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Comments
This should lead to the Edmunds, click on Trunk/Cargo and notice the photo that shows the 3rd row seats in the forward position. Even when the seats are put upright there still remains a "well". You could also view the link at Honda for a photo of the cargo area. Unfortunately, some photos are taken with a charcoal/black interior which makes it impossible to view.
http://automobiles.honda.com/models/interior_gallery.asp?ModelName=Odyssey
I don't know if Toyota made a change in the '07 as we weren't in the market for a minivan at that time. I wonder what the '08 will look like with both manufacturers since CR's current issue has reviewed the Sienna again.
2002 offered:
30 more horsepower
5-speed auto (vs. 4-speed in 2001)
New taillights
New front grill
Addition of optional DVD player
Addition of optional leather
That sort of thing. Not life-changing, but maybe worthwhile to wait.
The 07 Sienna just got here early this year, with the new 3.5l engine. I don't think we'll see an 08 until December or so.
What? A car model-year arriving at THE NEW YEAR? Propsterous!
We're going out to test drive the Sienna today and I'll be checking the passenger seat comfort, visibility behind the wheel etc. My husband seems to feel that, if it works for me it'll be great for him.
New question: Since we have family who lives in the foothills at 4500 ft. and at the holidays years ago we had to leave our '83 Crown Victoria in town and have our daughter take us and gifts in her SUV up the hill, would we be wise to add AWD to our wish list? Our excursions in the future could be 8-11,000 ft. IF we remain as active as we hope.
Really? Even with the infintely adjustable steering wheel (it tilts up and down and telescopes in and out) and infintely adjustable 8-way seat, you STILL couldn't see the instrument panel? I am 6'4" and 19 years old and drive my great aunt's (she is 5'3" and 67 years old) 2005 Odyssey (which happens not to have the telescope feature that was added in 2007) and we both can adjust to see the instruments perfectly. Did you not adjust the steering wheel and seat? May I ask how tall you are? I'm not giving you the third degree, I just would think that the Odyssey could be adjusted for your comfort.
The Odyssey may not be comfortable in the end, but I'd hate for you to cross a vehicle off of your list because of an adjustment that could have been made that nobody told you about.
I have been following this forum for about few months now and decided to join just now. Anyway, I know that some of the Ody owners will probably interested in this story that my friend told me. And there was an accident about two weeks ago involving a van with 5 teenagers on a joy ride(some witness, said that they go up & down the highway), cruising at about 180-190kph(111mph)as per what the police found out and lost control, rolled over a few times and skidded a few meters away before resting into a stop on the side of the highway. Local police said that it was a horrific accident and they were very suprised that ALL 5 Occupants were alive but was seriously injured as they (Police) were looking at the unbelievable damage caused on the vehicle and. The most serious injury was one of the passenger that had his face dragged on the pavement while the van was skidding. The Police said that by the looks of the wreckage, they wouldn't think that there will be any survivors, and also said that they maybe out of their sanity while doing high speed but at least they were all wearing seatbelts, that helped save their lives.
One of the officers even quoted saying "If I will buy a van, definitely will be the Odyssey".
I could also put two car seats in the 3rd row and one in the second row and using the tumbling feature for the kids to get access and have enough room to buckle them in. Thoughts?
Thanks.
One thing you can do is move the center seat forward a bit, expanding shoulder room for everybody. You could also put the youngest child in the middle and have them closer to you.
You do give up captain's chairs on the outsides, though.
Edit - better pic of the Sienna:
The Ody sort of gets a "bridge" between the seats, but it's not really an individual seat. Works in a pinch, but not as well as the Sienna's purpose built middle seat.
Can't comment on the folding action, maybe others here can help.
Basically I think the Ody is better for 2, the Sienna is better for 3 passengers in the middle row.
In those situations, the easiest way to enter is to fold down 1 of the back seat sections (if you can
my little angels prefer entering our '03 through the hatch and over the back seat and head-rests.
You could slide the 2 middle seats together as a bench, leaving a clear path to the smallish 3rd row, or seperate them. Plus they were true captain's chairs.
That was the most convenient seating I've seen in a van. Too bad they didn't invest and update that vehicle.
With the MPV's side-by-slide you just pull a lever and slide it over, no lifting.
Nice thing about that is you don't have to move a child safety seat. In fact you can slide the chair to any position even while you're sitting in the chair! :shades:
An idea worth copying, IMO.
To be honest, I think the Honda seat that can be in one of two positions, you'd pull a level tilt it forward and then push it over to the other position. I don't think you'd have to lift the seat out to move it... just disengage the latches on the back of the seat and rock forward. Would require a bit of effort.
If you had a child's seat that had the 3-pt harness, then you could be good to go. Otherwise, if you're using the shoulder strap, probably not.
A few features of the MPV I liked (a lot), even though we went with the Honda: great visability out the front, nice turning radius, appropriate amount of road feedback/steering effort. Its handling was more like what I was used to in prior vehicles owned: VW Rabbit, ">Jetta, Mazda 323, Honda Accord.
Mazda did update and invest in the MPV. Unfortunately, it is not being sold in the United States. It looks pretty good too. Has dual reclining second row captain chairs, 248 hp turbocharged engine, etc etc
feliciatwo
Toyota's engine is bigger than their own old one, but it's about the same as Honda's now.
Also, you're comparing a brand new Sienna to a 5 year old Odyssey. I certainly hope it's better.
By the same token however, my ex-girlfriend's 2004 Corolla had more problems (warped steering column, loose ignition that required replacement - all before 30k miles) and rattles (sunroof/dome light area in particular)than the Odyssey did, so Toyota's have their own issues too.
Both Odyssey and Sienna overwhelmingly nice vehicles for the price. They are just the difference in French Vanilla and Vanilla Bean. One's a little more smooth, one's a little more flavorful. Both are very good.
thanks for your input
. Let's start off with.
1. Bigger Engine 266hp
2. 3rd row windows that open
3. 3rd row back seats that are powered or
you can fold them for tailgating
4. Day time running lights
5. Signal side mirrors with auto dimming drivers side
6. Xenon Headlights
7. Bluetooth
8. Auto express moonroof opens and closes with just one
touch
9. 10 speaker high performance JBL sound system
10. Power passenger seat
11. Larger interior except 3rd row according to Edmunds
12. I forgot to mention puddle lamps on
your side mirrors
13. 2 in glass antennas
14. 2 115v power outlets
15. Battery saver feature
16. MP3/WMA built in the stereo
17. Toilet Bowles built into all the seats for long journeys. "JUST KIDDING"!!!!
Time for a family car, so we naturally decided to try out the two segment leaders in the minivan segment. That led us to a Honda and a Toyota dealer. Honda came first.
Hersons Honda had a tent event outside and was passing out free hot dogs, so we were glad the kids were along and had a quick lunch there. Then we met a surprisingly low-pressure salesman who was very helpful in answering my specific questions and showing us some of the detailed features on the loaded EX-L model we test drove.
We actually sat in an LX model first, outside, under the tent. The whole family really liked the plush, velvetty fabric on the seats. The model doesn't offer the 8th seat, or the power sliding doors, and a few other things high on our priority list, but the seats were great.
They pulled up the EX-L NAV RES and we immediately fell in love with the power sliding doors. Touch two buttons and both kids piled in just like that. Plus you can close them from the driver's seat. I think all day long, this simple feature was what we liked most.
I went to program the NAV, and it wasn't quite as intuitive as I expected. I'd heard great things about Honda's GPS systems, but this required use of buttons and touchscreen controls, and I'm used to touchscreen only. The voice was soothing and it re-calculated directions when I intentionally drove a different path effortlessly.
The screen also serves as a backup cam. I thought I would love it. Nope. Found that visibility was pretty good already, and I looked back to back up anyway. In fact I did not use the backup screen at all. That was a surprise. It would help to line up a trailer, sure, but it's not at all essential for basic parking and backing up.
The leather seats were a bit hard, 3 out of 4 of us found them *less* comfortable than the LX' cloth. That was a bummer. The driver's seat also had a lump in the lumbar support, even at the lowest setting. I was simply not comfortable in that seat, so right there I decided that would not be the model I got even if we did choose an Odyssey.
It drove well, riding far better than the Pilot, as I recall it, and handling decently for all its size and mass. I did sense some torque steer, but I wouldn't be driving a minivan in that manner, so I think here it's acceptable.
The engine was fine, and VCM was unnoticeable, doing its job quietly. Steering is Honda standard, i.e. way overboosted and a bit numb compared to what I'm used to. To be fair, I'm used to smaller, sportier vehicles.
The kids saw the DVD movie player, and that deal was sealed. We will get one, regardless, even if we have to go aftermarket. They loved it.
The middle of the 2nd row is not very comfy. It's a seat for use in a pinch, not for a long trip. The armrests become the backrest, and it's just not wide enough for an adult. OK only in a pinch.
I really wanted better seats, though, so we then asked to check out a regular EX model, with cloth seats. I was disappointed to find cheap looking mouse-fur style cloth. I have no idea why they put plush velvet in the LX, and recycled peach fuzz in the EX. At least the seats were better than the leather in the EX-L, and the lumbar support did not bother me with the cloth. Odd, but the cheaper the van, the more I liked the seats.
Still, even though the fabric was a bit cheesy, we still left the dealership thinking the EX model was the best compromise for us. I say compromise because you can't get NAV or the RES with that model - you have to get the hard leather.
Internet price quotes run in the mid $26k range. Not too bad, but I'd need to add the DVD movie player and a portable NAV system, so with tax and those two things we're getting close to $30k.
It was informative and useful to drive it, because we established a benchmark for Toyota to beat.
The name is a handful, and so is understanding the option packages. Toyota hired puzzle experts to come up with their packages, and compromises galore in picking the one for you.
We decided to drive the closest to the Honda van that we liked, so that meant an LE model with package 3. That package adds stability control (shamelessly still not standard), rear disc brakes, and the much-desired 2nd power sliding door. It matches up pretty closely to the Odyssey EX, each model offering a couple of very minor items the other doesn't have. Close enough.
In terms of comfort, the Sienna wins. The cloth is very plush, equal to the Odyssey LX, and all four of us liked it. That plus the 8th seat is a REAL seat, not a "bridge" to use in a pinch. Wide enough that I was able to sit in it for a quick ride to the gas station (the salesman drove). The kids made it clear they preferred the Toyota, probably with taking a friend along in mind.
I then took over and liked the driver's seat, too. No issue with lumpy lumbar support, though the seat could be juuust a bit firmer and/or offer more side support.
The ride is a bit smoother and noticeably more quiet than the Ody, except when you step in to the new 3.5l engine, which is seriously impressive. It's a hot rod engine in a tame car, and easily outguns the Honda. Fuel economy is also better at this equipment level, because the Honda doesn't offer VCM at this price.
Handling is not as tight as the Honda, a bit more body roll, and it just doesn't encourage you to drive quickly. Acceptable, harmless, sure, but a bit of a compromise. Noone will be asking for the keys to drive, put it that way.
Price (street prices as of 5/22 in the DC area) was better than the Honda, too, by several hundred dollars. Lower price, better gas mileage (at this content level), better seating, all it needs is a better suspension and this would be a complete no-brainer.
The catch is it fails to instill any passion at all. I would drive it, sure, but because I had to, not because I wanted to. So for me, it's time to sit back and think about this compromise.
And that's not the only one, back to those packages...you can add a movie player for the back seat, but you either give up the 2nd power sliding door (why?) or the stability control option (WHY?).
I'm sorry but that is just OBTUSE.
Why, oh why, Toyota, would a family with enough kids to want a movie player not want a key safety feature?
Either that, or give up our favorite feature, i.e. the power door on one of the sides. It simply makes no sense.
So again, we would compromise, and get the model we drove, then add an aftermarket movie player and a portable NAV. This would come in a little more than a grand cheaper than the Honda, and call me unselfish, but I think it's enough to conclude, at this price, with this equipment level, Sienna > Odyssey.
I wonder, though, how many people buy a Honda just because they get upset at the way Toyota packages its options.
I'm still trying to convince my wife to at least TRY an Entourage. Hyundai offers heated cloth seats, a DVD player, and everything except NAV for a lot less than either. So in terms of price and packaging it wins, hands down.
I do have concerns about high speed shimmies Edmunds members report here, however.
The verdict is still out. I have not yet found a choice that is compelling enough to make me buy one now. I'm hoping an Entourage changes my mind. Else I'll shift gears and look at a few more SUVs, including the 08 Tribeca.
One idea - I know around here you can get a decent portable DVD player for the kids at Circuit City or Best Buy for like $200 or less, would that help make the decision easier? Plus then you can use it other places besides the van.
My wife and I went with the Odyssey EX and we're hoping to stay old school and get our son (currently 2 and a half) to read books in the van. We'll see how long we can hold out on that...
Steve
I use an old laptop now, 10" screen, but the kids want something easier to use so we don't have to hide it each time we leave the car.
Portable ones are dirt cheap, but I already have that type of solution.
Costco had a 10" for $700 installed, as did Best Buy. I'm going to research them a bit because I want to be able to get replacement headphones easily (I imagine they'll last a week with my kids).
Even built-in, I could go roof mounted, or headrest mounted. The headrest ones are closer to and directly in front of the kids.
A Tribeca owner had a seriously cool one with a THIRD screen for the front passenger, from where you would also control the video. $1700 I recall, but that's for all 3 screens. A bit steep, so I dunno.
I'm a big fan of the aftermarket, so I won't be afraid at all to take advantage of them to accessorize. In fact I'm known for it.
For the better, in this case. Last year's LE package 3 only had one power sliding door. Now the package has power sliding doors on both sides.
To us that was a big deal, because that was our favorite "gadget". We'll use that more than any DVD player, that's for sure. In fact we'll use both sides twice for every drive we take, getting in and getting out. For car pooling, even better.
To me that made it worth the wait to look at an 07.
BUY THE TOYOTA!
1. Does the Sienna offer both bluetooth and ipod integration? If so, in what model year was each feature offered? I am looking at 2005 and 2006 model years.
2. Same questions for the Odyssey. However, I don't think either option is offered on the Odyssey.
Thanks.
What? overboosted?
Not a Honda. More than likely, there was an issue with the vehicle you drove, perhaps the tires were over-inflated.
One thing Honda consistently does well is provide decent feedback in suspension and steering areas. It's a driver's mini-van. If you are used to sportier vehicles, then the transition to a Honda Odyssey would be easier for you than the other makes out there.
You're observation doesn't fit with that of others.
I was comparing the steering boost to cars I'm used to, not really to other vans. The Ody was the first van I drove, so take it FWIW.
After the Ody I drove a Sienna LE, and that model has an aux input jack to the right of the 6CD changer. I'm not sure if you can control an iPod from the stereo controls, but it will play music from your iPod, for sure.
That same 6CD changer (std. on the LE) also plays MP3s.
I sort of disagree with gotoyota - I felt the materials in both were on par with each other. The Ody I drove had very slightly better fit and finish, while the Sienna had more soft surfaces. I'd call it a draw.