2020 Toyota Sienna vs. 2020 Honda Odyssey

The days of the minivan being the soulless people-mover that drivers dread graduating into are long gone. As SUVs have continued to grow in popularity, minivans have had 2 choices: evolve, or get left behind. Many have opted for the latter, and the streets of Hollidaysburg and Johnstown are seeing fewer minivans every day.

There are some that are still duking it out to help carry soccer teams, landscaping, and more across Altoona. The ones that are left are stronger than ever before, so the fight for the top of the class is a tough one. For most drivers, it comes down to one of two vehicles - the 2020 Toyota Sienna or the 2020 Honda Odyssey. So, how do they stack up?

Does the Toyota Sienna or Honda Odyssey have All-Wheel Drive?

With the snow squalls and rainstorms that can hammer Hollidaysburg and Indiana, most drivers would love to have all-wheel drive.

With the 2020 Toyota Sienna, you can get that all-wheel drive if you want it. With the exception of the base L trim, every trim of the Sienna can be equipped with AWD featuring active torque control. This system powers the front wheels until slipping is detected, then automatically moves into all-wheel drive to put power to all wheels and ensure grip. This allows the Sienna to save fuel in everyday driving by using FWD most of the time, while being ready to give you extra grip at a moment’s notice.

It’s class-exclusive, which means that no other minivan offers all-wheel drive. Not the 2020 Honda Odyssey or any of the other competitors in the segment.

Safety: Toyota Sienna vs. Honda Odyssey

You’re not getting a minivan to cruise around solo. You’re expecting to have to ferry multiple passengers, cargo, and maybe even some pets around Hollidaysburg. So, you’re lookinf for safety from the start.

Both the 2020 Toyota Sienna and the 2020 Honda Odyssey offer extensive active safety packages. They include adaptive cruise control systems, Lane Departure Alert systems with steering assist, pedestrian detection, and much more.

The major difference is that with the Toyota Sienna, you can get these features on every single trim, as well as ToyotaCare - their no-cost maintenance plan. If you want the base Honda Odyssey, you don’t even get these features offered as an option, you’ll have to splurge on the next trim level. Toyota doesn’t see any reason you should have to pay for features like tri-zone climate control just to get a little more peace of mind behind the wheel.

Interior Space: Toyota Sienna vs. Honda Odyssey

Spaciousness is key to a good minivan. Room for cargo, room for passengers, space to keep the kids separated…Hollidaysburg drivers need to be able to do it all.

Thanks to a well-designed interior, the 2020 Toyota Sienna has plenty of space and flexibility inside. Even with all three rows in place, there is room for 39.1 cubic feet of cargo behind the third row. That’s lots of coolers, sports equipment, luggage, or even the family pet in its crate.

The 2020 Honda Odyssey comes up short, offering only 32.8 cubic feet of cargo behind the third row. There’s a similar difference when you’re looking for maximum space, like to move a bed or entertainment center. While the Odyssey offers 144.9 cubic feet, the Sienna tops it by offering an even 150 cubic feet of cargo space.

Of course, cargo doesn’t generally complain or start crying when it gets bumped by a sibling. That’s where having wider, more spacious seating is an advantage. In the Sienna, third-row seats have 61.1 inches of shoulder room and 50.3 inches of hip room, whereas in the Odyssey passengers only get 60 inches and 48.4 inches, respectively. The second row tells a similar tale, with the Sienna providing 64.6 inches of should room and a whopping 66.1 inches of hip room. The Odyssey sits at 61.6 inches and 64.8 inches.

Want a tamer drive and room to hold more goods? The Sienna is the right solution.

Performance Features: Toyota Sienna vs. Honda Odyssey

You don’t expect a minivan to out-corner a sport coupe, but it’s nice to get one that is capable on the roads of Hollidaysburg. All around, the 2020 Toyota Sienna provides a more spry, responsive package than the 2020 Honda Odyssey.

For instance, while the Sienna provides a smoother ride and more stable handling than the Odyssey thanks to a longer wheelbase, it also manages to provide a tighter turning circle for when you have to maneuver in tight spots. While the Odyssey makes a 180-degree turn in 39.6 feet, the Sienna only needs 37.5 feet with FWD and 37.4 feet with AWD. That’s enough to cut a three-point turn into a two-point turn.

Want a little more go? The Sienna comes with 16 more horsepower and an extra lb-ft of toque over the Odyssey. It’s not much, but it’s good to know its there. Even better, you get more stopping power along with it, thanks to larger brake rotors on the Sienna. In Car and Driver testing, the Sienna only needed 177 feet to stop from 70 mph, compare to the 184 feet for the Odyssey. That’s the difference between a heart-pounding near-miss and a collision.