2ehtml

(Hope that link works.)

should have looked at it earlier...

i forgot to mention.. this is kinda a biggie... the Sienna's middle row windows actually roll down like a car!!

Heres a thread from Toyota club
http://www.siennaclub.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=6917

[Rehan]

i forgot to mention.. this is kinda a biggie... the Sienna's middle row windows actually roll down like a car!!
So the Sienna is copying from the MPV now, is it? :cheesygri

[Digiital]

Trust me, the Sienna sure doesn't drive like a minivan thats for sure. I've driven man vans before and the difference compared to the others is night and day. It's no sports car, but you don't get (atleast I don't feel it) bodyroll and that feel if you change lanes that your trying to gain control of it.


I haven't driven either and am not in the market for one. I hope I never do need a minivan.

Anyways, I've heard from many people that the Odyssey is better because it drives more like a car than the Sienna. I guess that's a good thing for all those bad asian women drivers (my mom included) :lol: .

People who test drove both, is this true?

[Digiital]

Same here, there are add-on, and I have yet to find it locally a lic plate conver with the sensors built into the frame.



One thing I can recommend for people that have not/are not used to driving a mini-van is those backup sensors. I don't have it on mine but sure wish I did.

[radeonboy]

The Oddesy is the benchmark. Period. All others want to catch up to it.

[Razor Leaf]

should have looked at it earlier...
Should have looked at that before buying. ;)
I agree with actng that asking questions after buying a vehicle is just inviting trouble. Questions like, "What if I had gotten this other car?" or "Could I have gotten a better deal?" will only add unnecessary frustration and needless remorse to one's life. You bought it already, enjoy it! :)

[blizzah]

The Oddesy is the benchmark. Period. All others want to catch up to it.

Well, the front of the oddysee that came out one year later that the Toyota tooks mighty similar.

[CSR]

The Oddesy is the benchmark. Period. All others want to catch up to it.

The benchmark is not always the best.. Toyota is known to copy other's ideas and improve upon them.. see Third Row stow and go w/o taking off head rest.

[ft19ft19]

Which has better gas milage and less expensive maintance schedule?

[ywh]

mazda mpv

[gilboman]

The Oddesy is the benchmark. Period. All others want to catch up to it.

benchmark of ugliest minivan

[CSR]

Anyone buy minivans latly?

[growler]

I'm currently deciding between the Odyssey or the Sienna. If I were to spend $55K (Sienna XLE and/or Odyssey Touring), I think that either one would be good. Though, I would likely choose the Sienna as it does come with an AWD option.

Since reality hits me, I feel that I really don't want to pay more than about $40K base price. At that price range, I would pick the Odyssey. Why? Because, all Odyssey comes with vehicle stability control (only available in XLE and/or AWD models), side air bags (only available in XLE), and curtain air bags (only available in XLE). Basically, in the $40K range, Sienna doesn't come with a bunch of these safety features. Not that I believe I'm going to be broad sided or roll the van, but, because I'm carrying my kids, I want them to be as protected as possible.

One thing of interest is that the IHS and a report I read from one of the Scandanavian countries had stated that that vehicle stability control has become one of the most important safety feature available as it's reduced the number of single vehicle accidents (on vehicles where it's installed) from 40%-50%.

So, at a $40K base price, its turning out to be a no brainer. The Odyssey for me is the better choice.

Just one note with respect to the AWD version of the Sienna. It runs on all season (well three season) run flats. There is no spare tire, because, there is no room to store one. Consequentially, I'm not sure what to do when the snow starts falling. I'm unsure if there are suitable run flat snow tires in the market place.

[growler]

Eventually purchased the Touring edition of the Odyssey this month. Out in BC, there is apparently a higher than level inventory of the vehicle and the fact that the 2005 year model run is almost done, you should be able to get $2K off the MSRP. And as anyone that's been shopping around for a Honda Odyssey, getting any discount from the MSRP is tough.

Van is nice. Switching from 6 cylinder operation to 3 cylinder operation is imperceptible, ride quality is quite similar to a Sienna, DVD nav unit integrates with audio control nicely, rear view camera is certainly handy and an overall great safety feature to have. One unexpected surprise is the voice recognition system. With it one can easily control the nav unit, 3 zone climate control, and front/rear entertainment system without taking one's eyes off the road. Surprisingly accurate recognition system.

Lastly, insurance for this vehicle is surprisingly inexpensive. I'm told it's much cheaper than the cost of insuring an Accord or even a Civic SI. I guess the actuaries expect much less insurance claims when compared to drivers drving those other types of vehicle.

[CSR]

good mini review.

[gh05t]

Based on road count, Toyota Sienna seems to be the favourite over the Honda.
Both vehicles are pretty much neck and neck in comparison and it really comes down to which brand you prefer.

I am thinking Toyota has an edge based on price though, and this is reflected by the numbers i have seen on the road compared to the number of hondas.

[shutout]

Based on road count, Toyota Sienna seems to be the favourite over the Honda.
Both vehicles are pretty much neck and neck in comparison and it really comes down to which brand you prefer.

I am thinking Toyota has an edge based on price though, and this is reflected by the numbers i have seen on the road compared to the number of hondas.

You're right there are more Sienna on the road, but it is bc their current model came in 2004 while Odyssey starts 2005. I'm glad I waited another year. IMO 2005 Odyssey looks and drives much better.

[raptorfan]

Going to resurrect this thread, looking for a used van..anyone comment now a couple years later on how each has performed? reliability? repairs? Or even consider a different year?