Toyota Highlander vs Honda Odyssey: Which Family Vehicle Fits You Best?

When it comes to finding the perfect family car the Toyota Highlander and the Honda Odyssey are two top contenders. Both vehicles are loved for their spacious interiors reliable performance and family-friendly features. But which one is right for your needs? Let’s dive deep into the details to compare these two popular options.

Overview of Toyota Highlander and Honda Odyssey

Toyota Highlander: A Family-Friendly SUV

The Toyota Highlander is a midsize SUV that stands out with its rugged design and excellent reliability. It offers three rows of seating advanced safety features and hybrid options for fuel efficiency.

Key Features of the Toyota Highlander:

• Available in gas and hybrid versions
• Seating for up to 8 passengers
• Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ suite of features
• All-wheel drive (AWD) available
• Towing capacity up to 5,000 lbs

What Sets It Apart:

The Highlander is perfect for families that need versatility. Whether you're heading on a road trip or commuting to school it balances comfort and utility.

Honda Odyssey: The Iconic Minivan

The Honda Odyssey has long been a favorite in the minivan segment. Its class-leading interior space and innovative features like Magic Slide seats make it a dream for families. The Odyssey focuses on practicality and convenience.

Key Features of the Honda Odyssey:

• Seating for up to 8 passengers
• Magic Slide second-row seats for easy access
• Honda Sensing safety system
• Built-in vacuum (HondaVac in Touring trims)
• Advanced infotainment system

Why It Stands Out:

The Odyssey delivers a smooth ride and is a lifesaver for busy parents with its easy-loading features and smart storage.

Interior Space and Comfort

Toyota Highlander Interior

The Highlander offers a well-crafted interior with optional leather upholstery and modern tech like a 12.3-inch touchscreen on higher trims. It provides 141.3 cubic feet of passenger space but the third row can feel cramped for adults. Cargo space measures 16 cubic feet behind the third row but expands to 84.3 cubic feet with the seats folded.

Drawback: Tight third-row space

Honda Odyssey Interior

The Odyssey shines with 168 cubic feet of passenger space. The second-row Magic Slide seats allow you to reconfigure seating for maximum flexibility. There’s also 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and up to 144.9 cubic feet with seats down.

Drawback: Minivan design isn’t as trendy as SUVs

Performance and Handling

Toyota Highlander Performance

The Highlander comes with a standard 2.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine delivering 265 horsepower or an optional hybrid powertrain with 36 MPG combined. The handling is smooth but some drivers find it less sporty compared to smaller SUVs.

Pros:

• Hybrid option for fuel savings
• AWD capability for tougher terrain

Cons:

• Slightly heavy steering feel

Honda Odyssey Performance

The Odyssey runs on a 3.5L V6 engine producing 280 horsepower with 19/28 MPG. While it doesn’t have AWD it offers a quieter and more refined ride. It handles like a smaller vehicle despite its size making it easy to maneuver in tight spaces.

Pros:

• Strong V6 performance
• Quiet and comfortable ride

Cons:

• Lack of AWD

Technology and Infotainment

Toyota Highlander

The Highlander features a user-friendly infotainment system with Apple CarPlay Android Auto and Amazon Alexa integration. Upper trims boast a 12.3-inch display but the base model has an 8-inch screen.

Pros:

• Modern tech options
• Premium sound system on higher trims

Cons:

• Base screen size feels small compared to rivals

Honda Odyssey

The Odyssey offers an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Family-focused features like CabinWatch let parents keep an eye on kids in the back.

Pros:

• Unique family-friendly tech
• Built-in vacuum

Cons:

• Touchscreen can lag slightly

People Are Always Asking

Is the Toyota Highlander more reliable than the Honda Odyssey?

Both vehicles score high for reliability but the Highlander’s Toyota brand reputation gives it a slight edge.

Can the Odyssey handle snow without AWD?

While the Odyssey lacks AWD its traction control system and snow mode help it manage light winter conditions.

Which vehicle is better for large families?

The Odyssey’s larger interior and reconfigurable seats make it the better pick for bigger families.

Are hybrid SUVs worth it?

If fuel economy is a priority the Highlander Hybrid’s 36 MPG is hard to beat.

Safety Comparison

Toyota Highlander

The Highlander boasts top safety ratings with features like:

• Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane departure alert with steering assist

Honda Odyssey

The Odyssey includes the Honda Sensing suite which offers:

• Collision mitigation braking system
• Road departure mitigation
• Adaptive cruise control

Both vehicles received 5-star ratings from NHTSA but the Highlander has more advanced driver assistance features in base trims.

Pricing and Trims

Toyota Highlander

• Starting price: $36,000 (base)
• Hybrid models start at $40,000

Honda Odyssey

• Starting price: $37,000 (base)
• Fully loaded models can exceed $50,000

Quotes from an Expert

Alex Collantes a car enthusiast shares "The Highlander is the ultimate family SUV with its hybrid efficiency and rugged capabilities but the Odyssey offers unmatched interior flexibility making it perfect for larger families."

Final Verdict

Both the Toyota Highlander and Honda Odyssey are excellent vehicles tailored for families. The Highlander shines with its hybrid options AWD capabilities and sporty SUV design. However the Odyssey excels in interior space and practical features like Magic Slide seats.

Choose the Highlander if you value:

• Hybrid fuel efficiency
• AWD for diverse terrains
• SUV styling

Pick the Odyssey if you prioritize:

• Maximum interior space
• Family-focused features
• Smooth V6 performance

Whether you need the rugged charm of an SUV or the practicality of a minivan these two vehicles deliver what families need most.