2013 Honda Odyssey or 2013 Toyota Alphard

[top_speed]

With a growing family, I am in a hunt for a premium van. Topmost in my list are the Honda Odyssey and the Toyota Alphard. Which in your opinion is the better choice in the following:

a. Driving Pleasure
b. Comfortable seating capacity
c. Passenger riding pleasure
d. Features and accessories
e. Price of parts and maintenance
f. Value for money

If you happen to own either of these vans, kindly post pictures.

[niky]

The big question is: How many people are you carrying? If you're carrying more than seven, they won't fit comfortably in the Alphard, but may fit in the Odyssey.

Otherwise:

a. Driving Pleasure - Tie. The Odyssey has better steering and a more controlled suspension, the Alphard is quicker and easier to thread through traffic (narrower)

b. Comfortable seating capacity - Odyssey

c. Passenger riding pleasure - Alphard. Middle row captain's chairs swivel, recline and have power-footrests. Front passenger chair has a power foot-rest. Third-row isn't quite as nice, but still great. Also, back-rest recline has better geometry than Odyssey. Odyssey seats are uncomfortable when reclined to sleeping position.

d. Features and accessories - Alphard. Huge glass roof with mood-lighting. Power seats. Etcetera. Odyssey has a better stereo, but that's about it.

e. Price of parts and maintenance - You expect either to be cheap? Both share V6s with the Camry/Accord, but other parts do NOT carry over. Don't expect to find them outside the dealership.

f. Value for money - Alphard, definitely. The Odyssey is the better big family hauler... but if you're looking to carry a lot of people, the Starex and Super Grandia hold more people for less money. The Alphard is a great executive express, and a worthy alternative to a big SUV.

Case-in-point, since it came out, two relatives plonked their money down on Alphards. One prefers using it over his S-Class. ;)

[LNopal]

If you have money to burn, get the odyssey. I have one and it's always a pleasure to drive especially for long drives. I am not familiar with Alphard, but niky gave you an idea. Test drive both and if you could also be the passenger, it'll be great to compare how it feels to be a passenger for both vans.

[top_speed]

Thank you for this very intelligent reply....

The big question is: How many people are you carrying? If you're carrying more than seven, they won't fit comfortably in the Alphard, but may fit in the Odyssey.

When your looking for a van, the number of people you can comfortably accommodate would be of high importance. Looking at the seating configurations of both, the Alphard can at best comfortably seat 6pax, driver and passenger in front, two using the Ottoman seats and only two in the third row. While with the Odyssey and its width advantage, I can see 8pax comfortably transported.

a. Driving Pleasure - Tie. The Odyssey has better steering and a more controlled suspension, the Alphard is quicker and easier to thread through traffic (narrower).

I believe the narrower the vehicle, the less stable it is in cornering.

b. Comfortable seating capacity - Odyssey

On the Alphard, when third row seats are deployed, cargo space is severely compromised.

c. Passenger riding pleasure - Alphard. Middle row captain's chairs swivel, recline and have power-footrests. Front passenger chair has a power foot-rest. Third-row isn't quite as nice, but still great. Also, back-rest recline has better geometry than Odyssey. Odyssey seats are uncomfortable when reclined to sleeping position.

Agree, Agree, Agree

d. Features and accessories - Alphard. Huge glass roof with mood-lighting. Power seats. Etcetera. Odyssey has a better stereo, but that's about it.


Odyssey has back-up camera and Bluetooth hands-free system. Both should have a DVD entertainment system given their price tags.

e. Price of parts and maintenance - You expect either to be cheap? Both share V6s with the Camry/Accord, but other parts do NOT carry over. Don't expect to find them outside the dealership.

f. Value for money - Alphard, definitely. The Odyssey is the better big family hauler... but if you're looking to carry a lot of people, the Starex and Super Grandia hold more people for less money. The Alphard is a great executive express, and a worthy alternative to a big SUV.

Given the discounts offered to me on a BNew 2012 Odyssey, it will come out over P600K cheaper than the Alphard. The difference is equivalent to the price of a compact car. I find this very tempting.

Case-in-point, since it came out, two relatives plonked their money down on Alphards. One prefers using it over his S-Class. ;)

[top_speed]

I decided to get the Honda Odyssey. I will take it out from the dealer tomorrow. :-)

[niky]

If you're getting it for 600k less than the Alphard, that is definitely a good deal. Honda sometimes has runout sales like that for units they can't shift.

Congrats on the purchase!

[LNopal]

Good choice. Goodluck with your new Odyssey; enjoy!

[top_speed]

I am extremely happy with it. It drives just as good as my BMW X5. Very responsive engine and suspension belongs to elite brands of cars. It very spacious with a lot of features included. Overall, this is one of a hell people mover. Kudos to Honda

[top_speed]

Just came back from a long vacation with wifey, kids and yayas in tow. After having gone to Subic and Baguio, it's ready for its first 1000km check up. The Odyssey is a blast to drive. Highly responsive engine and very manueverable especially on the twisties of Marcos Highway. The seats are superbly comfortable and the space was never wanting despite the over ten luggages that we brought along. It averaged a little over 8km/ltr for the entire trip despite bursts of 140kph in SCTEX and heavy traffic in some stretches of the McArthur
Highway.

Overall, I believe that this is the best executive class VAN in the market and at its price, its a steal. And for those whose opinion point in favor of the Alphard driven largely by their favorable perception of the Toyota brandname and despite its clear disadvantage in spaciousness and seating capacity, I can confidently say it is time to take a second look on the Odyssey.

[top_speed]

Here is it now after installing by myself the side mouldings, door trim, rain guards and floormats

[trafficjam]

Here is it now after installing by myself the side mouldings, door trim, rain guards and floormats

Wow You really love the Odyssey dude. Ain't letting someone touch it and did the installation by yourself. Salute to you bro.

[willyfernando]

Sigh, I really wanted this for a family van but my wife was taken by the 2014 Grand Starex CVX of Hancars. I am happy for her but the memories of the test ride of the Odyssey still lingers in my mind. The Odyssey is really a great choice.:thumbup:

[euroasiatrucks]

I think Honda Odyssey is good car for family purpose and it gives a good driving pleasure

[ozcity]

^ is that USDM odyssey?

Oz odyssey


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[niky]

^ is that USDM odyssey?

Yup. Honda went USDM with the Odyssey, Toyota went JDM (but LHD) with the Alphard.

One offers much more elbow room... the other offers a ****load more toys and luxury.

Obviously, the Alphard tends to sell like hotcakes because of this. The Odyssey ain't bad, but for the price, if you really want a Honda, might as well get the Pilot, which has more machismo, go anywhere ability and more places to stuff softdrinks than you can count...



(except we counted them, obviously: Just how many soda cans can you fit inside the Honda Pilot? | TopGear.com.ph )