Honda Odyssey

The Honda Odyssey is a minivan designed and distributed by Honda, a Japanese automaker. It was originally released in 1994, and the North American 4^th generation Odyssey (the current generation) was released in September 2010. The Honda Odyssey received an 8.6 rating from U.S. News, and ranked first in its Minivan category. Reviewers say it offers excellent safety ratings, plenty of interior space, and a car-like performance that make it a perfect option for buyers with larger families.

Performance

Typically buyers who are looking for a minivan are not looking for an excellent performance, although the Honda Odyssey does offer a similar performance to a sedan. It received an excellent 8.9 performance rating from U.S. News. It comes with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that generates 248 horsepower. The LX, EX, and EX-L models receive a five-speed automatic transmission, while Touring trims come with a six-speed automatic transmission. Touring models offer 19 mpg for city driving and 28 mpg for highway driving. For a minivan, the Odyssey handles extremely well, and is a perfect vehicle to take on a long trip. It takes approximately 8.8 seconds to accelerate to 60 mph, and handles corners with poise and control.

Interior

The interior is where the Honda Odyssey really shines. It received a terrific 8.8 rating from U.S. News, and most critics say the interior is spacious and the seats are comfortable. The Odyssey offers three rows and can seat up to eight people. Standard features on the base model include a rearview camera, a USB port, Bluetooth, and power doors and windows. The EX trim adds a conversation mirror for talking with passengers in the back seats, a center storage console, and power sliding doors, while the EX-L models come with a power tailgate, heated front seats, and leather seats. The Touring models come with a rear-seat DVD system and navigation. The Odyssey offers 38.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, enough to store luggage or other cargo without having to sacrifice passenger space. When the third row is down, the cargo space increase to 93.1 cubic feet, and when the second and third rows are down, the Odyssey offers 148.5 cubic feet of cargo space.

Pros/Cons

While the Honda Odyssey is no sports sedan, critics state that it offers enough power for almost all situations, and it is not plagued by the ponderous handling that afflicts many minivans. Critics are also impressed with both the five and six speed transmissions, saying they offer plenty of power (although some reviewers have complained that the five-speed transmission can be slow to downshift). The interior is the best part of the Odyssey. All the features work well, there is a ton of cargo room, and the seats are very comfortable, although loading up on interior options can cause the price to skyrocket quickly. It is very easy to fold down the third row, making it an excellent vehicle to transport large items without sacrificing a ton of passenger space.

Other Features

CarConnection lists the base price for the LX model at $28 675; for the EX model at $31 825; for the EX-L model at $35 225; for the Touring model at $41 530; and for the Touring Elite model at $44 025. Depending on the trim model and the amount of interior features, the price for the Honda Odyssey can escalate quickly. It is one of the safest minivans on the market, receiving top ratings from both U.S. safety agencies, and a 9.8 safety rating from U.S. News. It also earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick. It includes the expected safety features, but also offers a class-leading six child-seat tether locations and five LATCH locations, which makes it a standout. The outward visibility and handling are also excellent, which helps drivers avoid potential accidents.