Compare 2019 Toyota Sienna vs. Odyssey

The Toyota Sienna debuted in North America in 1998. Dubbed the “Camry of minivans”, the Sienna eventually made Toyota the first and only automaker to factory install an auto-access seat for disabled passengers. The Toyota Sienna comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense® P (TSS-P)²⁴ and available All-Wheel Drive (AWD) with active torque control.

In comparison, the Honda Odyssey entered the North American market in 1995. This was a little earlier than the Sienna, but Odyssey had a fifth-generation redesign in 2018. Toyota Sienna has been in its third-generation since 2011 but has received numerous updates to its styling and features as recently as 2018.

In pricing, the Honda Odyssey starts with a lower MSRP ($30,090) than the 2019 Sienna L ($31,315)¹². However, the base model Odyssey LX misses out on many sought-after features that are available on the 2019 Sienna L. For example Apple CarPlay® compatibility⁴⁶⁵¹, a larger touch-screen, and 5 USB ports³² are not available on the Odyssey LX. Honda Sensing, which is Honda’s system similar to Toyota Safety Sense® P (TSS-P)²⁴, is not available on the Odyssey LX.

When comparing the 2019 Toyota Sienna and the 2019 Honda Odyssey, it’s worth noting that both brands are backed by excellent reputations. Honda was named Best Value Brand for 2018 according to Kelley Blue Book®, and Toyota was named Best Resale Value Brand in 2018⁴¹. Toyota also backs the Sienna with their ToyotaCare¹¹ no-cost scheduled maintenance plan. This also includes complimentary 24-hour roadside assistance³⁸ for two years and unlimited miles. The 2019 Odyssey also comes with Roadside Assistance, but for 3 years/36,000 miles.

In this head-to-head comparison we will take an in-depth look at the 2019 Toyota Sienna and the 2019 Honda Odyssey. When it comes to safety, interior features and performance, there is only one clear winner between the two. Let’s begin.

Both the 2019 Toyota Sienna and the 2019 Honda Odyssey were awarded 5-Star Overall Safety Ratings by the NHTSA²⁶. So where do these two vehicles differ when it comes to safety? Let’s take a closer look.

Every 2019 Toyota Sienna comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense® P (TSS-P)²⁴ which features many great safety functions. Honda Sensing® does have some comparable features, but the base grade Honda Odyssey LX does not come with Honda Sensing®.

Some of the key active safety features included in Toyota Safety Sense® P (TSS-P)²⁴ are described below:

Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD)²³²² is designed to help mitigate potential collisions using radar and an in-vehicle camera to help detect a preceding vehicle and, under certain daytime conditions, a pedestrian. If the system determines that the possibility of a frontal collision with a vehicle or a pedestrian is likely, an audio and visual alert is given and, provided the driver applies the brakes, the system may provide additional braking force using Brake Assist (BA)²⁸. If the driver does not apply the brakes in this situation, the system may automatically apply the brakes, reducing speed to help mitigate the impact or avoid the collision altogether.

Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA)²⁰. Under certain conditions, this feature alerts the driver if the vehicle begins to leave its lane. If Steering Assist (SA) has been enabled, the vehicle may make slight corrective steering inputs to help the vehicle stay within its lane.

Automatic High Beams (AHB)¹⁸. This feature uses an in-vehicle camera to detect headlights or taillights ahead of your vehicle, and then toggles between high and low beam lights. This function allows the driver to keep both hands on the wheel and may help with earlier detection of pedestrians and obstacles.

Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)³⁹. DRCC helps maintain a preset distance between your car and the car ahead of you. DRCC can automatically slow your vehicle in order to maintain that distance and detect when the vehicle ahead of you is no longer in your lane and will then accelerate back to your last speed.

As mentioned above, Honda Sensing® shares some comparable features to Toyota Safety Sense® P (TSS-P)²⁴. However, Honda Sensing® is not available on the 2019 Honda Odyssey LX. Drivers who take safety seriously should also take note that Smart Stop Technology® (SST)⁵⁰ is standard on the Toyota Sienna but is not available for the Honda Odyssey.

Of note, Toyota also backs the Sienna with ToyotaCare. All leases and purchases of 2019 Toyota vehicles receive no charge 24-hour Roadside Assistance for 2 years/unlimited miles, plus no-cost scheduled factory maintenance plan for 2 years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first. The 2019 Odyssey also comes with Roadside Assistance for 3 years/36,000 miles.

To round out the Sienna’s safety features, don’t forget that it has available All-Wheel Drive (AWD) with added torque control while the 2019 Honda Odyssey does not offer All-Wheel Drive (AWD). This feature is designed to help with vehicle control in many types of challenging driving conditions.

Minivan drivers tend to place a convenient interior near the top of their list of important features. When looking inside these two minivan competitors, the Toyota Sienna takes a clear win for comfort and convenience without the additional charge.

The 2019 Honda Odyssey LX comes with a 5” LCD display while every 2019 Sienna boasts a much larger 7-in. touch-screen. The 2019 Odyssey LX also lacks Apple CarPlay® integration which is standard on every Sienna⁴⁶⁴⁷⁵¹. In addition, the Honda Odyssey comes with just 3 USB ports, while the Toyota Sienna comes with 5³².

Drivers looking for luxury interior features will be happy to find that the 2019 Sienna Limited trim has a lower starting MSRP of $44,210¹² than the 2019 Odyssey Touring trim which starts at $44,660. However, both vehicles come with comparable luxury features such as the Odyssey Touring’s Magic Slide 2nd-Row Seats®. These are equivalent to the Sienna’s removable premium leather-trimmed second-row lounge seat⁵⁴ captain's chairs with long-slide feature.

Both minivans in this head-to-head offer great interior comfort and convenience. When it comes down to it, Sienna’s greater number of USB ports³² and larger screens give it a leg up on the Odyssey.

Shifting gears into the performance of these two competitors, the Sienna continues to stay ahead of the game. The Toyota Sienna offers All-Wheel Drive (AWD), earning it major bonus points for drivers who need peace of mind when driving in certain road conditions. As well as offering AWD, the Sienna also features superior horsepower and torque compared to the Odyssey, with a 3.5L V6 engine and 8-speed Electronically Controlled automatic transmission with intelligence (ECT-i). Every Sienna trim has 296 horsepower while their Odyssey counterparts have only 280 horsepower.

The Honda Odyssey does have an EPA-estimated 28 MPG highway while the FWD Toyota Siennas have an EPA-estimated 27 MPG highway ⁴⁸. Considering the previously discussed performance advantages of the Toyota Sienna, however, this very small win for the Odyssey feels a little lacklustre.

Drivers who want to dress their minivan up also have the option to take advantage of the unique sport appearance of the Toyota Sienna SE. This trim includes front and rear body kit, sport grill, sport instrument cluster, lower ride height and 19” wheels with gunmetal finish. Plus, unique sport driving dynamics with sport-tuned suspension and sport-calibrated Electric Power Steering (EPS).

With performance features in mind, the Toyota Sienna once again proves itself to be ahead of the competition. Drivers comparing these two minivans will appreciate the added driving confidence that comes with the performance of the Sienna.

Both the Toyota Sienna and the Honda Odyssey have been pushing the envelope of attractive features in minivans since the 1990s. For 2019, the Toyota Sienna L proves its worth with higher horsepower (296 vs. 280) than the 2019 Honda Odyssey LX, plus Toyota Safety Sense® P (TSS-P)²⁴ standard, and Apple CarPlay® compatibility⁴⁶⁵¹. Only the 2019 Odyssey EX and higher grades come with standard Honda Sensing® and Apple CarPlay® compatibility.

Only the Toyota Sienna has available All-Wheel Drive (AWD) with active torque control. In fact, All-Wheel Drive (AWD) is not available on any 2019 Honda Odyssey. Add to that the Sienna’s superior horsepower and comparable EPA-estimated MPG numbers to the Honda Odyssey, plus the ToyotaCare no-cost factory scheduled maintenance plan¹¹, and it’s easy to see why the Sienna is our choice. The 2019 Odyssey comes with 3 years/36,000 miles of Roadside Assistance.

Plus, even the base Sienna has a 7” touch-screen and 5 USB ports³² to keep the family entertained on long road trips. Yes, the Honda Odyssey LX base model is marginally cheaper than the Toyota Sienna¹², but the extra features that come standard on the Sienna L help make the extra cost negligible.

With these great features, it is no wonder why Toyota won the Best Resale Value Brand for 2018 according to Kelley Blue Book®⁴¹. And in this 2019 Sienna vs. 2019 Odyssey head-to-head, the Toyota Sienna comes out on top.