Which is more spacious Sienna or Odyssey?

In the battle of family-friendly space, two stalwarts—Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey—vie for the top spot. In practical terms, the Honda Odyssey tends to offer more cargo space, while the Toyota Sienna matches the Odyssey for passengers overall and offers a flexible, hybrid-driven interior.

Cargo capacity: how much you can haul

To compare storage, consider three benchmarks: space behind the third row, space behind the second row, and the maximum cargo volume with all seats folded. The figures below reflect current configurations used by many families for 7- or 8-passenger layouts.

• Cargo behind the third row: Odyssey about 38 cubic feet; Sienna about 33 cubic feet.


• Cargo behind the second row: Odyssey about 92 cubic feet; Sienna about 75 cubic feet.


• Maximum cargo with seats folded: Odyssey about 145 cubic feet; Sienna about 101 cubic feet.

In summary, for cargo, the Honda Odyssey offers more space in every measure, especially when rear seats are folded or removed, making it the more spacious option for hauling large loads.

Passenger space and seating comfort

When it comes to people, interior volume and seating flexibility matter. Both minivans provide three rows and seating configurations that adapt to families, with subtle differences in design and ergonomics that can affect daily comfort and access.

• Passenger volume (total interior): Odyssey around 163–164 cubic feet; Sienna around 163–166 cubic feet — roughly similar, with small variations by trim.


• Second-row seating: Sienna often offers standard captain's chairs on higher trims for easier access to the third row; Odyssey offers captain's chairs on many trims and a 7-passenger layout is common.


• Third-row usability: both provide adult-friendly space, with the Sienna’s floor design and seating arrangement sometimes offering easier ingress/egress depending on configuration.

Overall, both vehicles feel spacious inside, and the choice often comes down to seating layout preferences and how you prioritize easy access to the back row in day-to-day use.

Bottom line: which should you pick for space?

For sheer cargo capacity, the Honda Odyssey is the leader. For passenger-space parity with flexible seating options, the Toyota Sienna holds its own and adds the benefit of a modern hybrid powertrain, which can influence daily usability and efficiency. Your decision may hinge on whether you prioritize maximum cargo-hauling capacity or a balanced, efficient interior with flexible seating options.

Summary

Both the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey are among the most spacious minivans on the market. The Odyssey tends to offer more cargo space, particularly with the rear seats removed or folded, while the Sienna provides comparable passenger volume and flexible seating, along with the advantages of a hybrid drivetrain. In real-world use, the best choice depends on whether you need maximum cargo flexibility or a strong blend of passenger comfort and efficiency.

Does the Odyssey or Sienna have more room?

Summary: Comparing the 2025 Honda Odyssey versus Toyota Sienna in terms of space and size, the larger Odyssey minivan comes out on top. It has more legroom and shoulder room in two of the three rows, along with far greater maximum cargo capacity than its Toyota competitor.

Which minivan is more spacious?

The most spacious minivans depend on the metric: the Toyota Sienna has the most maximum cargo space (150 cubic feet), while the Kia Carnival offers the most legroom in the second row (40.5 inches), and the Chrysler Pacifica provides a unique advantage with its Stow 'n Go seating that folds the second and third rows into the floor for cargo. 
You can watch this video to learn about the cargo and legroom comparison between Sienna, Odyssey, and Carnival: 1msavagegeeseYouTube · Mar 7, 2025
Most spacious by category

• Maximum Cargo Space:
  • Toyota Sienna: Offers the highest maximum cargo volume with 150 cubic feet when all rear seats are folded down. 
  • Kia Carnival: Comes in second with a maximum cargo volume of 145.1 cubic feet. 
• Second-Row Legroom:
  • Honda Odyssey: Leads with the most second-row legroom at 40.9 inches. 
  • Kia Carnival: Is a very close second with 40.5 inches. 
• Versatility with Stow 'n Go:
  • Chrysler Pacifica: Features the exclusive Stow 'n Go seating system, which allows both second and third-row seats to fold completely flat into the floor, creating a large, unobstructed cargo area up to 140.5 cubic feet. This is the most versatile option for quickly switching between passenger and cargo needs. 

What are the negatives of a Honda Odyssey?

Common cons of the Honda Odyssey include issues with the infotainment system, especially on older models, and problems with the second-row seats, which are heavy and do not stow under the floor. Some owners report transmission issues on certain model years, and other complaints include a lack of cargo space in the second row, potential electrical and engine problems, and a noisy cabin. 
Infotainment and interior

• Poor infotainment: Older models have outdated systems with poor native interfaces, and some issues persist even in newer models, with complaints about the native system, Bluetooth connectivity, and microphone quality. 
• Heavy second-row seats: The second-row seats are large and heavy, and unlike some competitors, they do not fold flat or stow under the floor, making them difficult to remove or store. 
• Noisy cabin: Some drivers report excessive road and wind noise, especially from the front wheel wells. 
• Awkward third row: The third row can be uncomfortably low for some adults. 
• Poor voice projection: The CabinTalk system, which projects the driver's voice to the back rows, is described as sounding like an echoey PA system. 

Engine and mechanical

• Engine and transmission issues: While reliability is generally good, some specific model years (2011-2013, 2018-2020) have been associated with transmission problems, and others report issues like stalling, misfires, or excessive oil consumption. 
• Sluggish "Eco" mode: The Eco mode can significantly slow down accelerator response in an effort to improve fuel economy, which can be frustrating for some drivers. 

Electrical and other issues

• Electrical problems: Some owners have reported electrical issues, including problems with the forward collision avoidance system on recent models. 
• Tailgate issues: A class-action lawsuit was filed regarding tailgate malfunctions on 2018-2021 models, allegedly caused by water leaks. 
• Visibility: The sloped hood can make it difficult to see from the driver's seat, and large blind spots have been noted. 

Which is more reliable, the Honda Odyssey or the Toyota Sienna?

The Toyota Sienna is generally considered more reliable, with higher ratings from organizations like Consumer Reports and J.D. Power for long-term dependability. The Honda Odyssey is also a reliable vehicle, but has a slightly lower overall reliability ranking compared to the Sienna and has been reported to have some transmission issues in certain model years.
 
Toyota Sienna

• Higher reliability ratings: Ranked higher for overall reliability by sources like Consumer Reports and J.D. Power. 
• Hybrid powertrain: All models are hybrid, which offers significantly better fuel efficiency. 
• Standard AWD: Available with all-wheel drive on all models, which can provide more confidence in slippery road conditions. 
• Long-term value: Benefits from a strong hybrid system warranty and high resale value. 

Honda Odyssey

• Good reliability: Has a strong reputation for reliability, though slightly lower than the Sienna in some studies. 
• V6 engine: Comes with a powerful V6 engine that provides quicker acceleration. 
• Seating and cargo: Features popular options like Magic Slide seats, and can have more flexible cargo solutions compared to the Sienna. 
• Potential for issues: Some owners have reported transmission-related problems in certain model years. 

Conclusion

• If your priority is maximum long-term reliability, the Toyota Sienna is likely the better choice. 
• If you prioritize a more powerful gas engine, specific interior features like Magic Slide seats, and potentially higher cargo flexibility, the Honda Odyssey is a strong contender, though you should be aware of the potential for transmission issues in some years.