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SUVs have driven minivans to near-extinction. One of the last options is the Toyota Sienna, with a 245-hp hybrid powertrain, 6.4 inches of ground clearance, and room for seven or eight passengers. So despite SUVs’ dominance, this minivan is still a sensible family hauler. But how does it fare against its biggest rival? Here are three reasons to pick the 2022 Toyota Sienna over the 2022 Honda Odyssey.

1. The 2022 Toyota Sienna comes standard with a hybrid powertrain

2022 Toyota Sienna 2022 Honda Odyssey
2022 Toyota Sienna Limited AWD | Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

As gas prices remain high, fuel economy has never been more critical. That’s also why more car buyers are opting for electrified vehicles over their gas-powered counterparts. So it’s great that the 2022 Toyota Sienna comes standard with a 2.5-liter hybrid engine.

The Sienna can drive on all-electric power under 20 mph. However, it’ll likely use more fuel if you have a heavy foot. Nevertheless, this is bound to be handy in high-traffic situations like city driving.

The 2022 Sienna gets an EPA-estimated 36 mpg, and Consumer Reports testing revealed similar figures. Additionally, CR noted that mileage puts the Sienna ahead of the minivan pack.

As for the Honda Odyssey, it comes with a 3.5-liter V6, but there’s no hybrid option, MotorTrend reports. That explains why its fuel economy is only 22 mpg. Thankfully for the Odyssey, it still offers better fuel economy than the 2022 Kia Carnival and 2022 Chrysler Pacifica, two other minivan contenders.

2. The 2022 Toyota Sienna can hold more passengers than the 2022 Honda Odyssey

2022 Toyota Sienna buyers get the option of an eighth seat, while the Honda Odyssey can fit only seven. For those with smaller families, the seating will unlikely sway their decision. However, the optional extra seat in the Sienna can make all the difference for larger families.

However, it’s worth noting that the Sienna’s third-row seating is a little cramped for headroom and best suited for kids. According to Consumer Reports, the Odyssey’s third-row seats offer decent room but are too close to the floor for comfort.

Also notable is that even with eight-passenger seating, getting into Sienna’s third row isn’t tricky. In contrast, Consumer Reports says accessing the third row in the Odyssey is a multi-step process. It involves removing the middle seat and sliding one other seat out of the way.

3. The Toyota minivan offers all-wheel drive  

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In addition, 2022 Toyota Sienna buyers can choose front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. AWD is available for all trims, including the base-model LE. But expect about a $2,000 price difference between the AWD and FWD options. Also, the Sienna has a continuously variable transmission.

On the other hand, the 2022 Honda Odyssey comes with a 10-speed shiftable automatic transmission with its V6. However, there’s no AWD option even in the highest trims; therefore, drivers might miss out on a few benefits.

One of those perks is that AWD vehicles offer better traction. It makes them better on slippery surfaces. Consequently, the Toyota Sienna XSE AWD and other AWD trims don’t seem to have much trouble on the road when it snows.

However, the Honda Odyssey has a powerful engine, producing 35 hp more than the Sienna. Consequently, even with the traction advantage, the Sienna took 0.1 seconds longer to accelerate to 60 mph in Consumer Reports testing. Nevertheless, its 8.2-second acceleration is still competitive.

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