[08EX-L]

So my in-laws prefer to drive a mini-van for various reasons... and given that they like to come along with us on trips etc... and I have 4 in my family already they decide to pick up a new van.

I helped them buy a 2016 Honda Odyssey EX to replace their aging Dodge Caravan.

Thought I would throw up a few thoughts here as it compares to my Accord... as I will be the driver on any long trips.

What I immediately noticed was that the Odyssey is like a model year behind the Accord in some features... stuff that I thought were shared accross the model line up just were not in the odyssey... for example they still use the dreaded TPMS sensors.

The EX has Lanewatch but not LDW or FCW.... forget about even having the sensing option.

They also have the old school honda audio system.. no carplay even on a 2016 model! I guess they didn't want to take away from the brand new 2017 model out soon.

The VCM was flawless in the V6.. not as powerful as the Accord mind you... not sure why they are still using a 244hp motor when the V6 from the Accord would be much better matched to such a large van.

The 6AT was flawless with it's shifts compared to the clunky 6AT in my Venza.

I was amazed that the car had homelink (missing from my I4 Touring), smart key, lanewatch yet it did not have the auto rear view mirror. Nor did it have signals on the mirrors, really honda on such a big vehicle?? Not sure who in Honda is coming up with these weird feature packages.

Also being a 2016 it would be nice if they had the autostart like the new Accord does... but nope.. only power option it has is sliding doors... the rear gate only comes power on the EX-L I believe.

Everything said and done... very nice Van... prob something I will inherit eventually to replace my Venza. Fuel economy was definitely better with the VCM.. averaged 9L/100km on it's first tank of gas.

Bought it from the same dealer that sold my Accord.

 

[salcuta]

The Odyssey is surely an improvement over the Caravan. I'll probably trade our SUV soon for a van since we have the second baby on the way. I was initially looking at the Odyssey but I think we'll go with the Sienna.

 

[vinny68]

Some of these are differences in the Canada models compared to U.S. models. In the U.S., the Odyssey EX includes body-colored, heated, power side mirrors, including integrated turn indicators. You have to move up to the Odyssey EX-L to get FCW, LDW and auto-dimming rearview mirror though.

That's surprising about your Touring not having Homelink. In the U.S. all EX and above Accords include Homelink.

 

[08EX-L]

Some of these are differences in the Canada models compared to U.S. models. In the U.S., the Odyssey EX includes body-colored, heated, power side mirrors, including integrated turn indicators. You have to move up to the Odyssey EX-L to get FCW, LDW and auto-dimming rearview mirror though.

That's surprising about your Touring not having Homelink. In the U.S. all EX and above Accords include Homelink.

They fixed that in 2016... the finally realized that non-V6 owners have garage openers.

 

[14v6]

I think the Accord and CRV and most likely the Civic are the only ones that do not use TPMS sensors. Honda is behind with Car Play and Android Auto, even GM has it readily available. Canadian options are different meaning that you folks up north get the good stuff. The Canadian Ridgeline is optioned well compared to the ridiculously priced trims in the States. You have to spend 42k to get Lane Watch and Sensing and a conversation mirror (laugh). I would love to have the Canadian Ridgeline LX, it's a good fit for me.

What's up with all of the white cars with you and your family?

 

[Kamdog]

A new Odyssey is about to be released.

 

[08EX-L]

I think the Accord and CRV and most likely the Civic are the only ones that do not use TPMS sensors. Honda is behind with Car Play and Android Auto, even GM has it readily available. Canadian options are different meaning that you folks up north get the good stuff. The Canadian Ridgeline is optioned well compared to the ridiculously priced trims in the States. You have to spend 42k to get Lane Watch and Sensing and a conversation mirror (laugh). I would love to have the Canadian Ridgeline LX, it's a good fit for me.

What's up with all of the white cars with you and your family?

hahaha his van was silver but for his next car it was between the dark grey and white... and since I might inherit the car one day... I kinda influenced the white purchase :wink

I also suggested the blue since in only comes in the EX+... they almost bought the SE but the black mirrors and door handles were just too ugly.

I actually tried to make a case for them to buy the Sienna but the Odyseey was too much of a better deal with the $2500 cash rebate. I also wanted to stay away from the same dealer i bought my car but they put together an offer than no other dealer could match...

 

[Haligonian]

We had two Dodge Caravans - a new 1996 and a used 2000 in 2004. They were ok for a while, then started having problems and after 6-7 years got to the point that the cost to fix them was more than they were worth.

In 2011, we decided we'd buy a new minivan that should last at least five years longer than the payments. We narrowed the list down to the Sienna and the Odyssey. A similarly equipped Odyssey was about $2k (CAD) more than the Sienna. The Honda was definitely nicer on the inside - better materials, better fit and finish, better ergonomics, etc.. But it came down to money and Toyota was offering a better financing deal, so we bought the Sienna.

I think the Siennas are usually good, but ours has been a lemon. We had the transmission replaced twice under warranty at 70,000 km and 85,000 km. Now at 92,000 km, it has numerous small issues like interior parts coming loose, a middle seat that can't be removed, a taillight assembly that won't work and we're told will cost $700 to fix, etc. We don't drive it hard, and we tow a small, light utility trailer a few short trips a year. We've always had it maintained by the dealer and never missed a scheduled maintenance visit.

We regret not buying the Odyssey because we think it would have been more reliable and nicer to drive. But I'd say both are a good bet because they all make the odd lemon and I guess our unlucky number just came up with the Sienna.

 

[08EX-L]

We had two Dodge Caravans - a new 1996 and a used 2000 in 2004. They were ok for a while, then started having problems and after 6-7 years got to the point that the cost to fix them was more than they were worth.

In 2011, we decided we'd buy a new minivan that should last at least five years longer than the payments. We narrowed the list down to the Sienna and the Odyssey. A similarly equipped Odyssey was about $2k (CAD) more than the Sienna. The Honda was definitely nicer on the inside - better materials, better fit and finish, better ergonomics, etc.. But it came down to money and Toyota was offering a better financing deal, so we bought the Sienna.

I think the Siennas are usually good, but ours has been a lemon. We had the transmission replaced twice under warranty at 70,000 km and 85,000 km. Now at 92,000 km, it has numerous small issues like interior parts coming loose, a middle seat that can't be removed, a taillight assembly that won't work and we're told will cost $700 to fix, etc. We don't drive it hard, and we tow a small, light utility trailer a few short trips a year. We've always had it maintained by the dealer and never missed a scheduled maintenance visit.

We regret not buying the Odyssey because we think it would have been more reliable and nicer to drive. But I'd say both are a good bet because they all make the odd lemon and I guess our unlucky number just came up with the Sienna.

Oh man I hope we don't have the same transmission as your Sienna in our Venza... cause ours is also a 2011 and I've never liked how it drove especially when cold... any issues I'm dumping the thing.... it only has 50,000kms on it so far... and other than a noising steering, a few mild clunk noises its been pretty reliable.

 

[Graycar]

They fixed that in 2016... the finally realized that non-V6 owners have garage openers.

Makes ya wonder about the product planning geniuses who make these decisions.

Not having HomeLink is a pet peeve of mine. When I bought my 2013 6-6, you could only get HomeLink on the Accord V6 EX-L.
Now that was effing stupid, IMO. Honda has since wised up.

But you find this sort of stupidity on other brands as well. I recently looked at a 2016 GMC Canyon truck with a MSRP of nearly $40K, and.....you guessed it.... no HomeLink!

A remote control for a typical garage door opener retails for about $25-$30, so what is the problem with simply including HomeLink in the vehicle base price? The cost is peanuts compared to the MSRP, but it is a huge customer irritant when omitted, at least, in my case.

 

[Haligonian]

Oh man I hope we don't have the same transmission as your Sienna in our Venza... cause ours is also a 2011 and I've never liked how it drove especially when cold... any issues I'm dumping the thing.... it only has 50,000kms on it so far... and other than a noising steering, a few mild clunk noises its been pretty reliable.

Not sure if the Sienna and Venza have the same drivetrain. Probably, but I wouldn't worry. I think most of them are fine. I looked at carcomplaints.com and only 2 of 381 reported issues for Siennas are about transmissions.

Our transmission problems always started with a bit of slipping when you put it into D and pulled away. There was also sometimes a clunking noise and erratic shifting with a sudden jolt, like it was disengaging and reengaging. The first time it happened to my wife, she was driving slowly in a parking lot and she initially thought someone had just rear-ended her.

Eventually the slipping got so bad that it wouldn't move. The first time we had to have it towed. The second time it kept working in forward gears (although slipping some) but wouldn't move at all in reverse. Disappointing.