2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, with its decade-old styling theme, received subtle updates to modernize its appearance. The new model year introduced a refreshed grille and front bumper, standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation across all trims, and a gloss black spear with a chrome insert stretching across the taillights. The Touring trim debuted a new 19-inch wheel design, enhancing the minivan's aesthetic appeal. These modifications aimed to reduce brightwork and give the Odyssey a more contemporary look. The interior saw improvements with new perforated leather upholstery, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting in the Touring trim, elevating the minivan's luxury feel. The Odyssey's design updates, combined with its handsome alloy wheels and toned-down chrome, brought it closer to being the Acura of minivans.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid aimed to redefine minivan styling with a more SUV-like appearance. Its wide grille emphasized the vehicle's width, while sleek LED headlamp arrays integrated into a panel with the Toyota logo added a modern touch. The redesigned sliding side doors featured a sculpted look with a body line that swooped up from the rocker panels, creating an assertive stance. Alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 20 inches, depending on the trim, filled the arches with bright, metallic, and dark finishes. The Sienna's interior focused on width with horizontal lines, offering a higher seating position than a sedan but not quite the command seating of an SUV. The dashboard was simple and uncluttered, with controls clustered on the centre stack. The centre console featured a bridge design, providing ample storage space and a smart tray for a handbag. The Sienna's interior materials and surfaces exuded quality, making it a comfortable and functional family vehicle.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, delivering 280 horsepower to the front wheels. This drivetrain, unchanged from the previous year, offered smooth and effortless power, with driving modes including Normal, Sport, Eco, and Snow. The Odyssey's variable cylinder management technology helped conserve fuel, with an average consumption of 10.8 litres per 100 kilometres during testing. However, the lack of all-wheel drive (AWD) put the Odyssey at a disadvantage in snowy Canadian conditions. The new electronic brake booster improved brake pedal feel and response, enhancing the adaptive cruise control's low-speed following capability. While the Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, the brakes struggled under heavy use, particularly during a heatwave, indicating a need for a braking component upgrade.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid marked Toyota's first hybrid minivan, featuring a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, producing a combined 243 horsepower. The Sienna offered both front-wheel drive (FWD) and AWD options, with the latter using a separate electric motor for the rear wheels. The electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) provided smooth power delivery, though it lacked the punch of a conventional transmission. The Sienna's handling improved significantly with new suspension and steering systems, offering minimal body roll and a comfortable ride. Fuel efficiency was a highlight, with FWD models rated at 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving and 6.5 on the highway, while AWD models achieved 6.8 city and 6.6 highway.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered a well-designed interior with legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, standard in all but the base trim, provided comfort with adjustable armrests. Heated front seats and outboard mirrors were standard in Canada, with additional features like a heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats available in higher trims. The Odyssey's Magic Slide second-row seat layout allowed for versatile seating configurations, while the third-row seats accommodated both children and adults comfortably. Cargo space was generous, with 929 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,452 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 3,984 litres. However, removing the second-row seats to access maximum cargo volume was cumbersome.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna excelled in convenience and functionality, with a standard third-row 60/40-split bench that easily stored away. The second row slid up to 63.5 centimetres, providing flexible legroom and easy access to the third row. The cabin featured 16 cupholders and ample storage cubbies, with power-operated sliding doors and a rear liftgate responding to kick motions. The Sienna's cargo capacity was impressive, accommodating a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. Cargo measurements included 949 litres behind the third row, 2,129 litres behind the second row, and 2,860 litres behind the first row. The hybrid battery was cleverly tucked under the front seats, preserving cargo space.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and more. Higher trims added navigation, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk PA system. The Touring trim offered an 11-speaker premium audio system, wireless smartphone charging, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray player, and wireless headphones, though it lacked a touchscreen interface.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna boasted a nine-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and available SiriusXM. Connectivity features included Safety Connect, Remote Connect, and Service Connect. Higher trims offered Qi-compatible charging, a 1500-watt inverter, and a Premium Audio + JBL package with 12 speakers. The rear-seat entertainment system featured an 11.6-inch display, remote, and wireless headphones. The driver enjoyed a colour multi-information display, digital rearview mirror, and remote keyless entry with push-button start.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with standard Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, though the adaptive cruise control's braking could be smoother. Blind-spot monitoring was available on higher trims.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, pre-collision system, and more. The Sienna also included the Star Safety System, blind-spot monitoring, and 10 airbags. It received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a Five-Star Overall Rating from NHTSA.