Trims

LX

This base trim has an assortment of deluxe amenities that consist of automatic-off LED headlights, push-button ignition, ambient console lighting, a multi-angle rearview camera with guidelines, a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, and a one-motion 60/40-split third-row Magic Seat. In terms of comfort, the LX comes with automatic climate control and power-adjustable front seats. It even gets a nice variety of technology with its 5-inch color LCD screen, seven-speaker audio system, and Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming capability. All occupants can feel safe and secure on the road too, thanks to the Honda Sensing suite of driver aids, which contains forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking, road departure mitigation, and lane departure warning. Other advanced safety features include lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, traffic sign recognition, automatic high beams, and a rear seat reminder.

EX

The EX ups the ante with its enhanced automatic-on/off LED headlights, LED fog lights, and heated side mirrors with turn-signal indicators, plus power-sliding rear doors and proximity keyless entry. Inside, the EX offers extra comfort customization with tri-zone automatic climate control, and its rearview camera is improved with dynamic guidelines. There are also standard second-row sunshades, Magic Slide second-row seats with armrests and a walk-in feature, a multi-functional second-row center seat, additional power adjustments for the driver’s seat, and heated front seats. The EX upgrades its infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, HD radio, and hands-free text messaging. Also of note, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert round out the assembly of safety features.

EX-L

The EX-L appoints some higher-end features, like side mirrors with memory and reverse tilt-down capability, a sound-absorbing windshield, a moonroof, a power tailgate, a HomeLink universal garage door opener, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. To top it off, the EX-L’s driver’s seat is set up with position memory.

Touring

This trim gets its name because it’s well stocked with extra features for comfortable and safe extended trips, highlighted by an in-car PA system known as CabinTalk, plus a CabinWatch rear-seat monitor. It also has front and rear parking sensors, third-row sunshades, and blue ambient interior lighting. A rear-seat Blu-Ray entertainment system with a 10.2-inch high-resolution screen will entertain passengers behind the front row, and the infotainment system is bolstered with navigation, voice recognition, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Elite

The Elite is the most luxurious trim in the Odyssey pack. It tops the range with power-folding and auto-dimming side mirrors, sound-absorbing glass all around, a hands-free liftgate, rain-sensing wipers, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, instrument panel ambient lighting, an 11-speaker sound system with multi-zone audio, and a wireless smartphone charger.

Desirable Features

The LX comes with auto-off LED headlights, rear privacy glass, keyless entry, push-button ignition, automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats, a multi-angle rearview camera with guidelines, and a one-motion 60/40-split third-row Magic Seat. The EX adds auto-on/off headlights, LED fog lights, heated side mirrors with turn-signal indicators, power-operated doors, Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto Lock, heated front seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, a multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines, and Magic Slide second-row seats with a convenient walk-in feature.

The EX-L gets a sunroof, memory functions for the side mirrors and driver’s seat, a power tailgate, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and first- and second-row leather seats. The Touring has an in-car PA system, ambient interior lighting, a rear entertainment system with a 10.2-inch screen, and an HDMI interface. The Elite furnishes auto-dimming side mirrors, a hands-free liftgate, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a wireless smartphone charger.

Safety and Technology

Every trim has the Honda Sensing system of advanced driver aids. It includes collision mitigation braking, road departure mitigation, forward collision warning, and lane departure warning. All also get adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, lane keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, automatic high beams, and a rear seat reminder. The EX and following trims have a blind-spot information system with a cross-traffic monitor, and the Touring and Elite are equipped with front and rear parking sensors.

The LX has a 5-inch central LCD screen, a seven-speaker audio system, and Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming. The EX gains an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, HD radio, and HondaLink remote services. The Touring gets an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot, and the Elite is set up with a top-end 11-speaker sound system.

Odyssey vs. The Competition

Let’s face it: if you have a large family to ferry around, you can’t make a better choice than a minivan. Years ago this vehicle class was all about functionality and space with not a thought given to looking cool, but the minivans of today have come a long way. They have a sportier appearance, better fuel economy, and at least as many features as your average SUV. But one advantage of a minivan over a three-row SUV is better accessibility to the back rows of seating: the wide-opening sliding doors make it much easier to get little ones into and out of their child seats, and passengers with lower mobility are less challenged as well.

One of the most cherished models in this class is the 2022 Honda Odyssey. It’s popular with all kinds of families and anyone else who wants ample space with an emphasis on comfort and accessibility. But the similarly venerable 2022 Toyota Sienna demands respect as a competitor. Let’s look at how the two kings of the minivan realm stack up against each other.

Pricing and Standard Amenities

While these rivals aren’t that far off from one another in price, the Honda Odyssey’s starting MSRP of $33,040 is slightly less than the Sienna’s base MSRP of $34,710. Even when you compare the respective loaded trim levels – like the $48,770 Odyssey Elite with the $50,150 Sienna Platinum – Honda’s hauler has a distinct advantage since it’s not only cheaper, but also packed with superior features. For instance, the Odyssey Elite comes with Honda’s versatile Magic Slide second-row seat, which has the unique ability to be adjusted from side-to-side for easier access to the third row. It also gets a standard hands-free liftgate, a security-enhancing auto-locking feature, a rear-cabin monitoring system (CabinWatch), and a 10.2-inch rear entertainment system that’s proves itself essential on extended road trips.

While the Sienna Platinum has keyless entry, Toyota has no feature similar to Honda’s convenient walk-away auto locking, which is a lifesaver when your hands are full. Nor can it be ordered with anything similar to Honda’s Magic Seat or CabinWatch monitoring system. And, while a hands-free liftgate and a rear entertainment system are available, they will cost extra. Additionally, while the Odyssey Elite and Sienna Platinum share many similarly fancy features, like rain-sensing wipers, a heated steering wheel, and numerous active driver-assist technologies, keep in mind that the Odyssey Elite is cheaper than the Sienna Platinum by about $1,000.

Powertrain and Cargo Space

The Odyssey’s 280-horsepower V6 engine is more powerful than the Sienna’s sole powertrain, a hybrid system that makes 245 hp. Not only that, but the Odyssey gets a 10-speed automatic transmission, while the Sienna has a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Traditional geared transmissions are generally preferred over CVTs for their smoother operation, plus they typically less expensive to replace – something to think about if you plan on keeping the vehicle for a lot of years. Where the two vehicles are identical is with their maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The last major advantage (and we mean major) of the ’22 Odyssey is its remarkably higher maximum cargo capacity (144.9 cubic feet vs. 101 cu. ft.). That additional room can make a world of difference.

*(NHSTA) Government 5-Star Safety Ratings are part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s New Car Assessment Program (www.safercar.gov). Model tested with standard side airbags (SAB).