2018 Honda Odyssey vs 2018 Toyota Sienna Comparison

2018 Honda Odyssey vs 2018 Toyota Sienna

Serving Hamilton, Trenton, and West Windsor, NJ

For maximizing passenger space, providing a heightened level of safety, and optimizing the ability to haul as much cargo as possible, minivans are the ideal vehicle class to go to. Two of the first modern minivans are the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna, which debuted in 1995 and 1998, respectively. The 2018 model year is special to the Odyssey, since it's when it kicked off its fifth generation of production. As for the Sienna, it is content with receiving mild changes, as it enters its eighth model year for the nameplate's third generation. Both minivans are closely matched; However, it's the Odyssey that pulls ahead, as it continues its reign as the top minivan available.

Comfort and Seating

More so than the 2018 Toyota Sienna, automotive writers praise the 2018 Honda Odyssey for the way it accommodates its occupants. Most of the credit is showered on the Magic Slide? second-row seats?named so because they can be adjusted laterally, backward, and forward in five different positions. The existence of Magic Slide? makes it much easier to install child car seats for much younger passengers, access the seats behind the second row (i.e., the third row), or find a good position for the kids. Family-friendliness is a major characteristic of the minivan, and on the Honda Odyssey, such a characteristic is amplified.

Transmission

In 2017, Toyota replaced the 6-speed automatic transmission on the Sienna with an 8-speed auto, and that carries over into the 2018 model year. With the additional gears, there is lessened shift shock and reduced energy when that occurs. As a result, driving is smoother and more fuel-efficient than ever before. However, the 2018 Sienna is upended by its Honda counterpart, which debuts a 10-speed automatic transmission. That's two more gears than what the Sienna minivan comes with, which in turn, creates an even smoother driving experience.

Safety

The 2018 Honda Odyssey has high safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The organization declares the 2018 Odyssey with Honda Sensing a "Top Safety Pick+" vehicle, which is its highest designation.* That's because the Odyssey with Honda Sensing scored the best possible rating ("Good") on all five of the IIHS crashworthiness tests*, scored the best possible rating ("Superior") in front crash prevention, and got an "Acceptable" rating in the effectiveness of its headlight illumination. The Toyota Sienna is not singled out for exceptional safety test performance. In fact, in the Small Overlap Front crashworthiness test?which measures the damage or likeliness of injury when either front corner of the vehicle collides with another vehicle or an object like a tree or utility pole?the driver's side is rated "Acceptable" (a notch below the "Good" rating) and the passenger side has no rating at all. Also, the Sienna gets an "Advanced" rating (again, a notch below "Superior") in front crash prevention.

Ready to try out the 2018 Honda Odyssey? At our dealership in Hamilton Township, New Jersey, we are proud of our special attention to customer service that makes your satisfaction our top priority. Call us today to set up an appointment with one of our staff.

* More information on IIHS safety ratings can be found at http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/honda/odyssey-minivan/2018

** Based on ​2018 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your MPG and driving range will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, and other factors. For additional information about EPA ratings, visit https://www.fueleconomy.gov.

*** While every reasonable effort is made to ensure the accuracy of this information, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions contained on these pages. Please verify any information in question with Hamilton Honda by calling us at 877-472-5578 or by visiting us at our NJ Honda Dealership at 655 US Hwy 130 in Hamilton, NJ.