Differences - 2011 Sienna vs Odyssey

[willow33]

We just test drove both this past weekend and I want to make sure I understand the differences before we make a decision. Is there a good website that compares these two cars side-by-side?

I can definitely tell a difference in how the cars drive and I know that the Sienna has the option of AWD (a plus for dh), but what are the other major differences or pros/cons?

I asked each salesperson what he thought were the differences and surprisingly they both had positive things to say about their competition. They basically said it was just a matter of how you liked the interior/exterior and how you like the way they drove.

When I did a quick google search all could find was a comparison of the 2010 Odyssey with the 2011 Sienna.

Thanks!

[BillK]

http://www.autotropolis.com/krome-on...ta-sienna.html

I've always loved the Odyssey and still sort of wish we'd have got one back in 2008 when we got my wife's Sienna - BUT - I really think Honda screwed it up royally for 2011. I just think the new Ody is BUTT ugly while the new Sienna looks great. Just my opinion.

[bubbaray]

I really did my Ody, but I have no idea WTF Honda was thinking with those new door handles. They look horrible. I just could not deal with that, ugh.

So, ITA with Bill, the new Ody is really pretty ugly. I prefer the Sienna. I also think I would have a very hard time without 4 or AWD now.

[stillplayswithbarbies]

I have an older Sienna (2004) and would never get AWD again. The gas mileage is horrible and the run-flat tires are useless. and expensive.

we don't call them run-flat tires, we call them "stuck on the side of the road without a spare"-flat tires. If that is what is offered on the AWD like it was in previous years, don't get AWD.

[smilequeen]

Originally Posted by stillplayswithbarbies

I have an older Sienna (2004) and would never get AWD again. The gas mileage is horrible and the run-flat tires are useless. and expensive.

we don't call them run-flat tires, we call them "stuck on the side of the road without a spare"-flat tires. If that is what is offered on the AWD like it was in previous years, don't get AWD.

I have similar issues with my Sienna. I do feel like the AWD is still a plus for me, but for AWD I'd rather have an SUV (but that doesn't make sense for me with #3 on the way. So I will stick it out.)

Other than that, I would agree that it's more an issue of what you like the look of and how it drives to you b/c the differences are minimal. I test drove both. I liked the way the Sienna looked and the way the Honda drove. But the AWD is a handy feature for me. The run flat tires = tow truck though as I discovered last week. Not that I could have changed to the spare much faster all by myself and I still would have had to go in for a new tire...My car insurance paid for the tow.

[lhafer]

My question is how come the Nissan Quest never gets any love??

I have a 2006 Quest and love it. They are remaking it for 2011 and I am interested to see what the interior looks like. The exterior is definitely different. I have never had one issue with my van. Just now (as in 2 days ago) a sensor went out on it and I had to make an appt with the dealership. So 4.5 years and almost 90,000 miles into owning the car and I'm having to make my first pit stop for something other than maintenance.

One thing I LOVE about my minivan is that I don't have to take the seats out of my car to fit something in it. They don't come out. The all fold flat.

http://www.nissanusa.com/microsite/q...mepage.Home.P1

I like the Sienna, but don't like the back end. I love the interior of the Honda, but don't like the exterior. It does have some cool features. But I am reading too many recalls, transmission issues, and other reliability issues to put my money down on either one just yet.

[willow33]

Originally Posted by lhafer

My question is how come the Nissan Quest never gets any love??

I have a 2006 Quest and love it. They are remaking it for 2011 and I am interested to see what the interior looks like. The exterior is definitely different. I have never had one issue with my van. Just now (as in 2 days ago) a sensor went out on it and I had to make an appt with the dealership. So 4.5 years and almost 90,000 miles into owning the car and I'm having to make my first pit stop for something other than maintenance.

I like the Sienna, but don't like the back end. I love the interior of the Honda, but don't like the exterior. It does have some cool features. But I am reading too many recalls, transmission issues, and other reliability issues to put my money down on either one just yet.

I would definitely check out the Quest if it was available now. I read that it may not be out until spring 2011 now and I don't think we can wait that long for a new car. I do like the look of the new Quest, but it's a total redesign and that always makes me nervous...same for the Odyssey this year. The other issue is resale. I'm not sure how long we will keep the minivan and want to make sure we can sell it.

[BillK]

Originally Posted by lhafer

My question is how come the Nissan Quest never gets any love??

No offense intended - to each their own and all that - but for me the looks of the Quest at the time is what kept us from even considering it. Just not my thing. Heck I'm still not even very wild about the looks of my wife's 2008 Sienna compared to the Odyssey in '08. The Quest and the Sienna were both too egg-like for me. This new Odyssey ....

[lhafer]

Originally Posted by willow33

I would definitely check out the Quest if it was available now. I read that it may not be out until spring 2011 now and I don't think we can wait that long for a new car. I do like the look of the new Quest, but it's a total redesign and that always makes me nervous...same for the Odyssey this year. The other issue is resale. I'm not sure how long we will keep the minivan and want to make sure we can sell it.

Yeah, I don't think it's coming out till spring of 2011 (I've heard March). Redesigns make me nervous as well, which is why I am waiting until the 2012 models to come out.

I will say that they seems to have fixed everything that bugs me about my current Quest (at least from what I can see from the pictures):
- the second row windows can go down
- the headrests on the 3rd row are integrated into the seat
- push start button
- they way the 3rd seats fold you are still left with storage space in the back
- split 60/40 3rd row (mine is currently a bench so it's either up or down).
- the blind spot indicator (though I don't have bad blind spots in the back)

I used to have an Altima. My minivan feels like I am driving my Altima again. I love the way it handles, it's get-up-and-go. I hear the Odyssey's handling is kind of meh.

[lhafer]

Originally Posted by BillK

No offense intended - to each their own and all that - but for me the looks of the Quest at the time is what kept us from even considering it. Just not my thing. Heck I'm still not even very wild about the looks of my wife's 2008 Sienna compared to the Odyssey in '08. The Quest and the Sienna were both too egg-like for me. This new Odyssey ....

Have you seen the new Quest? It looks like an elongated element or Scion. It's not egg shaped at all!