Honda West

Raising the Stakes: 2011 Odyssey Trumps 2011 Sienna

With striking and functional styling, superior fuel economy, and an accessible and more comfortable interior the 2011 Honda Odyssey is raising the bar again.


The Lightning-bolt Beltline
The all-new 2011 Honda Odyssey's body is 1.6-inches lower, sleeker, and more sophisticated than the previous Odyssey. The lightning-bolt beltline provides an exclusive appearance, making it easier to pick out in crowded parking lots, and adds increased visibility for rear-seat passengers.

Advantage: While Toyota has promoted the styling of the 2011 Sienna, it already looks dated and stodgy.

Superior Fuel Economy
The 2011 Odyssey's superior EPA fuel economy ratings with its 3.5-liter V-6 engine and 5-speed automatic transmission (18 city/27 highway/21 combined mpg)1 are the result of Odyssey's improved aerodynamics and unique Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM®) technology. Odyssey Touring and Touring Elite trim levels with 6-speed automatic do even better (19/28/22 mpg)1.

Advantage: According to the EPA, owners of 2011 2WD V-6 Sienna models with 6-speed automatics (18 city/24 highway/20 combined mpg)1 give up 3 mpg highway and 1 mpg combined when compared to the 5-speed automatic Odyssey's more when compared to the 6-speed automatic-equipped Odyssey trim levels. Even the 4-cylinder Sienna can't match Odyssey's highway numbers, regardless of whether Odyssey is equipped with 5-speed or 6-speed automatic transmission.
More Comfortable, Functional, and Accessible Interior
As a result of its longer, lower, wider exterior, Odyssey has more legroom in every row than Sienna, including 3.3 additional inches of legroom in the second row where most passengers will ride. In addition, Odyssey offers easier access for third-row passengers than Sienna. Odyssey's improved third-row Magic Seat® stows into the floor with the ease and quickness of one motion. High-quality interior materials provide an upscale look and feel.

Advantage: In addition to providing less legroom throughout and more difficult access to the third row, the 2011 Sienna has been criticized for the quality of its interior materials. The Sienna Limited has a slow-moving power 60/40 split third-row seat that stows in the floor, adding unnecessary expense, weight, and complexity.

Any contact with the plastic panels that make up the interior of the [2011
Sienna] reveals them to be surprisingly thin, cheap and poorly held in place.
- Los Angeles Times April 29, 2010
Let the Numbers Talk

5 to 3: Odyssey provides LATCH child-seat anchors in up to five seating positions (EX and above), including three in the second row, to accommodate three child seats simultaneously (four in LX, two in the second row and two in the third row). Sienna provides LATCH child-seat anchors in only three seating positions: two outboard seats in the second row and one in the middle of the third row.

12 to 1: Odyssey?s available navigation system (optional on EX-L, standard on Touring and Touring Elite) will respond to over 1,200 voice commands, including climate control system (HVAC) adjustments. Toyota says the navigation system available on XLE and Limited trim levels will respond to ?over 100? voice commands, none of which will operate the climate control system.

1 Based on 2011 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.