Hybrid 2.5 vs Gas 3.5… which one for a minivan?

I’m driving a Honda Odyssey with a 3.5L V6, and I’m in the market for a new minivan. I travel between Ohio and Minnesota quite a bit, so I’m curious how the Toyota Sienna Platinum Hybrid (2.5L) compares to the 3.5L gas engine in the Odyssey. Mainly interested in the engine and pickup performance. I’d rather get some honest opinions here than deal with sales pitches at a dealership. Appreciate your thoughts!

The 3.5L gas engine has way better pickup. No contest.

Dakota said:
The 3.5L gas engine has way better pickup. No contest.

Yeah, but it can’t beat the hybrid on fuel economy!

Merlin said:

Dakota said:
The 3.5L gas engine has way better pickup. No contest.

Yeah, but it can’t beat the hybrid on fuel economy!

True, but OP was asking about performance, not mileage.

I’ve read mixed reviews about the Sienna’s engine. Personally, I’d recommend you calculate how much you’d actually save on gas with a hybrid. Hybrids are great for city driving, but not so much for long highway trips.

@Vanya
Getting around 35 mpg on the highway isn’t a small thing, especially for a minivan!

Noor said:
@Vanya
Getting around 35 mpg on the highway isn’t a small thing, especially for a minivan!

True, but the Odyssey gets about 28 mpg on the highway. So, that’s a 7 mpg difference. If you’re driving 350 miles, it’s 12.5 gallons vs. 10 gallons for the Sienna. That’s roughly $10 saved per trip if gas is $3.50 per gallon.

Over 7,000 miles, that’s about $200 saved. But the Odyssey feels more responsive and versatile. Plus, the Sienna costs more upfront, so it might take a while to break even.

@Vaughn
Gotta love the Odyssey, right?

I was also deciding between a Sienna and Odyssey. The Sienna’s engine wasn’t a dealbreaker, but the lower headroom in the second and third rows was. We’re a tall family, so we ended up with a 2025 Odyssey.

Siennas tend to sell out before they even hit the lots. Maybe check out some video reviews to help you decide.

What’s your priority? Performance, fuel efficiency, or maybe you need AWD?

Are you planning to test drive them both?

Vin said:
Are you planning to test drive them both?

You should! I tried both, and while the Sienna wins on fuel economy, the Odyssey felt better on the road, especially when passing. Even my wife, who doesn’t care much about cars, thought the Sienna felt slow.

Why switch from Honda to Toyota? Only advantage I see is that the Sienna has a longer range per tank. Personally, I’m not a fan of the Toyota’s driving feel or interior layout.

Leonard said:
Why switch from Honda to Toyota? Only advantage I see is that the Sienna has a longer range per tank. Personally, I’m not a fan of the Toyota’s driving feel or interior layout.

I drive a Sienna, and I haven’t heard about any major recalls. Could you point out which ones you mean?

My son has a Sienna, and I drive an Odyssey. The Toyota engine feels sluggish, though it’s more fuel-efficient. I get around 28 mpg on the highway with my Honda. One thing that really sold me on the Odyssey was the versatility—like being able to haul 4x8 sheets of plywood. The Sienna’s second-row seats aren’t easy to remove, which limits its flexibility.

@Baylor
How does the Odyssey handle in the snow?

Always gas. Always.