Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna for 2026? The V6 Versus Hybrid Showdown

Shopping for a family hauler means choosing between two wildly different approaches. The Honda Odyssey brings old-school V6 muscle to the table, while the Toyota Sienna went all-in on hybrid tech. Both seat eight, both get the job done, but they couldn’t be more different under the hood. Your choice comes down to whether you want instant throttle response or trips to the gas station that happen half as often.

• The Honda Odyssey packs 280 horses from its 3.5-liter V6 and hits 60 mph in around 6.5 seconds, making it the quickest gas minivan you can buy.
• Toyota’s Sienna runs exclusively on a 2.5-liter hybrid setup that returns 36 mpg combined in both city and highway driving.
• Odyssey starts at $44,290 with front-wheel drive only, while Sienna begins at $41,615 and offers available all-wheel drive across most trims.

Quick Reference Chart

Specification	2026 Honda Odyssey	2026 Toyota Sienna
Starting Price	$44,290	$41,615
Engine Type	3.5L V6	2.5L 4-Cylinder Hybrid
Horsepower	280 hp	245 hp (combined)
0-60 mph	~6.5 seconds	~7.5 seconds
MPG (City/Highway/Combined)	19/28/22	36/36/36
Seating Capacity	8 passengers	8 passengers
Cargo Space (behind 3rd row)	32.8 cubic feet	33.5 cubic feet
Max Cargo Space	140.7 cubic feet	101.0 cubic feet
All-Wheel Drive	Not Available	Available
Transmission	10-Speed Automatic	CVT

Power Versus Efficiency

Pop the hood and you’ll see two completely opposite philosophies. Honda stuck with a traditional 3.5-liter V6 making 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. That’s matched to a 10-speed automatic transmission that shifts quickly and keeps the engine in its sweet spot. Floor the gas pedal and the Odyssey moves like a big sedan, not a 4,500-pound box on wheels. You’ll hit 60 mph in about 6.5 seconds, which sounds absurd for a minivan until you’re merging onto the highway with a full load.

Toyota went a completely different direction. The Sienna ditched gas-only engines after 2020 and now runs solely on a 2.5-liter four-cylinder paired with electric motors. Total output sits at 245 horsepower, which feels adequate but never thrilling. The 0-60 sprint takes around 7.5 seconds, a full second slower than the Honda. The upside? You’re getting 36 mpg no matter where you drive. City, highway, doesn’t matter. Honda’s V6 manages 19 city and 28 highway, averaging 22 combined. If you drive 15,000 miles annually, that’s about $700 extra in gas costs with the Odyssey.

What You’re Actually Paying

Base pricing tells you the starting point. The Sienna LE kicks off at $41,615, undercutting the Odyssey EX-L at $44,290. But trim levels complicate things. The Odyssey’s EX-L already includes leather seats, a power moonroof, and those clever Magic Slide second-row seats that move side-to-side. Sienna’s LE gives you cloth upholstery and standard features, so you’re not comparing apples to apples.

Move up the ladder and prices converge. The Odyssey Touring sits at $47,495, while Sienna’s Limited checks in around $55,000. At the top, Odyssey Elite costs $51,695, and Sienna Platinum reaches $59,005. Both offer serious luxury at those price points, complete with ventilated front seats, premium audio systems, and rear entertainment screens.

Cargo Space and Seating Tricks

Eight passengers fit in either van, but cargo handling plays out differently. Behind the third row, you get 32.8 cubic feet in the Odyssey and 33.5 in the Sienna. Fold everything flat and the Honda maxes out at 140.7 cubic feet while Toyota reaches only 101. Why the gap? Sienna’s second-row seats don’t come out. They slide forward and back up to 25 inches, giving rear passengers serious legroom, but you can’t yank them out for full cargo mode like you can with the Odyssey.

Honda’s Magic Slide system lets you configure the middle row in multiple ways. Slide seats together for easy access to the third row. Push them apart for extra space. Remove the center seat entirely and convert to captain’s chairs. It’s the most flexible setup in the minivan world. Sienna counters with things like an available vacuum cleaner and mini-fridge in upper trims, which sounds gimmicky until you’re cleaning up after soccer practice or keeping drinks cold on a road trip.

All-Wheel Drive Options

Honda doesn’t offer all-wheel drive. Every Odyssey sends power to the front wheels only. Most buyers won’t care, especially in warmer climates or areas that don’t get hammered with snow. But if you live somewhere with rough winters, this matters.

Toyota makes AWD available on every Sienna except the base LE front-drive model. The Woodland Edition comes standard with AWD, and it’s optional on XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum trims. The hybrid system uses a separate electric motor to power the rear wheels, so you’re not adding mechanical complexity like a traditional transfer case. It works quietly and adds confidence on slippery roads without tanking fuel economy.

Which One Makes Sense?

Pick the Honda Odyssey if you want power and driving dynamics that feel more car-like. It handles better than any minivan has a right to, the V6 delivers strong acceleration, and that Magic Slide seating gives you cargo flexibility the Sienna can’t match. You’ll pay more at the pump, but some drivers prefer the direct, mechanical feel of a traditional engine.

Go with the Sienna if fuel costs matter more than throttle response. That 36 mpg combined rating saves real money over time, especially with gas prices bouncing around. All-wheel drive availability gives you more capability in bad weather. The hybrid system operates smoothly once you get used to it, and interior storage solutions make daily life easier.

This showdown between the 2026 Honda Odyssey versus Toyota Sienna really comes down to priorities. They both excel as family vehicles, pack serious safety tech, and won’t let you down on a long road trip. The difference is whether you value sporty performance or fuel-sipping efficiency more. Test drive both and see which one feels right.

See Both Minivans in Person at Gates Honda

Specs on a screen only tell you so much. Stop by Gates Honda in Richmond, Kentucky, and actually sit in both vans, open all the doors, mess with the seats, and see which one fits your family better. The sales folks there know Honda’s lineup cold and can walk you through financing options or what your trade-in might be worth. Want to feel that V6 acceleration? Take an Odyssey for a test drive. Already own one and need an oil change or tire rotation? The service center has factory-trained techs who work on these vans every day.

Tags: 2026 Honda Odyssey, family vehicles, hybrid fuel economy, minivan comparison, Toyota Sienna hybrid, V6 minivan
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