The Ultimate Honda Odyssey Buyer's Guide: A Family's Best Friend

Are you in search of the perfect family minivan that combines style, practicality, and an extensive list of features? Look no further! We’ve got the ultimate Honda Odyssey Buyer’s Guide to help you explore this family’s best friend. Let’s embark on this journey to discover what makes the Odyssey stand out from the competition.

The Honda Odyssey has long been a favorite among families looking for a reliable and well-equipped minivan. With the latest updates in exterior design, interior features, and performance specs, it’s no wonder the Odyssey remains a top choice for many. Stay informed with the latest honda odyssey news to make the best decision for your family’s transportation needs.

We will examine the unique features of the Honda Odyssey that make this minivan a top choice for families.

Exterior Design

The Honda Odyssey distinguishes itself through its sleek and modern design. The latest model features powerful and efficient LED headlights, a stylish blackout grille with a chrome accent, and sliding rear doors that add convenience and curb appeal. You can choose from various colors such as ‘Premium Twinkle Black’, ‘Obsidian Blue’, ‘Super Platinum Silver’, and ‘Platinum White’ to make your Odyssey truly your own.

The Honda Odyssey offers both style and practicality. Some of its notable features include:

• 17-inch wheels for a smooth and comfortable ride
• LED headlights for better visibility during nighttime drives
• Wider and more even distribution of light to spot obstacles and hazards

With these features, the Honda Odyssey has a striking presence on the road, surpassing its previous model.

Interior Features

Step inside the Honda Odyssey, and you’ll immediately notice its comfortable and spacious interior. Some features include:

• Soft-touch dashboard materials
• Woodgrain accents on the Vi LX7 model
• Satellite navigation
• Reverse camera
• Air vents in all three rows of seating

These features create an inviting atmosphere and ensure everyone stays comfortable during the journey.

Climate control is available for the base grade, while the Vi LX7 offers three-zone climate control, including a rear control panel, providing customized comfort for all passengers. With these interior features, your family will enjoy every moment spent in the Odyssey.

Performance and Engine Specs

Under the hood of the 2021 Honda Odyssey, you’ll find:

• A naturally-aspirated 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine
• 280 horsepower and 225Nm of torque
• Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 12 seconds
• A top speed of 111 mph

While performance is important, the Odyssey also offers impressive fuel efficiency. The latest model consumes an estimated 7.6 to 8L/100km, making it an economical choice for families. With the Honda Odyssey, you can expect an enjoyable drive and great performance without compromising on fuel efficiency.

When comparing minivans, the Kia Carnival is often mentioned alongside the Honda Odyssey. Both minivans offer seating for eight passengers, making them ideal choices for families.

We will conduct a comprehensive comparison of these two popular minivans, with particular attention to seating capacity, technology, and safety features.

Seating Capacity and Comfort

The Honda Odyssey and Kia Carnival both offer comfortable seating for up to eight passengers. Honda’s Magic Seat feature provides flexible seating arrangements and configurations, accommodating up to eight passengers across three rows. The Odyssey boasts comfortable leather seats with extra cushioning and second-row seats that come with armrests, footrests, and the ability to recline flat for even more comfort.

On the other hand, the Kia Carnival offers:

• Comfortable ride
• Adjustable ventilated front seats
• Heated front and rear seats
• Ample legroom and headroom in the second-row captain seats
• Plenty of space for passengers to stretch out and relax in the rear seats during long trips.

Both the Odyssey and Carnival deliver a comfortable and spacious riding experience for families.

Technology and Entertainment

When it comes to technology and entertainment, the Honda Odyssey comes equipped with an 8.0-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and HondaLink for smart device app compatibility and navigation. The Odyssey’s infotainment system includes a 160-watt sound system, providing an enjoyable listening experience for everyone on board.

The Kia Carnival also features an array of tech and entertainment options. With a 12.3-inch touchscreen, 18-inch alloy wheels, satellite navigation, premium steering wheel, auto emergency braking, blind spot detection, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist, the Carnival is packed with advanced features. Additionally, rear-seat passengers can enjoy streaming media and mirror their devices on the rear-seat entertainment system.

Both the Odyssey and Carnival offer a wealth of technology and entertainment options for families on the go.

Safety Features and Ratings

Safety is a top priority for families, and the Honda Odyssey does not disappoint. It has earned a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and 5-star ratings in frontal and side crash tests. The Odyssey is equipped with safety features such as:

• Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure
• Advanced front airbags (i-SRS)
• SmartVent® front side airbags
• Side curtain airbags
• Electronic stability control

These features provide added safety for you and your family.

While the safety ratings for the Kia Carnival are not readily available, it is equipped with numerous safety features, including:

• Side curtain airbags
• Front-impact airbags
• Head-up display
• Forward collision warning system
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Dual frontal, side chest, and side head airbags

It also offers optional driver assistance features, such as cyclist detection and adaptive cruise control.

Both the Honda Odyssey and Kia Carnival demonstrate a commitment to providing a safe driving experience for families.

Family life can be hectic, and having a spacious and practical vehicle can make all the difference. The Honda Odyssey, known as a people mover, offers flexible seating arrangements, ample cargo space, and convenient accessibility features to accommodate families of all sizes.

We will examine the Odyssey’s spaciousness and practicality.

Seating Arrangements and Flexibility

The Odyssey offers a variety of seating configurations, accommodating up to eight passengers across the width of its three rows. The seating arrangement includes:

• Comfy captain’s chairs in the second row
• A bench seat in the third row
• The driver’s seat offers a 12-way power adjustment, including 4-way power lumbar support
• The front seats can be adjusted using manual levers, knobs, or power controls for optimal comfort.

Removing the middle seat and pushing the outboard seat into the middle position allows for easy access to the third-row seating. The second-row seats can also slide and be adjusted individually to provide more legroom, making the Odyssey highly adaptable to families’ needs.

Cargo and Storage Solutions

The Honda Odyssey provides a generous amount of cargo space, accommodating 322 liters (VDA) when all seven seats are occupied and a whopping 1,725 liters when the third-row seat is folded down. The third row of rear seats can easily be folded down for additional storage space, while the second-row seats can be removed to maximize the cargo area.

Aside from cargo space, the Odyssey offers a variety of storage solutions such as:

• Organizers
• Cases
• Consoles
• Pods
• Totes
• Trays

These storage solutions help keep your belongings organized. Whether you need space for luggage, sports equipment, or groceries, the Honda Odyssey has you covered.

Accessibility and Convenience

Accessibility is another key feature of the Honda Odyssey, with sliding doors that make it incredibly easy to enter and exit the vehicle. You can open and close the doors with a switch on the instrument panel, and some models even offer automatic, hands-free sliding doors. The wide opening ensures that everyone can get in and out of the car with ease.

The Odyssey is also equipped with a user-friendly console that offers simple controls for the air-conditioning and sound system, making your driving experience seamless. The Cabin Control app provides access to Wi-Fi and other connectivity options, ensuring everyone stays connected and entertained during the ride.

With the rising cost of fuel, efficiency and economy are essential factors to consider when choosing a family vehicle. The Honda Odyssey offers an ideal balance of performance and fuel efficiency, ensuring you get the most out of your car every drive.

We will look at the Odyssey’s, fuel consumption and efficiency, eco-friendly features, and potential cost savings.

City and Highway Driving

The Honda Odyssey’s fuel economy for city driving is rated at 19 mpg by the EPA, making it a competitive choice among minivans. On the highway, the EPA rates the Odyssey’s fuel economy at 28 mpg, providing an efficient option for long road trips and daily commutes alike.

Comparing the fuel efficiency of the Odyssey in city and highway driving conditions highlights its adaptability to various driving scenarios. Whether you’re navigating busy city streets or cruising down open highways, the Odyssey offers an efficient and enjoyable driving experience.

Eco-Friendly Features

The Honda Odyssey boasts several eco-friendly features that contribute to its fuel efficiency. The Eco Assist™ System provides real-time feedback on your driving style, helping you save on fuel consumption. The 2.4-liter four-cylinder petrol engine optimizes fuel consumption through smart engineering and lightweight design.

In terms of emissions ratings, the EPA states that the Honda Odyssey has an emissions rating of 4.5 gallons per 100 miles. While the Odyssey may not be the most eco-friendly minivan on the market, it demonstrates Honda’s commitment to reducing emissions and increasing fuel efficiency.

Cost Savings and Benefits

Owning a Honda Odyssey provides potential cost savings in several ways. The Odyssey has a high 5-year resale value of $33,185, allowing you to recoup a significant portion of your initial investment when it’s time to sell. Over a 5-year period, the total cost of ownership, including depreciation, insurance, fuel, maintenance, and loan interest, is estimated to be $36,160, covering all expenses associated with owning and maintaining the vehicle.

The Honda Odyssey is known to be cost-effective compared in price to other vans in its class, with a base price of $44,250 and a top-spec model at $51,150. It offers cost savings through its high resale value and reasonable cost of ownership, making it an appealing choice for families.

Safety is paramount when it comes to choosing a family vehicle. The Honda Odyssey is equipped with an array of advanced safety features and technologies, ensuring you and your loved ones are protected on the road. We will review the Odyssey’s active and passive safety features, as well as its safety ratings.

Active Safety Systems

The Honda Odyssey comes with a range of active safety systems, such as:

• Side curtain airbags with rollover sensor
• ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
• EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution)
• Brake assist
• Lane-Keeping Assist System

The collision mitigation braking system uses a front-facing camera and a radar sensor to monitor the road ahead and detect potential collisions. If a possible front collision is detected, the system sends alerts to the driver and can even automatically apply the brakes to slow down or stop the vehicle to help avoid the collision.

The lane-keeping assist system uses a camera mounted behind the rearview mirror to scan road markings and provide both visual and tactile alerts to notify you if you start to drift from your lane without signaling. The road departure mitigation system alerts you if you drift out of a lane or off the road and works with the lane departure warning system to gently steer and brake the vehicle back to the right course. These active safety features provide an extra layer of protection for you and your family on the road.

Passive Safety Features

The Honda Odyssey is designed with several passive safety features to protect passengers in the event of a collision. These features include:

• Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) Body Structure
• Advanced front airbags
• Side curtain airbags with rollover sensor
• Anti-lock braking system (ABS)

These features work together to absorb and distribute impact forces, reduce the risk of injury, and provide extra stability and control during braking and maneuvering.

The Odyssey’s frame structure is essential for passive safety, designed to spread out forces and stop the cabin from being deformed in a crash, which helps protect the people inside. The use of advanced high-strength steels (AHSS) makes it even safer, and the front-mounted polygonal main frame helps absorb energy in the event of a collision with a pedestrian. The body design also makes it safer in a crash with a vehicle of a different size.

Insurance Institute and Highway Safety Ratings

The Honda Odyssey has in recent years received high praise for its safety, earning the following accolades:

• Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ rating, the highest accolade possible
• Excelling in crash tests
• Meeting the requirements for forward collision warning

When compared to other minivans, the Odyssey’s safety ratings are impressive, thanks to its standard daytime running lights, blind spot detection, and lane departure warning. With its comprehensive set of safety features, the Honda Odyssey provides peace of mind for families on the road.

Staying connected and entertained while on the road is important for both drivers and passengers alike. The Honda Odyssey offers an advanced infotainment system, seamless smartphone integration, and rear-seat entertainment options to keep everyone engaged and entertained.

We will discuss the comprehensive range of infotainment and connectivity features the Odyssey offers.

Touchscreen Display and Controls

The Honda Odyssey features:

• An impressive 8-inch high-resolution electrostatic touchscreen display
• Customizable feature settings for easy control of various technological features available in the vehicle
• The display is designed like a tablet, with the Home and Return buttons right on the screen for added convenience.

Controlling audio, connectivity, and apps on the Honda Odyssey is a breeze, thanks to the user-friendly touchscreen display. With its large icons and straightforward controls, the Odyssey’s touchscreen display offers an intuitive and seamless user experience.

Smartphone Integration

Staying connected while on the go is essential, and the Honda Odyssey provides seamless smartphone integration with features like Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto integration. These features allow you to make hands-free calls, access your phone’s navigation, and enjoy your favorite music and apps, all through the Odyssey’s infotainment system.

Whether you’re an iPhone or Android user, the Odyssey’s smartphone integration ensures a smooth and connected driving experience, keeping you in touch with the world outside while you’re on the road.

Rear Seat Entertainment Options

The Honda Odyssey isn’t just about keeping the driver entertained – passengers in the back can enjoy the factory-integrated Blu-ray™ Rear Entertainment System as a standard feature on the Touring and Elite models. The system includes a large 16.2-inch screen, DVD capability, and even two sets of wireless headphones, ensuring a fun and engaging experience for passengers of all ages.

Long road trips or daily commutes become more enjoyable with the Odyssey’s rear-seat entertainment options. With a wide variety of media choices and wireless headphones, everyone can stay entertained and comfortable during the journey.

Your Honda Odyssey should be a reflection of your personal style and needs. Customising and accessorising your Odyssey can help you achieve the perfect balance of appearance, performance, and utility.

We will present the various upgrades and enhancements you can choose for your Odyssey.

Exterior Upgrades

The Honda Odyssey offers a variety of exterior upgrades to help you personalise your vehicle. With options like updated LED headlights, a fresh lower front, and a new exterior design with restyled front and rear, you can create a unique look that suits your style. You can also choose from various paint colors, custom bodywork and trim, and wheel upgrades to further enhance your Odyssey’s appearance.

In addition to aesthetic upgrades, you can also opt for practical exterior enhancements like heated side mirrors for increased visibility during colder months. With these exterior upgrades, your Odyssey can truly stand out from the crowd.

Interior Enhancements

Make your Odyssey’s interior more comfortable and stylish with a range of enhancements, including:

• Tri-color floor mats
• Leather seating with contrast stitching
• Storage pockets
• Cup holder accessories

These upgrades not only improve the appearance of your Odyssey’s interior but also provide added functionality for you and your passengers.

With interior enhancements thoughtful features like these, you can create a cozy and inviting space for your family to enjoy during every journey.

Performance and Utility Add-ons

If you’re looking to boost your Odyssey’s performance or increase its utility, there are a variety of accessories available, such as roof racks, tow packages, and trailer hitches. These add-ons can help you get even more out of your Odyssey, ensuring that it meets all of your family’s needs and preferences.

When it comes to choosing a family vehicle, reliability and longevity are key factors to consider. The Honda Odyssey is known for its durability, with many owners reporting that their vehicles have lasted well over 300,000 miles. Its impressive JD Power reliability rating of 81/100 further demonstrates the Odyssey’s dependability.

With a proven track record of reliability and a reputation for standing the test of time, the Honda Odyssey is a smart choice for families seeking a minivan they can trust for years to come.

In conclusion, the Honda Odyssey is a family’s best friend, offering comfort, practicality, and a wealth of features to make every journey enjoyable. From its sleek exterior design and spacious interior to its advanced safety features and impressive fuel efficiency, the Odyssey is an ideal choice for families in search of the perfect minivan. So why wait? Discover the Honda Odyssey and experience the difference for yourself.

Is Honda Odyssey discontinued in Australia?

It's confirmed that Honda Odyssey was discontinued in Australia early in 2022 after the closure of the Sayama, Japan plant where it was built. Honda Australia dealer had to clear out remaining stock before production ceased in the first or second quarter of the same year.

Is A Honda Odyssey A Good Car?

The 2021 Honda Odyssey is a great car with excellent performance, great fuel economy, lots of features, a spacious and versatile interior, and abundant standard equipment. It does all the minivan stuff well, offering plenty of passenger and cargo room plus powerful V6 engine.

Is the Honda Odyssey 2wd or 4wd?

No, the Honda Odyssey is not 4WD - it only comes with FWD, so it's a great option for families who want a reliable and versatile minivan.

What is the difference between the 2023 and 2024 Honda Odyssey?

The 2023 and 2024 Honda Odyssey models have some key differences - mainly in their exterior designs. The 2024 model features a refreshed front grille, redesigned headlights and a more prominent overall shape.

How fuel-efficient is the Honda Odyssey?

The Honda Odyssey is highly fuel-efficient, consuming an estimated 7.6 to 8L/100km.