The 2020 Honda Odyssey scored a 4.6 Kelley Blue Book expert rating. That puts the Honda selection as the top choice of KBB experts. However, according to Kelly Blue Book, “the Sienna has been a frequent KBB Best Resale Value Award winner.” The Toyota Sienna also got a higher KBB consumer rating than the Honda Odyssey.

It can be hard to tell which of these popular minivans is actually better than the other. Each buyer is looking for something slightly different. Regardless of the specifics of what you are looking for in a minivan, these five things set the Toyota Sienna apart from the Honda Odyssey. Is the Sienna better than the Honda? You choose.

The KBB consumer rating

There is no denying that people love this minivan. It is a consistent seller and holds its value pretty well. Like most Toyotas, it can be driven up into those high mileages over 100k miles with routine maintenance and care.

In fact, since 1998, the consumer rating on Kelley Blue Book has never been below a 4.4. People are happy with this car. They seem to buy it expecting reliability and the Toyota Sienna delivers on this front year after year.

All-wheel drive

Until the release of the 2021 AWD Chrysler Pacifica, the Toyota Sienna was the only minivan out there with the option for all-wheel drive. For several years, this minivan has been the go-to family vehicle with an adventurous side. Equipped with an all-wheel drivetrain, the Toyota Sienna can explore off the beaten path and go where other minivans cannot.

A reliable family car with all the perks of a minivan––sliding doors and cupholders at every turn, for instance––with AWD capabilities? Sounds like the Toyota Sienna is a top contender for exciting explorations. Load up the entire crew plus all of your road trip essentials in a spacious interior with plenty of room for passengers and cargo. Time to hit the backcountry.

The full Toyota safety suite comes standard on the base model

Safety features have a large draw, especially when it comes to a traditional family car like the minivan. Toyota has long been proud to offer the highest-rated safety suite standard on all Toyota Siennas. The Honda Odyssey lacks some features from its safety suite on the base model. Honda buyers have to upgrade to enjoy the full safety package on an Odyssey.

Toyota definitely doesn’t skimp on safety. In fact, all of the 2020 Toyota Siennas come equipped with a full range of standard safety features. Though there are still some upgrades for the top-tier ToyotaCare which includes a no-cost maintenance plan with roadside assistance. This brings us to our next reason that sets the Toyota Sienna apart from the Honda Odyssey.

Toyota Sienna’s reliability game is strong

The 2019 model of the Toyota Sienna took home the 2019 Toyota — Best Resale Value: Brand, According to Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com. It has high ratings for reliability. If you are looking for a versatile and safe family car that will last as you rack up the mileage in addition to maintaining fair resale value, the Toyota Sienna is it.

They are so reliable, in fact, that I still see the early 2000’s and late 1990’s models of this awesome van on the road all the time.

The Toyota Sienna has the most powerful minivan engine

Another reason the Toyota Sienna can easily stand up to its Honda Odyssey competition is the powerful engine it boasts. The 2020 Toyota Sienna maintains its number one ranking of the minivan with the most horsepower, at 296 hp.

There’s just one engine in the 2020 Sienna, a 3.5-liter V6 making 296 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque. Respectable numbers. And they’re achieved with regular gasoline. Just one transmission as well, an 8-speed automatic.

Kelley Blue Book

The Toyota Sienna: Is it better than the Honda Odyssey?

As I’ve said before, they are both fantastic minivans. That is why they are often portrayed in a head to head battle to see which minivan will come out on top.

While KBB’s experts ranked the Honda Odyssey number one, the consumers rated the Toyota Sienna on top. Each one has a lot to offer, so it really just depends on what you are looking for in your next ––or first–– magnificent minivan.