Odys are up there with Sienna for resale but after 5+ years… is there a big difference?
I’d go with the one that has the features you like most.
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Valid points from you and Matt; for people who don’t enjoy the experience of hunting a deal and don’t want to transact too often, I’d give the nod to the Sienna because it is likely to be the most reliable of the four.
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Thr biggest issue with getting a Sienna is you have to drive a Sienna. As long as you dont care about that problem, it probably is a good value retention and candidate for limiting long term TCO.
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What’s wrong with driving a Sienna? Best gas mileage (Pacifica PHEV aside) and nice styling (subjective). I just don’t like what they did with the front row interior space.
I got the Swagger Wagon when it first came out (2011 Sienna SE) and enjoyed that dad-mobile.
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Have you driven a current one? It gets great gas mileage because it doesnt make enough power to get out of its own way. One of the few vehicles that my wife, who couldnt care less about how cars drive, kept asking wtf was wrong with it.
That’s not mentioning the horrid interior design and typical toyota crappy material choices. Feels like it’s made by tupperware inside.
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Another question at large, given you all have very good info on the subject:
I’ve been hearing lately that minivans aren’t so great from a safety stand point, ie. crash tests, etc. To what extent is this true and/or should be a concern? Is it over blown, or are these things an unsafe option?
The Byrds seemed to have walked away ok from that rollover in Ozark, but were they more beat up than they otherwise would have been in a different vehicle? 
Thanks
You probably saw this:
One thing to keep in mind is that IIHS recently updated the moderate overlap and side impact tests. Previously, cars were not necessarily designed to meet this standard. Many older models are failing these tests like Org Chem II Midterm.
In the midsize SUV segment, where more options are available, you can find examples that underwent a minor update in response to these new tests. (e.g. compare 2022 vs 2024 Telluride)
I suspect the 2025 Carnival got the same treatment.
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Great info. It’ll be interesting to see how the 25’s perform…
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Curious if you can comment on ADAS features of these three minivans. Particularly interested in lane steering and adaptive cruise control. I find that it makes road trips a lot easier.
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All 4 of the Minivans have the standard ADAS like adaptive cruise and lane keep assist.
Some other features like 360 degree camera is only available on Sienna Platinum, Carnival SX and SX Prestige, Optional for Pacifica Touring and Limited, standard on Pinnacle, and the Odyssey does NOT offer a 360 camera (Im sure the redesign in a year or two will).
Hopefully this helps!
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@SeaBass - I am curious did you end up getting a Kia Carnival?
Thanks!
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I haven’t got anything yet–still have two months left on the Pathfinder, so the time is getting pretty ripe.
I honestly like all the minivans, as each one has pros and cons:
-Pacifica: Great mpg, nice 3rd row folding, good tech / many reliability horror stories and hard and fast deprec
-Odyssey: Best rear seating functionality imo, tried and true, nice tech / very dated though so a discount would have to be significant to feel “ok” when seeing the new model come out
-Sienna: its a Toyota and gets great hybrid mpg / its sluggish and overrated based on the premium price it commands
-Carnival: Good power, good tech, nice rear seating functionality (with 2nd row bench) / S & SX seem more rare and its still an MSRP play
None have any particularly good lease deals going on right now. The siren song of those EV9’s waft in the distance… but should I put wax in my ears and continue on this “odyssey”?
I replaced my carnival with an ev9. Gave up some storage space behind the 3rd row and the convenience of the sliding doors. Gained a much nicer vehicle, lower payment, more 2nd row space, etc. Im very happy with the change.
Thank you for responding @SeaBass. Kia has a lease special on its 2025 Carnival LXS - have you checked it out?
Have you made up your mind about leasing it vs financing it? I have been on the fence about it as well but everywhere I read it says it is better to finance one and not lease a carnival.
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I havent seen that lease special, but I’ll go check it out.
I agree that unless some type of incentive were to spring up, financing makes a whole lot more sense. My dilemma is that if Im going to finance, I kind of want to see what the new Carnival hybrid is like, but there are none in my area yet.
The EV9 kind of seems like an interesting punt right now…
…putting down the wax.
Yeah, it seems like people are having pretty good luck getting into EV9’s with a payment under $600/month. Thats not too shabby for a fairly large 3 row and “full tank each morning.”
What model do you have, and how many passengers do you typically cart around? I was kind of thinking Wind due to its 2nd row bench (could do 3 across for added rear storage if needed in a pinch).
Thanks
I’ve got a land, so 2nd row captains seats, with the relaxation package, so super reclining 2nd row. Even with those, the 3rd row is easily as roomy as the carnival. I’d have no qualms driving around with adults back there, as I did with the carnival plenty of times. The biggest difference space wise inside is you get a roomier 2nd row in the ev9 and more cargo volume in the carnival. Bare minimum, it’s worth going and test driving one.
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Always nice to read data points from someone who has actually owned and or currently owns both vehicles the OP is comparing!
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