Page published October 27, 2026
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Every total below uses the same basis: 12,000 miles a year, gas at $4.153 a gallon (the EIA national average for the week ending November 2, 2026), 7% sales tax as a site example, $900 in title and dealer fees, 10% down, 8% APR over 60 months, and each model insurance and upkeep figures from its own Driveonomics cost page.
The 5-year totals, side by side
| Model | Body style | Purchase price | 5-year total | About a month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Grand Highlander | 3-row SUV | $44,130 | $54,037 | $901 |
| Toyota Sienna | Minivan | $46,020 | $56,770 | $946 |
| Honda Odyssey | Minivan | $44,290 | $58,148 | $969 |
| Honda Pilot | 3-row SUV | $48,090 | $63,857 | $1,064 |
Each total is value lost plus insurance plus fuel plus upkeep plus tax plus fees plus loan interest. The monthly figure is the 5-year total divided by 60, rounded to the nearest dollar. The Grand Highlander fuel line is recomputed at $4.153 a gallon (the EIA national average for the week ending November 2, 2026) so it matches the other three rows; its own page used a higher gas price.
Formula
Every total below uses the same basis: 12,000 miles a year, gas at $4.153 a gallon (the EIA national average for the week ending November 2, 2026), 7% sales tax as a site example, $900 in title and dealer fees, 10% down, 8% APR over 60 months, and each model insurance and upkeep figures from its own Driveonomics cost page. Each total is value lost plus insurance plus fuel plus upkeep plus tax plus fees plus loan interest, and the monthly figure is the 5-year total divided by 60, rounded to the nearest dollar. The four totals: Toyota Grand Highlander $54,037, Toyota Sienna $56,770, Honda Odyssey $58,148, and Honda Pilot $63,857.
The averages are the two minivans against the two 3-row SUVs. The minivans average $57,459 over 5 years ($56,770 plus $58,148, divided by 2) and the 3-row SUVs average $58,947 ($54,037 plus $63,857, divided by 2), a gap of only $1,488. The averages check: $57,459 plus $1,488 is $58,947. Body style alone does not decide this one: the cheapest vehicle of the four is a 3-row SUV, the Grand Highlander at $54,037, which undercuts both minivans.
The Sienna is the cheapest minivan because it is a hybrid rated 36 miles per gallon, so its 5-year fuel is only $6,785, less than two thirds of the Odyssey $11,103 at 22 miles per gallon. That fuel saving more than covers the Sienna higher insurance of $210 a month against the Odyssey $160. The Pilot costs the most of the four because it starts dearest at $48,090 and loses the most value in dollars, about $23,227 over 5 years, so its tax and interest are highest too. The Grand Highlander wins overall by losing the least value in dollars, about $15,754, despite middling fuel economy. The Grand Highlander fuel line is recomputed at $4.153 a gallon so it matches the other three rows; its own page used a higher gas price.
Why the Sienna is the cheapest minivan here, and why the Pilot is the dearest of the four
The Sienna is a hybrid rated 36 miles per gallon, so its 5-year fuel is only $6,785, less than two thirds of the Odyssey $11,103 at 22 miles per gallon. That fuel saving more than covers the Sienna higher insurance of $210 a month against the Odyssey $160. The Pilot loses the most value in dollars, about $23,227 on a $48,090 price, and starts dearest, so its tax and interest are highest too. The Grand Highlander wins overall by losing the least value in dollars, about $15,754, despite middling fuel economy.
What the numbers do not settle
Sliding doors, a flat load floor, and a third row adults can actually reach matter most weeks in a way no total captures, and so do towing, ground clearance, and all wheel drive for winter roads. A minivan cannot tow like a Pilot, and a Pilot cannot load car seats like a Sienna. Use the totals to rule out the dearest option when two vehicles both fit your life, and use a real test drive with every seat and seat belt you actually use to settle the rest.
For the wider 3-row question, see do you really need a 3-row SUV, and to run your own numbers on any of these models, use the calculator.
Figures: purchase prices, gas mileage, insurance, upkeep, and value loss from each model own Driveonomics cost page, recomputed on the common basis stated above.
Educational estimates only, not financial, tax, legal or insurance advice. Every figure on this page is a typical example worked from the inputs stated on the page, not a quote for a specific car, loan, or driver. Your rate, insurance, fuel use, and resale value will move your total. See Terms.
Calculation transparency
Scope. Four vehicles, two minivans and two 3-row SUVs, on one common 5-year basis, with purchase prices and per-model insurance, upkeep, and value loss from each model own Driveonomics cost page.
Rules and time period. Common basis: 12,000 miles a year; gas at $4.153 a gallon, the EIA national average for the week ending November 2, 2026; 7% sales tax as a site example; $900 in title and dealer fees; 10% down; 8% APR over 60 months; Grand Highlander fuel recomputed at $4.153; monthly figure is the 5-year total divided by 60, rounded to the nearest dollar.
Scope and limitations. Educational estimate only. Body style alone does not decide this one, and the totals do not settle sliding doors, a flat load floor, a third row adults can actually reach, towing, ground clearance, or all-wheel drive for winter roads. A minivan cannot tow like a Pilot, and a Pilot cannot load car seats like a Sienna. Prices vary by car, shop, and city. Get a written quote for your own car before you decide.
Source links checked November 6, 2026. Figures: Purchase prices, gas mileage, insurance, upkeep, and value loss from each model own Driveonomics cost page, recomputed on the common basis stated above; gas at $4.153 a gallon, the EIA national average for the week ending November 2, 2026.
Primary sources: EIA, U.S. weekly retail gasoline prices; Toyota Sienna true cost; Honda Pilot true cost; Mid-size vs full-size 3-row SUV cost. How the numbers are calculated is written down on the methodology page, and every source is listed on the sources page.
Definitions
Minivan. A van body style with sliding doors and a flat load floor. On this page, the two minivans average $57,459 over 5 years.
3-row SUV. A sport utility vehicle with three rows of seats. On this page, the two 3-row SUVs average $58,947 over 5 years.
Value lost. The value a car loses over 5 years. The Pilot loses the most in dollars, about $23,227, and the Grand Highlander loses the least, about $15,754.
Upkeep. Maintenance and repairs together, from each model own Driveonomics cost page.
Hybrid. On this page, the Sienna is a hybrid rated 36 miles per gallon, so its 5-year fuel is only $6,785, less than two thirds of the Odyssey $11,103.
APR. Annual percentage rate, the yearly interest rate on the loan. This example uses 8%. For context, Experian reported average rates of 6.35% on new cars and 11.19% on used cars in the second quarter of 2026.
Sales tax. A tax on the purchase price, charged by your state. On this page, 7% is a site example, not any state actual rate.
Questions people actually ask
Is a minivan or a 3-row SUV cheaper over 5 years?
On the same basis on this page, the two minivans average $57,459 over 5 years and the two 3-row SUVs average $58,947, so minivans win on average by $1,488. But the cheapest vehicle of the four is the Toyota Grand Highlander, a 3-row SUV, at $54,037, which undercuts both minivans, so the specific model matters more than the body style.
What is the cheapest minivan over 5 years on this page?
The Toyota Sienna at $56,770, or about $946 a month, against the Honda Odyssey at $58,148, or about $969 a month. The Sienna wins on fuel: as a hybrid rated 36 miles per gallon, its 5-year fuel is $6,785 against the Odyssey $11,103 at 22 miles per gallon.
Why does the Honda Pilot cost the most of the four?
It starts dearest at $48,090 and loses the most value in dollars, about $23,227 over 5 years, so its tax and interest are highest too, for a total of $63,857. The Grand Highlander starts at $44,130 and loses only about $15,754, which is why it finishes cheapest despite middling fuel economy.
Do these totals use the same inputs for every model?
Yes. Every row uses 12,000 miles a year, gas at $4.153 a gallon (the EIA national average for the week ending November 2, 2026), 7% sales tax as a site example, $900 in title and dealer fees, 10% down, 8% APR over 60 months, and the insurance and upkeep figures from that model own Driveonomics cost page.
Why is the Toyota Sienna the cheapest minivan here?
The Sienna is a hybrid rated 36 miles per gallon, so its 5-year fuel is only $6,785, less than two thirds of the Odyssey $11,103 at 22 miles per gallon. That fuel saving more than covers the Sienna higher insurance of $210 a month against the Odyssey $160.
Related: other three-row SUVs in the same lane: Toyota Highlander, about $1,027 a month, Chevrolet Traverse, about $962 a month, Dodge Durango, about $912 a month, Ford Explorer, about $1,034 a month, Hyundai Palisade, about $1,009 a month, Kia Telluride, about $1,118 a month, Chevrolet Tahoe, about $1,512 a month.
Related: deciding between them: mid-size vs full-size 3-row SUV cost, can a family car fit $400 or $600 a month, family cars under $400 a month, what a family road trip costs in gas.