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Minivans - Domestic or Foreign

3798 messages,  Last post on Mar 31, 2013 at 5:37 PM

You are in the Vans & Minivans Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Sienna, Dodge Caravan, Chevrolet Venture, Mazda MPV, Kia Sedona, Honda Odyssey, Chevrolet Uplander, Nissan Quest, Hyundai Entourage, Van

Messages Page 366 of 381

#3644 of 3798 Inside Line comparo of 2011 Odessey vs Sienna by yatesjo

Oct 20, 2010 (1:10 pm)

I'm surprised there have been no comments on this forum about the head-to-head comparison between the new for 2011 Ody and Sienna.
http://www.insideline.com/honda/odyssey/2011/2011-honda-odyssey-touring-elite-vs- -2011-toyota-sienna-xle-comparison-test.html
 
In an utterly predictable result, the editors gave the nod to the Odyssey because of driving quality and puzzlingly, given the large as-tested price difference, value. I say predictable because Honda still emphasizes the driver experience over the passengers and auto reviewers rarely take time to ride as a passenger. I would be curious about the reviewers' take on a Sienna SE vs a similarly equipped Odyssey.
 
I think, though, that they maybe right in picking the Honda. If I were in the market for a new van (I'm not. I'm quite happy with our 2008 Sienna, so I hope never shop this generation of vans) I would probably swing over to the Honda. First and foremost is the dreadful step down in quality and content I saw in the new Sienna- dash materials I would go out of my way to not touch, loss of true 8-passenger with a dreadfully uncomfortable substitution, loss of storage areas, poor interior fit and finish, etc. The second is it looks like Honda has improved areas I found weak- the 8th passenger seat looks a little more comfortable (where Toyota took a huge leap backward to worse than previous generation Ody), more LATCH positions (again Toyota took a step backward here), controls look better sorted, reportedly better noise damping and more space inside. The Toyota still has the better engine, but Honda has put enough effort into cutting weight that performance differences have been negated and fuel economy improved. My only complaint is the Ody still appears to be short on ground clearance, probably due to Honda's focus on the driver experience.
 
All in all, Honda moved the ball forward, Toyota sort of let it roll backwards.

#3645 of 3798 Re: Is Dodge that bad? [ateixeira] by jpf

Oct 20, 2010 (10:12 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (May 18, 2009 1:20 pm)
I own a 2006 Dodge Caravan SE. This is the most basic van; 4 cylinder engine and hand crank windows. Besides regular maintenance (oil changes, tune up, new tires, and just replaced the original battery), the only repair has been a belt tensioner in 63k miles. Front brake pads have been done once and original rotors are still on the vehicle. Rear brakes are original. I can get up to 32 mpg on the highway. Paid just under $16,000 (taxes incl.) for it when it was new. I have no complaints with Dodge.

#3646 of 3798 Re: Is Dodge that bad? [jpf] by ateixeira

Oct 21, 2010 (7:58 am)

Replying to: jpf (Oct 20, 2010 10:12 pm)
That's a great value.
 
They dropped that model and replaced it with the Dodge Journey. That's not getting the Pentastar V6, too, so it's gone upscale, but don't expect to find one for $16k any more.

#3647 of 3798 Re: Inside Line comparo of 2011 Odessey vs Sienna [yatesjo] by ateixeira

Oct 21, 2010 (8:07 am)

Replying to: yatesjo (Oct 20, 2010 1:10 pm)
I'll pre-empt this by saying that for me the 8 seats were a priority, and today's Odyssey offers a bigger/better 8th seat (middle row, center), so that would likely be my choice.
 
However...
 
That write-up is severely flawed.
 
First, if they drove an Ody priced like their Sienna, it would have come with a lesser 5 speed transmission, hurting both acceleration and fuel economy.
 
Then they missed many, many things the Sienna offers, like the Harmon Kardon stereo upgrade and auto-off headlights (heck, my 07 LE has those). In the features they also overlooked the Sienna's AWD option, a big one, plus the power folding 3rd row seats, and the laser cruise control.
 
Those are big ticket items - having an AWD option and power 3rd row folding seats is far more important than 45 extra watts (650 vs. 605 - who cares?) on the stereo or a power passenger seat (and to be honest I wonder if they got that part wrong, too).
 
Edmunds needs to re-write that article, it's very flawed.
 
Let's see them compare a similarly priced Ody EX to a Sienna SE, which is the model Toyota designed to compete with Honda. You and I agree there.
 
That plus hire a fact-checker.
 
All in all, Honda moved the ball forward, Toyota sort of let it roll backwards.
 
That I agree with.
 
Tough call, though, because unless you spend more then $40 grand you'll get a lesser powertrain in the Honda.
 
To be totally honest? I might even shop for a CPO 2010 Sienna if I were in the market today. I really want a comfortable 8th seat, and even Honda's new one, while far better than Toyota's new one, is no match for the excellent adult-sized seat in the 2004-2010 Sienna.

#3648 of 3798 We Like the 2011 Sienna Limited Best by pmcb48

Oct 21, 2010 (9:45 am)

After reading many reports on people's impressions of the 2011 Sienna and Odyssey, some strongly liking one or the other, I am left with the impression that "to each his own" is the best philosophy.
  
My wife and I both recently tested and compared the 2011 Sienna Limited vs the Oddysey Touring, and I agree with the impression that the Odyssey is more set up as a driver's car, with slightly firmer steering. However, we thought the Odyssey's interior was perceptibly less spacious and the front seats were firmer, narrower, and more uncomfortable. They would bother me on a long trip. My wife also very much liked the Sienna's reclining 2nd row seats with the footrest, and the way the center console slid backwards to make cupholders more accessible to 2nd row passengers.
  
We also liked the Sienna's styling (never have liked the Odyssey's open rear door channels). So we have a clear preference for the 2011 Sienna, and ordered one last night. For those who like the Odyssey instead, whatever fills your van,

#3649 of 3798 Re: We Like the 2011 Sienna Limited Best [pmcb48] by ateixeira

Oct 21, 2010 (9:51 am)

Replying to: pmcb48 (Oct 21, 2010 9:45 am)
I'm not sure why Honda hasn't found a way to hide those large door seams - everyone else has.
 
I prefer the styling on the Toyota as well, by a wide margin, but for me that would be a very low priority.

#3650 of 3798 Re: We Like the 2011 Sienna Limited Best [ateixeira] by thegraduate

Oct 21, 2010 (10:01 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Oct 21, 2010 9:51 am)
Because it would cut down on shoulder room by 4 inches, according to Honda.

#3651 of 3798 Re: We Like the 2011 Sienna Limited Best [thegraduate] by ateixeira

Oct 21, 2010 (10:29 am)

Replying to: thegraduate (Oct 21, 2010 10:01 am)
I will let you guess which of these has more shoulder room in the 2nd and 3rd rows....the one that hides the sliding door tracks -> Sienna.
 
Lame excuse by Honda engineers. "Sorry about the ugly design, it's so that we could offer less room!"
 
LOL

#3652 of 3798 Re: We Like the 2011 Sienna Limited Best [ateixeira] by pmcb48

Oct 21, 2010 (10:42 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Oct 21, 2010 9:51 am)
I don't think styling should ever be a "very low priority." I may need to buy a tank, but given everything else being hopefully relatively equal, I'm going to pick the better-looking tank.

#3653 of 3798 Re: We Like the 2011 Sienna Limited Best [pmcb48] by ateixeira

Oct 21, 2010 (11:00 am)

Replying to: pmcb48 (Oct 21, 2010 10:42 am)
I don't ignore it totally, but these things are more important to me:
 
* interior comfort
* quietness
* ride
* powertrain performance
* fuel economy
* cargo space
* number of cup holders
 
Just kidding on that last one. Sort of.

Messages Page 366 of 381

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