RYAN ZUMMALLEN: Today we're looking at the Honda Odyssey,
a modern minivan that actually makes practicality
and versatility look kind of cool.
These are extremely valuable traits in a vehicle,
and whether it comes in the form of configurable seats
or cavernous storage areas, the Odyssey is built around them.
Hi.
I'm Ryan with Edmunds.
Each year, we test and review hundreds of cars,
while CarMax experts buy, sell, and appraise
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For a full, in-depth article on the Honda Odyssey
and how to find the right one for you,
click the link in the description below.
At Edmunds, the Odyssey has been one
of our highest rated minivans for some time,
but recent versions have really come into their own.
This is the fifth generation Odyssey that debuted in 2018,
and it's an excellent place to start your family hauler
search.
The basics are simple--
four doors, seating for up to eight passengers,
and loads of interior space.
But from there, the Odyssey gets fairly advanced.
Inside, you have a lot of creature comforts
as well as some eye-popping features
and an advanced powertrain that makes the Odyssey surprisingly
fun to drive.
CarMax sells 2019 Odysseys like this one for an average
of about $35,000.
These prices depend on things like the trim level, mileage,
options, and other factors in the particular vehicle
you're looking at.
Now, you do have other options.
The Odyssey's arch nemesis is the Toyota Sienna,
which has a very lovely ride.
We also like the Chrysler Pacifica
for its extremely clever folding seats,
and the Kia Sedona packs a lot of comfort for the value.
At Edmunds, we know the Odyssey well
because we've actually owned several.
Most recently, we had a 2018 Odyssey
very similar to the one we have here today,
and we used it in our long-term test program,
where we buy, drive, and write about our ownership experience
over the course of about a year.
We asked a lot of our Odyssey, and all
of that hauling and soccer team ferrying
has given us some unique insights.
So let's open up those super sweet sliding doors.
Let's take a closer look inside.
Ooh.
Inside the Odyssey, one of the first things you'll notice
is there's a lot of room to move around.
Just one second.
In the front, in some ways, it even
feels like being in a sedan.
The seat has a lot of adjustability
to it, so it's easy to find a comfortable seated position,
and the steering wheel is also manually adjustable.
But what I really want to show you is in the back.
Here we go.
All right, so here's the thing about these seats.
If you take out the middle section,
they can actually slide from side to side, laterally.
So what's the advantage of having seats that can do this?
Well, it definitely makes it easier for taller people,
like me, to get from the door all the way into the third row.
It's a unique feature for the class,
and we like the way that it makes
it easy to load cargo and passengers.
Easy peasy.
Odyss-easy.
There are also loads of cool features in the Odyssey.
This EX-L model gets a sunroof and power liftgate,
while the EX-L with navigation and RES trim
also adds an intercom.
If you find a Touring, that comes
with the legendary built-in vacuum
cleaner plus a cabin camera.
All the way up at the elite trim,
there are ventilated seats, a wireless charger,
and 11-speaker stereo system.
This is one loaded minivan.
Tech wise, base LX versions of the Odyssey
only get a five-inch screen with Bluetooth capability.
So we recommend looking for an EX trim or higher
like this EX-L. Those get an eight-inch screen
with standard Apple carplay and Android auto.
You also score some driver assistance features
like adaptive cruise control to keep a set distance between you
and the vehicle in front plus blind spot monitoring and lane
departure warning as an extra set of eyes and ears
around you.
Well, since I'm already here, why don't we
find out how it is on the road.
Every Odyssey from 2018 and on is powered by a 3.5 liter V6
engine under the hood.
It's connected to a nine-speed automatic transmission
in most models like this one, while Touring and elite models
get a 10-speed automatic.
That's right.
I said 10 speed.
What, are they trying to win minivan drag races
or something?
Yes.
Yes, they are.
The V6 is packing 280 horsepower and 262 pound feet of torque,
and it feels good under your foot.
Even loaded down with a full debate team
roster in the back seats, you won't
have trouble accelerating onto freeways or making a pass.
The trade off is a rather stiff suspension for a minivan.
You're going to feel more cracks and bumps in the road
than you would in a Sienna, a Pacifica, or even a Sedona.
If ride comfort is the most important thing to you,
we recommend you take a look at those models,
where the Odyssey XL is the feeling
you get behind the wheel.
We really like its steering and handling abilities.
Listen, it's a minivan.
Have some fun.
If cargo space is the most important aspect to you,
now is your time.
Open up the back of the Odyssey, and you'll
notice a sizable cargo hold.
At up to 38.6 cubic feet of space behind the third row,
the Odyssey has one of the largest volume
figures in its class.
And I especially like this deep underfloor storage
area where you can keep wet and dirty gear out of the way.
And if you have kids, you're going
to have wet and dirty gear.
Fold down that third row using these handles.
Some rivals offer a power button,
but it's not overly difficult to do on your own.
Once they're down and if you remove the second row,
the Odyssey has a huge 158 cubic feet of space, which is a lot.
If you have passengers back here often,
we don't advise taking out the second row
all the time because it's pretty big and clunky.
One sore point that has stuck out
over the course of our Edmunds testing
is the area of fuel efficiency.
On paper, the figures work.
The Odyssey has an EPA-rated 22 mpg combined,
which is comparable to other minivans with front wheel
drive.
However, we've struggled to match that number,
both in our real-world evaluation route
and our long-term testing.
So just be aware that you may have
trouble meeting the figure you think you're signing up for.
In our experience, other minivans
don't really have that problem.
If you appreciate function over form,
then the minivan route may be the way for you.
The Odyssey exemplifies this idea,
putting practicality and convenience above all else.
I mean, this thing can do things that full-size pickup trucks
simply can't.
And honestly, the form ain't half bad either.
Sure, there are a few drawbacks.
For instance, other minivans will give you better fuel
efficiency and a smoother ride.
And OK, you'll have to put up with the bad van joke
every once in a while.
But as experienced owners of an Odyssey, much like this one,
we can say with some authority, who cares?
Minivans are all about meeting your needs.
In many ways, the Odyssey goes above and beyond.
Thanks for watching.
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