Honda Odyssey test drive.
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The Honda Odyssey has looked the same since 2017, and we’ve all seen tons of them around. It did get a refresh for 2021, although that’s hardly noticeable. The current design isn’t as clean as the previous one and was actually a bit controversial when it came out. There are so many unnecessary lines that go nowhere all over the place. Yet the final result is not that offensive anymore.
If like me you are not used to driving a Minivan, the lack of a high center console is a bit odd at first. The big empty space under the center part of the dash seems a bit weird, and the big center console doesn’t move. Old vans used to offer a space in between the front seats to access the rear, which is not the case anymore. So why not design a regular console, like the one in the Kia Carnival?
The Elite version I was driving is of course loaded. The seats are very comfortable and the upgraded stereo sounds great. The dashboard has a vague “previous generation” feel and look to it, just like the current Honda Passport and Ridgeline. The screen is much smaller than newer vehicles, but it really is all you need.
The steering wheel is also much thinner than other Hondas. This could be seen as an early warning about the Odyssey‘s driving dynamics: this will NOT be sporty. In case you thought a minivan would be.
At first, I thought the slot under the dash was a CD player. But no, the Odyssey isn’t that old-fashioned. The slot is for playing DVDs to bored kids in the back seats. These fortunate juveniles will be able to enjoy one of my favorite programs of all time: “The Man Who Laughs”, as often as they like. (lucky kids…)
Technology is such a wonderful thing…
The rear seats are also very comfortable. And the 3rd row has enough room. The whole thing is much roomier than most other SUVs, no matter how large they are. And that’s really the main point of a Minivan these days.
Besides the thin steering wheel, the first thing you notice when you start going is how light and numb the steering feels. Again, something I expected. It’s never vague but makes the whole thing seem even larger than it is to drive around.
The fantastic Honda V6 is as quiet as ever. This is really one of the most refined powertrains out there, with an invisible super smooth 10-speed transmission. The ride is equally smooth, making the whole thing feel like a luxury vehicle. This is something I noticed every time I’ve driven these big Hondas based on that same platform and using the 3.5 Liter V6. Like the Pilot, Passport, and Ridgeline.
The Honda Odyssey is rated at 19MPG city and 28Hwy. In my opinion, it will be impossible to get 19 MPG around town. I tried very hard and the best I got was 14/15. Which is pretty bad. However, I was able to get over 26MPG HWY. This is almost exactly what I got a few months ago test driving a new Honda Pilot Elite.
The Honda Odyssey costs about the same as the much newer Honda Pilot. You can also get AWD in the Pilot and not the Odyssey.
I personally think the new Pilot is the Odyssey’s main competition. Of course, there is a bit more room in the Odyssey. But it really feels old fashion compared to the Pilot. Although it is a big 3-row SUV, the Pilot feels more carlike than the Odyssey to drive. The interior is also much more modern. The Odyssey is just getting a bit old and is much less popular than the newer Pilot as well.
You also have zero view of the front hood in the Odyssey. Which is more like driving a giant Honda Fit. And there is no front camera. While the Pilot is the opposite, with a huge truck wannabe flat hood in front of you. Personally, I am not a fan of either.
If you need 3 rows in a Honda, the Pilot might be a better choice for most. On top of that, the Odyssey has been around for much longer, and there are probably tons of really good used ones for a lot less money.
The current Odyssey turns 6 years in 2024. You would think a new one is on its way, and yet, we haven’t heard anything yet. While we have seen spy shots of a redesigned 2025 Honda Passport, there has been nothing about a new Odyssey (or a new Ridgeline for that matter). With over 71,000 of them sold last year, it would make sense for Honda to actually work on a new one.
Qns maybe they are…
“ The current Odyssey turns 6 years in 2024. You would think a new one is on its way, and yet, we haven’t heard anything yet. While we have seen spy shots of a redesigned 2025 Honda Passport, there has been nothing about a new Odyssey (or a new Ridgeline for that matter). With over 71,000 of them sold last year, it would make sense for Honda to actually work on a new one.”
We’ve seen spy shots of yet another facelift for this generation.
I feel like Honda is falling behind with their large vehicle lineup. The Pilot is the first to get the new update but really they should quickly update the Ridgeline, Passport and Odyssey too. Overall they need a new hybrid system to replace their current v6 lineup, I was shocked they didn’t introduce one with the Pilot. The Koreans are about to roll out hybrids for their minivan and full 3row suv’s leaving Honda trailing Toyota and Ford now.