As far as minivans go, the Honda Odyssey has been a consumer favorite for years. Our test car came with the top-of-the-line Touring Elite Package. That meant safety features like blind spot indicators and interior niceties like a beverage cooler in the center console and a built-in vacuum cleaner.
Geez, this thing was plush. It’s to driving what first class is to flying. Cliff’s notes: Comfortable. Fast enough. Super roomy. Great on gas.
I’d buy one if I was a mom, if I was a dad, or if I was just a guy that had $47,000 to spend on a daily driver. One complaint: towing capacity. The only reason I have an E-250 instead of a minivan is because a minivan won’t tow an enclosed trailer. With that caveat out of the way, though, the Odyssey was awesome. Did I mention it has a vacuum? Yeah, exactly. It’s one of the best utility vehicles around as long as you don’t own a trailer.
Our Odyssey ownership has taught us just how right Chrysler got the minivan, and how far off the mark the Japanese can be when they try to copy the segment leader (which is just about all the Japanese do). Sub-par ergonomics and a lack of torque are standouts in daily use
I have to go pick up a water heater in a few. Not looking forward to dismantling the interior in sub-zero temps. Stow and go is the bee's knees.
'New' car review for used car shoppers?
In reply to DrBoost :
Wait- who copied who? Check out who had a minivan with seats that fold into the floor first. Or just about any modern feature. You really think the Japanese just make bad copies of the market leader? Despite often being the market leader?
In reply to DrBoost :
Man,
my experience could not be more opposite. I’ve got 186k on our oddy and it’s carried washer/dryers, couches, a 6 top thermador range- all with a dvd system with wireless headphones that kill the rear speakers and let the parents listen to their own thing. I don’t love driving around a minivan, but it’s been a great vehicle. Middle stow seats would be great, but it allows a low floor and space as it is.
Sub-par ergonomics, no middle row stow and go, lack of torque, higher maintenance costs, stupid-shaped rear cargo opening, inability to fit a 4x8 sheet on the floor, weird dash layout, power doors that freeze shut ALL THE TIME, power doors that are nearly impossible to open if the battery fails ( good luck to your kids trying to get out of the van in an accident, they are trapped), wide, wide, wide (despite not being able to handle a 4x8 sheet), can't make the front seat comfortable (subjective).
We put over 300k miles on two Chrysler minivans (used cars when we got them) and with one exception (handled under warranty), they were stone reliable.
Both vans had front and rear A/C working and no trans issues when they were sold well north of 225k. Same duel economy from the old-tech 3.8 as the newer Oddy. All that being said, the Honda isn't worth the Honda tax.
Boost_Crazy said:In reply to DrBoost :
Wait- who copied who? Check out who had a minivan with seats that fold into the floor first. Or just about any modern feature. You really think the Japanese just make bad copies of the market leader? Despite often being the market leader?
Jason K.
That's what they've done since day one. Toyota's first passenger car was such a rip-off Dodge and Chevy designs that some parts were interchangeable.
Fast forward to my life time, there's the Japanese MG (miata), the Japanese Mercedes (Lexus), Japanese BMW (Infiniti). It's part of the Japanese and Chinese culture. It's not considered bad form to copy (or in some cases literally steal) a design or product. It's just business.
My point was, they aren't making a revolutionary minivan here, just making another FWD minivan. They are chasing the leader and it's amazing how far short they fell considering the stability of the company compared to Chrysler, who you need to consult today's paper to see who owns them.
DrBoost said:Sub-par ergonomics, no middle row stow and go...
Middle row stow and go seats = sub-par ergonomics. So part of it depends on whether you're more concerned with comfortably hauling people or plywood.
But who's ready for the '18 Odyssey, with sufficient torque to rip your children apart?
Driven5 said:DrBoost said:Sub-par ergonomics, no middle row stow and go...
Middle row stow and go seats = sub-par ergonomics. So part of it depends on whether you're more concerned with comfortably hauling people or plywood.
A bunch of words or phrases, separated by commas indicates a list. It lacks middle row stow and go.....and.....has sub-par ergonomics
Agree with Dr Boost on the "not worth the Honda tax"
Displaying 1-10 of 25 commentsView all comments on the GRM forums
You'll need to log in to post.
