Compare the 2012 Honda Odyssey EX-L to the 2012 Toyota Sienna XLE and see why the Odyssey leads with true advantages and owner benefits, making it the best choice for minivan shoppers.
Safety:
The Odyssey was recently named a TOP SAFETY PICK from IIHS, the institute’s highest safety rating. The rating recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting vehicle occupants involved in front, side and rear crashes, plus rollover performance based on ratings in IIHS tests, as well as having a standard electronic stability control system.
- The 2012 Odyssey earned a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned a 5-Star Overall Frontal Crash Safety Rating, a 5-Star Overall Side Crash Safety Rating, a 5-Star Overall Side Barrier Crash Safety Rating, a 5-Star Side Pole Crash Safety Rating, and a 4-Star Rollover Safety Rating (12.7% risk of rollover).
- The 2012 Toyota Sienna (FWD) earned a 4-Star Overall Vehicle Score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned a 4-Star Overall Frontal Crash Safety Rating, a 4-Star Overall Side Crash Safety Rating, a 5-Star Overall Side Barrier Crash Safety Rating, a 5-Star Side Pole Crash Safety Rating, and a 4-Star Rollover Safety Rating (14.0% risk of rollover).
- The 2012 Sienna is also an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK.
Driving character:
Odyssey’s sporty driving character is epitomized by its fully independent rear suspension. Sienna offers “typical” minivan fare with a semi-independent torsion beam rear suspension.
In its review of the 2012 Honda Odyssey, USNews.com notes, “Reviewers love the 2012 Honda Odyssey for its performance, calling it the best-driving minivan you can buy today. Engine power is good and handling is even a touch sporty, which is a rare thing in this class.”
Comfort & Versatility:
- While both mini-vans offer seating up to 8, the Odyssey clearly offers more room to stretch out in all three rows of seats, including 3.3 inches more legroom in the second row and 6.1 inches more legroom in the third row. This improves access to the second and third rows as well as long-trip comfort for families with older children.
- The 3rd-Row Magic Seat is clearly a winner with our Odyssey owners offering more head room, more comfortable and easier to stow away.
Economy:
Odyssey has better EPA-rated highway fuel economy. Odyssey’s variable Cylinder Management (VCM) allows for exceptional power and fuel economy, contributing to Odyssey’s two-mpg highway fuel economy advantage over Sienna.
By coupling Odyssey’s highway fuel economy advantage with its larger fuel tank, Honda has maximized the distance families can travel between fill-ups compared to the Sienna.
Convenient Family Friendly Features:
- Odyssey’s second row includes a LATCH-capable multi-function center seat (EX trim and above) that can slide forward more than 5.5 inches to allow easier access to a small child seated in it.
- Second-row seating comes equipped with a lateral slide lever that operates a seating position called “wide mode,” in which the outboard seats can slide 1.5 inches to each side to allow up to 3 child seats or more “personal space” for older siblings.
- Storage spaces abound throughout Odyssey’s interior
Long-term Value:
The Odyssey retains more of its initial value during the ownership cycle.
- ALG estimates that the 2012 Odyssey EX-L will maintain a 55% residual after 36 monhts and 41% after 60 months.
- ALG estimates the 2012 Toyota Sienna XLE FWD residuals significantly lower at 50% and 37% respectively.
“The 2012 Honda Odyssey starts at a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of around $29,000 and can top $44,000 when fully loaded. Yes, it’s among the priciest minivans out there, but its class-leading residual values help offset the premium commanded by this long-running favorite.” – Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com Best Resale Value Award Winner
Learn more about the 2012 Honda Odyssey – Features, brochure, prices and selection
