No matter what, minivans always feel like a mobile base of operations. There’s something purposeful about them. Never mind being saddled by the “mom car” stigma, a minivan is as manly as a Swiss Army knife or a Leatherman tool if you look at it the right way. The current gold standard in minivans? Almost certainly the Honda Odyssey.
Honda’s latest Odyssey seems to have taken a surprising amount of influence from the late Mercedes R-Class. Not in terms of styling, but the R-Class was a not-quite minivan whose bulk and somewhat awkward looks didn’t keep it from providing very comfortable freeway performance and driving stability. While this also didn’t keep sales high enough to warrant it sticking around, the Odyssey seems to have taken note, and this minivan actually provides a very nice ride.
That’s not hyperbole. Honda’s fully independent suspension uses MacPherson struts up front and double wishbones at the rear. It offers responsive stability that’s practically unheard of in minivans. The Odyssey rides with the poise of a small house, but manages this trick without losing all communication with the road. The family won’t even notice that you’re exceeding the speed limit. That calm ride is further enhanced by the available blind spot monitor, lane departure warning and forward collision warning. Four-wheel disc brakes bring the Odyssey to a stop with the same confidence as any car.
Under the hood, there’s a 3.5 liter DOHC V6 providing 248 horsepower. Honda’s Variable Cylinder Management system saves fuel on the freeway, and variable valve timing keeps the engine’s output smooth and strong. The powertrains also include an active noise-cancellation system for additional quiet. The Odyssey rolls out with a standard six-speed automatic transmission and fuel economy is a respectable 19/28.
This minivan’s got an unusually rigid chassis, for the breed. That contributes to the stable ride and also means a quiet interior. Seating for up to eight passengers is accomplished in comfort, or you can fold down all of the seats to open up a 148 cubic-foot cargo area that stretches the boundaries of “mini.” All three rows of seats are comfortable, and the rearmost seat tumbles into the floor when not needed. Rear-seat passengers are treated to a truly massive wide-screen entertainment display. The dash emphasizes the Odyssey’s width as well, with two large information screens containing ancillary functions. There’s a lot going on here, and it can be a bit confusing at first. Storage in the lower console is generous, and includes USB and auxiliary audio connections. An available “cool box” rides at the bottom, providing chilly drink storage. The shifter’s also on the console to save floor space. Taller passengers will find the ride in the second- and third-row seats a bit knees-up, but there’s enough head- and legroom for longish trips.
You may have already heard about the Odyssey’s latest cool trick: the available built-in HondaVAC vacuum cleaner. Powered by the Odyssey’s electrical system, the unit is located at the rear of the vehicle and has a hose long enough to reach spilled Cheerios anywhere inside. It’s a touch of genius that will come in useful whether the Odyssey is being used as a family hauler or a parts hauler. Other amenities include a navigation system, backup camera, and the rear-seat entertainment system. Bluetooth connectivity allows the use of Pandora and Aha music-sharing.
From curbside, Honda’s minivan his handsome, and doesn’t fall into the trap of being a featureless box. The Odyssey’s monolithic smooth lines are broken up by the chrome ringing the windows, which dips at the rear to provide an asymmetrical, interesting look that helps to break up the box-like lines. Flush-mounted headlights and trim keep it smooth. At the rear, new LED taillights provide a striking look.
It’s enough to stop you from thinking “minivan” is synonymous with “punishment.” The Odyssey offers a comfortable ride, good looks, and confident driving manners, enabling the driver to focus on all of his or her tasks at hand. Pricing starts at $28,825, but doesn’t stay there for long. Minivans are best when they’re optioned up. The top-level Touring Elite model can be equipped with navigation, the HondaVAC, a multi-angle backup camera, the wide-angle rear entertainment system, a blind spot warning system and more, and it stickers for $44,450.
