Hi Scotty
We plan to purchase a minivan in the near future. Between Sienna hydrid All-Wheel Drive and V6 Honda Odassey, which one would be more reliable? more quiet? Since 2021 Sienna is new with hydrid engine, do you think that it will last as it is a Toyota product?
For Honda Odassey, does it still have transmission problem? or is it good now?
We're also considering the Ford Transit vs Mercedes Sprinter? which one would you think it is more reliable? Will the Sprinter last 300K miles with regular maintenance?
Thank you
Clarification: How long do you hope to keep the van and how many miles do you hope it can put on?
for at least 6 to 10 years. we plan to go road trips with the kids. So, around 15k to 20k miles per year. Thank you
Regular Sienna would be the best choice. No way I'd buy a first year hybrid van, even if it is a Toyota.
I think the minivans will be more equipped for human comfort than the Ford/Mercedes.
Mercedes will be very expensive to buy and maintain, and might be overkill for what you need. From what I hear, Ford powertrains aren't too reliable.
Unfortunately, vans have fallen out of fashion. We are in the era of the SUV. There a lot more options in that segment, so you might consider a nice, roomy SUV instead.
As for what's quieter: I encourage you to spend a healthy amount of time test driving to find out things like this.
You aren't getting 300,000 miles out of a Sprinter van take that thought and sell it to those in LaLa land.
What about a regular gasoline V6 Sienna? The hybrids don't last as long as the regular ones.
As for the Odyssey, the transmission do have some problems not to the same degree as 20 years ago but they are still prevalent. Its also relatively new so we don't know common problems yet but lets just say the powertrain wasn't designed for reliability. The Sienna vs Odyssey comparison would go to Sienna for longevity. You aren't getting 300k miles of any of your choices though (hybrid Sienna, V6 Odyssey, Sprinter, Transit).
The Transit is OK I mean if you need a minivan that would be my last choice.
My family has driven a 2014 Odyssey for a while and its a pretty good car no issue until now but you really want to stay on top of maintenance. If you need AWD, the Sienna is basically your only option.
For a ranking perspective, I would do Regular Sienna> Oddysey> Hybrid Sienna> Sprinter> Transit
If you are shooting for 300k miles, the regular Sienna is the only reasonable option.
Now for 6-8 years, the Hybrid Sienna, V6 Odyssey, and regular Sienna should be fine if not some minor transmission issues on the Odyssey the Sprinter would take a lot of money to repair (refer to @mountainmanjoe) and the Transit is meh in my opinion and OK/subpar in Scotty's opinion.
When it comes to practicality and driving dynamics, usually the Odyssey is better than the Sienna but you may not even care or find it the other way around give it a test drive.
I know for a fact 2018 Odyssey had transmission issues, and they fixed it now. Honda usually does something and improves it. The Odyssey (after the kinks fixed) isn't know for SHORT TERM issues but rather potential wear on mechanical components because of design with other priorities. after 7 8 years its a risk . Piece of mind would go to the gasoline Sienna. You might also want to consider a used 2016-2017 Odyssey if you want to get the Odyssey as you will save money and has a 6 speed automatic with most of the short term kinks fixed.
Generally Scotty and the forum's members lean towards the Sienna for long term reliability.
why do you say the Sprinter won't last 300k? I think it will easily make it.
They might but not without putting some serious money into it. What I mean is repairs would be expensive and I doubt it will last that long repair and trouble free.
they are expensive to maintain yes, but I think they're very durable and well made. They may very well run trouble-free for a long time. What are you basing your opinions on?
Honestly for what they are they are pretty good vans and the diesels might last a couple hundred thousand miles at least but when compared to the Toyota/Honda not only does it serve a different function (TOO big) but also would cost more to keep on the roads. As in you will most likely have more repairs if not more expensive repairs with all the gimmiks and perks etc.
What I was basing my statement on was that for personal use you wouldn't have a good owernship experience driving 300k miles in a Sprinter van. Fleet might be different.
why do you think it would have more repairs?
More gimmeks, electronics, etc and its a $36,000 Mercedes
Anyways a Sprinter van is like you said "overkill" compared to a Sienna/Odyssey so I don't think we need to debate this but I see what you mean I assumed by 300k miles the OP would have got sick of the cost of maintenance and repairs when they do come.
I think somebody is inventing advice again. 😐
People are spending serious money here Kerem.
I thought Sprinter and Transit is in a different class compare to Sienna and Odysseys. I thought he's more into Transit Connect and Mercedes Metris.
good point
The Metris is a HORRIBLE van and I will stick to that. I don't know about its reliability but its HORRIBLE in function and practicality.
Transit Connect: no comment but (though not completly sure) I know its based on the Focus and made in Turkey. The quality (I remember Scotty saying) is meh.
Also, I will stick to not recommending the Sprinter when we are talking about the Sienna. People are spending serious money? Well then save the money and get a Sienna.
Thats my stance.
@mountianmanjoe
c'mon man I'm just trying to help we are doing Sienna vs Sprinter I may have assumed a few statements here and there but still I stick to my original stance:
Don't buy a Sprinter van for personal use and try to get 300k miles out of it, when you have the Toyota Sienna.
I get overwhelmed when I get asked this many questions when I feel the outcome of my statement is correct. Even you said the Sprinter isn't a good choice for the purpose of the Oddysey/Sienna
Also my grammer isn't that great I'd like to note: sorry for your eyes.
Kerem is correct and I agree with his assessment. Also, something to keep in mind : the 2021 Toyota Sienna is the beginning of an all-new generation and it’s not recommended to buy from the first several years of a new generation if you plan to keep the vehicle long term just because of bugs/kinks that need to be worked out. Plus why be a guinea pig for them? (They are not even paying you to test for them. 🙂 ). Second, it’s hybrid with CVT and although Toyota makes the best hybrids around (and their CVT is OK) I still strongly recommend going with a regular gas version which was offered in the preceding generation (Kerem alluded to that) - plus save some money too. Over time repairs can become costly with a hybrid and you have to find a specialist who is competent in the first place on hybrids (Forget going to dealer - they will charge an arm and a leg for repairs.) As for the Odyssey, I am really not a fan of it: it has the only engine option 3.5L V6 which has cylinder deactivation which can potentially wear out/damage the engine over time (and just another layer of complexity that can go wrong even if you disable it via an aftermarket device). Plus it has the Honda designed 10-speed AT which the jury is still out on its longevity. Generally, the higher the number of gears the more the complexity and potential for something to go wrong. Even Toyota had some issues early on with their 6 and 8-speed AT and their transmissions (Aisin) are amongst the best for longevity, but I would still stick with Toyota versus a Honda on their transmission. Honda was never known for their automatic transmission prowess and longevity (but still OK compared to other automakers) and I would be a bit weary of their 10-speed long term: jury is still out like I said. The last 2 vans: I would rule them out. For piece of mind go with a previous generation Toyota Sienna.
On Sprinter van see below:
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/sprinter-vans-reliability-and-longevity/#post-74143
The Honda Odyssey’s engine is also direct injection-only and susceptible to carbon buildup on the back of the intake valves over time. Even with a catch can installed (can void your warranty) that’s another maintenance item to keep track of. With the Toyota Sienna, you don’t have those issues (since it still has port injection which sprays/cleans the back of the intake valves essentially mitigating carbon buildup). When you really examine the data and design, Toyota really engineered their products (powertrain) thoughtfully.
Thank you guys!
Your welcome. We always got your back.
I would also agree with Kerem's statement. The Toyota Sienna Hybrid is a new vehicle with a different powertrain. The Honda Odysseys have the 10 speed transmission. So we don't know if it's better than the Honda Odyssey's 5 and 6 speed transmission. My dad had a 2007 Honda Odyssey and it has transmission problems. I'm assuming you're talking about the Ford Transit Connect and Mercedes Metris not the Sprinter or Transit. Stay away for those vehicles. My pick in the same class would be:
1. 2020 and older Siennas
2. Honda Odysseys
3. Toyota Sienna Hybrid
4. Mercedes Metris
5. Ford Transit Connect
I was recently looking into both. With the car shortages I was surprised to find so many 2019, 2020, and 2021 odyssey's available, but no Sienna's near me. The Honda dealers near me all have Odyssey's new and used. No Toyotas to be found. With some further research, one reason is that the newer gen Odyssey had some serious issues. Major computer problems leading lots of people to bring them back. One site I read said that only 35% of Odyssey owners of the newer gen would buy another one! Wow!
But at the same time, the Sienna with hybrid is all new. Seems to be getting good reviews, but I also wonder about long term maintenance costs with a hybrid. I've been searching for a 2020 Sienna near me but they are hard to find.
Good luck with your purchase.
