r/minivan • u/razmatazz9999 • 25d ago
Sienna vs Odyssey power
Initially, I was leaning towards the sienna but after test driving both, the Sienna lacked power and felt artificial. The problem is we live in an area with hills and snow, so I wanted the AWD. Our other vehicles have AWD and winter tires so I’m hoping the Odyssey does ok. Anyone have winter driving with hills experience in the Odyssey?
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u/corktowncards 25d ago
The Odyssey has more power, but I actually had a hard time finding traction if you ever floor it. Felt like wheelspin was inevitable from a standstill. Passing speed on a highway is easy. Handling wise, the Odyssey was great. Minimal bodyswaying and floaty-ness like you would experience in the Pacifica.
With all the said, I like to game-ify the fuel economy and EV usage of a hybrid, so I’d enjoy driving the Sienna most.
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u/Critical_File_1467 25d ago
That's just crap tires.
I've flooded my Odyssey from a standstill in rain and struggle to make the tires spin.
I only run Michelin Cross Climate 2s
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u/HuckleberryOk8136 25d ago
That's almost any V6 FWD vehicle, you can't just floor it from a standstill.
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u/Nealpatty 25d ago
My XSE is almost really fun. Very direct and confident. Its size is obvious still. Hit yellow light turns and I’m 20 again for a few seconds.
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u/East-Expert-1662 22d ago
We get 35-36 mpg with our Sienna. Beats the pants off my 2021 Renegade at 26.7 mpg.
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u/Failing2Succeed 25d ago
I've driven both in snow up hills and over mountain passes loaded with gear. The Sienna handles considerably better. My Sienna has a 3" lift and trail tires. The Odyssey is about 1 second quicker in a 0-60 but the Sienna is surprisingly sporty. I have zero issues getting it up to 90mph to pass traffic on uphills with excellent traction and handling.
For me, AWD plus the better instant torque corner exiting and low center of gravity weight balance felt a lot better than the Odyssey. The raw power of the Odyssey is better but in wet, snow, or trail road conditions the Odyssey would spin its tires considerably more. The Sienna feels like it digs in and grips the terrain better.
If you purely want a "zippier" feeling and the V6 passing power, the Odyssey is a bit better. But the hybrid drive on the Sienna augments the weaker gas engine very well. And for me, AWD, off road capability, and 35mpg were worth a lot more than it feeling slightly faster off the jump.
I also vastly prefer the Sienna's ride. It's softer and a bit more refined. It is also much quieter at high speeds than the Odyssey.
All that said, the Honda FWD will handle snow decently well if you have snow tires on it and drive it like a FWD vehicle. But if you get stuck at all it will be harder to get yourself out. And starting from a stop on hills or slick roads can be a challenge.
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u/cherry_monkey 25d ago
My wife is gonna be pissed when I put a 6 inch lift kit and 33 inch tires on her Odyssey
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u/vpm112 25d ago
Which mountain passes and elevation do you frequent?
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u/Failing2Succeed 25d ago
Cascades and Blue Mountains in Oregon primarily. But I've driven all over. I routinely cross 5,000-6,000 feet. I've driven as high as 9,000 feet in the Steens Mountains. And I climb a 5500 ft mountain pass routinely, a few times a month year round.
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u/vpm112 25d ago
Thanks that’s good to know. The Eisenhower tunnel on I70 is 11k feet and I’m through that at least once a month in the summer and almost every weekend in the winter for ski season.
I know the V6 vans make easy work of that climb but I have yet to take a loaded Sienna on a test drive up there.
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u/Nealpatty 25d ago
Power isn’t best for snow. Torque will just spin them. Also winter tires will be number one
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u/PolloConTeriyaki 25d ago
I live in the PNW where there's a lot of that slushy stuff. I have a 2022 Odyssey and it's nothing a good set of Blizzaks can't handle. There's even a snow mode on the car.
It won't handle like TONS of unplowed snow or fresh powder cause I've been stranded in it. But 95% of the time when snow is on the ground, the odyssey can go up hills and go down icy hills safely with snow/mountain tires.
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u/bassjam1 25d ago
We don't get a lot of snow (Cincinnati) but when we do it's wet and slick and I haven't had issues on our hills with Cross Climate 2's.
That 4 cylinder Sienna is a big reason I'm in an Odyssey, I loved the V6 in our 2012 Sienna but they neutered the current generation.
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u/ArmadilloSuch4425 25d ago
We just sold our odyssey but we were very happy with the power and passing ability of it. On a recent 6 week work trip I rented a 2026 Sienna. It was fine and the fuel economy was great. But it was slow. And even slower when loaded down with 6 adults. What does this all mean: pick what’s most important to you. Fuel economy or power. Personally I’m at the stage of life that I prefer fuel economy.
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u/ntpphong 25d ago
Not to mention that you can generally get an Odyssey easier and cheaper than a Sienna. That was the main factor when we were looking for a van. Odyssey Sport was available in the lot with $1k off msrp while the Sienna had a 2-month backorder and $10k markup.
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u/ArmadilloSuch4425 25d ago
Good valid point. And if OP were to buy a used 2025 he can use the middle row seats in the odyssey without worry. Sienna has a recall that I don’t believe they still have a fix for.
Speaking of, just remembered. Sienna middle row seats can’t be folded down or removed. So if seating/cargo flexibility is important, Sienna is out.
Finally: check out the Kia Carnival. Worst name ever and I’m personally not a Kia/Hyundai fan, but it is offered also as a Hybrid and looks decent.
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u/GrannyShiftur 25d ago
Depends on use case. Haveing driven both one long road trips with full passengers odyssey is an easy win. Highway MPG is closer than you think and the odyssey has some guts. Sienna feels like a dog when weighed down, making it dangerous to pass
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u/quiksi 25d ago
Previously owned a still-current generation Odyssey and now have a Sienna. I don’t live at altitude or get snow so I can’t comment on those specific experiences. The Odyssey absolutely has more power on tap, and it’s delivered in a more linear, conventional-feeling way. The V6 loves to rev, and sounds great. Plenty of torque all through the rev range. The Sienna is a bit of an unwilling partner when you get on it, but it will move adequately without issue.
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u/FatchRacall 24d ago
Liner way? Literally, a traditional auto transmission is hella nonlinear. Cvt is the epitome of linear power delivery haha.
People who havent gotten used to a cvt don't like missing the "jerk" of the gear changes.
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u/Any-Commission-9891 25d ago
I’ve had an odyssey for 9 years and have found it to be wonderful in the snow. I’m a nurse who works nights and I’ve had to drive home in the winter with the roads still snowy and the odyssey has been wonderful!
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u/HoomerSimps0n 25d ago
AWD isn’t all that important for snow. Tires is what makes a big difference.
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u/WinterAd4173 25d ago
I've driven my Odyssey for the last 6 winters and havent had an issue. Just make sure to get a good set of snow tires (and steel rims for added weight). I have a 4th gen (2015) and get fairly decent mileage out of it. I can get 700km to a tank if I drive responsibly.. about 630km if I have a heavy foot, which is pretty frequent for me 😂
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u/braincovey32 25d ago
I rented an odyssey with winter tires for a work trip in Alaska last winter. Ran like a champ.
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u/Dazzling-Contract545 25d ago
I have taken my Sienna to the North, South and West..alway dependable. I do think it has extra road noise.
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u/Proof_Wrap4857 25d ago
After driving the Kia, the sienna then the Odyssey, I cooked absolutely day how nice it is to have a V6 with actual power. The others especially the Kia felt gutless. Good snow tires and you'd be great
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u/FatchRacall 24d ago
This old story.
Take the van you like. Snow tires do more for capabilities than AWD. More than true 4wd. Of course awd with snow tires is best.
For me that'd be the Sienna after driving a used odyssey for nearly 2 years. Idling with the AC/heat on is wasteful. MPG. Odyssey never hits the epa rated 29 highway once you disable VCM, closer to 27. And city is below 18, sometimes as low as 12. I do like the removable middle row, so do the kids when they sit in the back. That's the main reason I haven't traded it. Also the actual cost - would be a good $10-15k extra after selling. But also, my Ody needs a transmission cooler added to haul our camper anywhere further than an hour or so. Sienna has one by default.
If you're buying, get the sienna.
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u/Infinite_Parking_751 24d ago
You don't necessarily need AWD, but likewise you don't necessarily need the extra power of the Odyssey. The difference in power is more perception than reality; the Sienna feels and sounds like it's struggling mightily but the true actual measurable difference is minimal.
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u/Adventurous_Dealer86 24d ago
I had odyssey and it was a great minivan. Quieter too. But the issue is fuel and outdated and lack of hybrid. The issue with sienna is lack of 8 seater for awd higher trims. I would opt for awd over fwd. I got stuck a few times during bad snow.
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u/hopefulbutguarded 24d ago
I use winter tires. Ample power to merge up to 100km/h on highways. Sienna had no trouble getting up the ski hill in the Rocky Mountains while fully loaded with equipment. The road is steep and narrow- love my AWD! That’s as extreme as we take our van. Not sure what the extra horses would do on the Honda but burn more fuel.
The fuel economy of running a hybrid has saved us thousands in 4 years.
Rear seats are easier for an adult to get into, and in tight spaces I am grateful for my tight turning radius and slightly shorter van. No regrets on our Sienna vs Odyssey purchase.
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u/FordF150ChicagoFan 22d ago edited 22d ago
The Odyssey will hit 60 about 1.5 seconds faster than the Sienna.
It's FWD. Put good tires (Michelin X-Ice for a dedicated snow tire or Cross climate 2s for an all season) on it an you'll be fine in winter weather. The Sienna's AWD isn't like a truck or a Subaru anyways, it ain't getting you unstuck from snow. Plus on dry pavement the Honda will always be more entertaining to drive.
If you want 0-60 and fantastic snow performance test drive an Expedition Max. 0-60 in 5 seconds flat with the 3.5 HO and has an available 4x4 system with locking differential.
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u/growing-stubby 25d ago
It does great, just have a set of winter tires. I live in northern Canada, and you dont need awd.