All new. Can't blame them for not throwing what works completely out with the bathwater.

 

Still no AWD? That's one area where all of the American-market minivans are losing out to the Toyota Sienna.

 

Are they really though?

I'd be interested to know what % of Sienna's are AWD

 

They're not and only 17% of Sienna's sold are AWD. Honda won't even offer it because of mpg concerns.

 

Given the total number of Siennas sold, though, that's still a pretty fair number...almost one out of 5. If it is a fact, though, that Honda is balking because of CAFE, then chalk up one more victory for the MPG-*****.

 

...and even then you'd need to figure out which people chose an AWD Sienna because it was just another option on the minivan they chose vs. "I chose a Sienna because of AWD".

 

Now I know! Thats what I suspected.

Here you rarely see AWD Siennas on the lots, vs every Lexus is AWD on the lots. Demand is different.

 

Around here the lots tend to be about 50/50 on AWD Siennas vs FWD. I'm a huge proponent of AWD, yet I'd probably opt for FWD in a Sienna because I'm not willing to deal with the run flat tires.

The Odyssey has a pretty strong following. I'm sure this one will do well.

 

Yeah the runflats were my main issue also when I was considering a Sienna

 

There's no way that the Siena is pulling all these sales away from other minivans becuase of AWD. I'd bet it's just the opposite--all other companies are letting Toyota chase after that tiny segement of sales--not worth it. Look at the compact crossover/CUV market--everyone scrambles to get in that game because there's enough sales, even for companies that put a sub-par product out on the market. These companies know what they are doing, and after 15 years, if Toyota is still the only minivan with AWD, it's not by accident.

 

Just anecdotal, but I very rarely see AWD Siennas up here in Ontario, Canada. The ones I do see seem to be the Limited trim, on which it is standard.

 

My only quip with Honda lately is the gouging that dealers do on the new models.

Obviously Honda has done some tremendous engineering work along with R&D to come out with the new Civic, Pilot, Ridgeline and Odyssey as "all-new" models. During early 2016, all Honda dealers in the Dallas area were touting MSRP +$2k-$4k in "accessories" and claiming they can't reduce the price because they were selling out of those artificially-high-priced models. A $43k Touring model my wife looked at was selling for $50k after $7k in additional rims/protection/etc. that the dealer would not remove. Same with the Ridgeline, and I hope they don't do the same with the Odyssey (smaller target demographic). All in all, it was just a horrendous shopping experience across most of the Honda dealers I've come across the past 18 months with these new vehicles. The new CRV is going to be launched and I figure these Honda dealers will live for the short-time-frame where they can gouge buyers instead of selling "at invoice".

/end rant on dealership experience

 

By the same token, there is a reason WHY it is still offered on the Sienna. If Toyota was losing money on it, it would probably be dropped.

 

Yes, I agree....though the AWD itself is a good option, the run-flats are not a good marketing move. I'm sure Toyota could find space in the vehicle for some kind of a spare......preferably a real one, of course.

 

To the uneducated, actually, run flats can be a great marketing move. Especially with a minivan--the pitch to the soccer mom, who in all likelihood, can't or won't change a flat--"If you get a flat, you don't even have to stop. You don't have to change the tire. You aren't stuck on the side of the road waiting for roadside assistance to get there with a car full of kids. You can go on your way, and call the dealer when you get home." Does this tell the whole story? No--and Honda really blew it years ago with those Michelin run flats that only the dealer could service, and only if the dealer had the right equipment, which resulted in litigation. But again, from the salesman's half-truth pitch to get you into this car today, run flats can actually be an easy sell to the right "prey."

But hey--at least the Siena has run flats. I thought about looking at a Regal GS until I saw you only get an inflator kit. There are definitely people that find this out after the fact, the hard way.