2023 Honda Odyssey Review: The final child gadget (for higher and worse) – Autoblog

Pros: ‘Magic’ center row nice for fogeys with small children; plush experience; Honda reliability status

Cons: No cheaper base mannequin; dreary to drive even for a minivan; no hybrid or AWD

The 2023 Honda Odyssey isn’t a lot an car as it’s the final piece of parenting gear. From novel options like its “Magic” sliding second-row seats and obtainable onboard vacuum to common-but-indispensable traits like remotely opening doorways and gargantuan cargo area, it’s miles extra akin to a BOB Rambler, Britax Boulevard or MamaRoo – cleverly engineered gadgets particularly designed to make dad and mom’ lives simpler. While being oriented towards children and oldsters might sound apparent for a minivan, none are so unabashedly centered on that objective than the Odyssey.

While opponents try to cover their van-ness, the Odyssey lets its van flag fly. There was no try so as to add sporty or SUV-like prospers outdoors, whereas inside, the sprint has all of the visible attraction of an ATM. The driving expertise is equally detached, characterised by free steering and a pillowy experience (not like earlier Accord-like Odysseys). It’s all concerning the children right here, and so they do not care for those who’re getting suggestions by the wheel or your eyes are handled to an interesting-looking sprint.

They additionally in all probability do not care about gasoline financial system, however that is one of many few goal areas the place the Odyssey trails its opponents. While its V6 engine is completely nice relative equally powered vans, the Chrysler Pacifica gives an distinctive plug-in hybrid mannequin whereas the Toyota Sienna is simply provided as a hybrid that will get an estimated 36 mpg mixed. The Odyssey will get 22 mpg, and whereas it is extra highly effective, we’re guessing sacrificing some acceleration in favor of an estimated $1,000 per yr on fuel will probably be a commerce price making.

Interior & Technology   |   Passenger & Cargo Space   |   Performance & Fuel Economy

What it is prefer to drive   |   Pricing & Trim Levels   |   Crash Ratings & Safety Features

What’s new for 2023?

The base LX is discontinued, making the EX the brand new base trim and the 2023 Odyssey base worth due to this fact significantly increased. A brand new Odyssey Sport additionally debuts. It mainly takes the EX-L trim and provides a black grille, wheels and exterior trim, plus purple distinction stitching to the inside’s black leather-based. The inside ambient lighting can be purple. The 2023 Odyssey is the primary Honda to supply Honda Service Pass, which supplies scheduled upkeep for 2 years or 24,000 miles.

What are the Odyssey inside and in-car know-how like?

If you have simply test-driven a Kia Carnival, Chrysler Pacifica or Toyota Sienna, the Odyssey cabin is certain to appear a bit boring. Materials high quality is appropriate, and there isn’t any faulting Honda’s means to screw issues collectively, however the aesthetic is one in every of pure performance. All of its opponents have made strides towards cabins that really feel much less van-like when behind the wheel – the Odyssey leans onerous into its vandom.

To that finish, although, it is extremely practical. There’s a walled gutter between the entrance seats that allows you to securely plop down your purse. There’s a hidden drawer that may be partitioned to maintain issues from sliding about, plus one other bin underneath the console’s curler door and a wi-fi charging pad on high trim ranges. There are extremely practical holders for cups and bottles alike within the console and doorways, when you’ll discover devoted locations to stash your units within the doorways and seatbacks. Top trim ranges even include a built-in vacuum.

The touchscreen infotainment system discovered on all however the base trim is simple to see and attain, and usually easy to make use of. We just like the crisp graphics, intuitive menus and configurable tiles that allow you to put capabilities the place you need them. We’ve had some freezing when utilizing the usual Apple CarPlay, nevertheless, particularly when additionally attempting to use the automobile’s native navigation system (which can be a disappointingly sparse affair). We additionally usually favor the interfaces of the Carnival and Pacifica, plus the Sienna’s obtainable widescreen system.

There are different novel and surprisingly helpful options obtainable on high trim ranges. There’s that in-car vacuum (which is now additionally provided by each Toyota and Chrysler). There’s additionally CabinWatch, which makes use of a wide-angle lens above the second row to allow you to see what is going on on in every of the seats, together with right into a rear-facing youngster seat (the Pacifica gives one thing comparable). It’s paired with the CabinDiscuss system that allows you to challenge your voice by the rear audio system and/or rear seat leisure system’s headphones (the Sienna gives one thing much like this). Threats of “don’t make me stop this car!” shall by no means be missed once more.

How large is the Odyssey?

Outside, the Odyssey is successfully the identical dimension because the Pacifica and Sienna (although it does weigh much less). Their interiors are additionally so huge that variations are mainly moot factors. That contains the quantity of area behind their third-row seats, which we discovered to be much more immense than anticipated within the Odyssey. You can match extra again there than within the cargo areas of most compact and midsize crossovers (and exponentially greater than you may behind the third rows of huge crossovers).

Really, the distinction amongst vans comes right down to the performance of their second-row seats. They all make the most of completely different ideas, which cater to completely different proprietor wants and preferences. The Odyssey differs with its “Magic Slide” second-row seats. We go into these in depth on this Odyssey Driveway Test, together with their glorious means to accommodate toddler automobile seats, however in brief, it is a sensible concept and effectively suited to folks of younger kids (though the Carnival’s personal distinctive eight-passenger configuration comes shut). Older children would in all probability respect the far-sliding captain’s chairs within the seven-passenger Carnival and Sienna that present way more sprawl-out area (the Odyssey’s restricted fore-aft adjustment additionally leads to a smaller hole between the seat and pillar for third-row entry). Should you be prioritizing cargo versatility, the very best wager is unequivocally the non-hybrid Pacifica’s fold away Stow ‘N Go seats.

What are the Odyssey gasoline financial system and efficiency specs?

Every Odyssey options the identical powertrain and drivetrain: a 3.5-liter V6 good for 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque paired with a 10-speed computerized and front-wheel drive. Unlike the Sienna and Pacifica, Honda doesn’t supply a hybrid nor the choice of all-wheel drive. The engine does shut down a financial institution of cylinders to avoid wasting gasoline, although, and routinely stops and begins when the van involves a cease. Still, its gasoline financial system pales compared to these hybrids at 19 mpg metropolis, 28 mpg freeway and 22 mpg mixed. The EPA says you’ll spend $1,000 extra on a fuel per yr in contrast with the Sienna and probably extra in contrast with the Pacifica Hybrid.

What’s the Odyssey prefer to drive?

The Odyssey’s steering is surprisingly free on middle for a Honda and lacks precision. It required extra consideration and corrections when driving on a winding rural freeway than we would favor (the lane-keeping help system rears its head an terrible lot), and would not instill quite a lot of confidence, let alongside engagement. Odysseys had been as soon as described as driving like large Accords. That’s not the case with the brand new one, and we favor driving all of its competitors extra.

Now, with that large outdated caveat famous, the 2023 Odyssey is however supremely comfy and quiet. Your passengers will probably be completely cosy, comfortable and undistracted from no matter’s enjoying on their units. The huge visibility and brief entrance finish make it straightforward to park, as does that loosey goosey steering. There’s additionally no scarcity of energy. Its 280 hp is greater than sufficient to spin rubber from a cease with a heavy foot, and to get out of your personal (and anybody else’s) means pulling out onto a highway with restricted visibility or merging with freeway visitors. It really sounds simply macho sufficient to make you be ok with flooring your loved ones hauler sometimes. Its normal 10-speed computerized transmission helps maintain the revs in verify in calm driving. There are even normal paddle shifters you may be happy to disregard except you’re traversing steep hills or towing one thing behind you.

What different Honda Odyssey opinions can I learn?

Honda Odyssey Infant Car Seat Driveway Test

We take a deep dive into the Magic Slide second row seats and see how an toddler automobile seat works with the Odyssey. 

Honda Odyssey Luggage Test: How a lot suits behind the third row?

Did we all know all our baggage would match behind the third row? Oh sure. Were we nonetheless shocked by simply how a lot area was left over? Also sure. 

2021 Honda Odyssey First Drive Review

There had been vital adjustments made to the current-generation Odyssey for 2021. This particulars them plus our first impressions on whether or not they made a distinction. 

What is the 2023 Odyssey worth?

Because the Odyssey now not gives its base LX trim degree, the entry-level 2023 Odyssey is the EX and due to this fact a somewhat hefty $38,635 with the $1,295 vacation spot cost. That makes it the priciest minivan to get into, particularly in comparison with the Kia Carnival. Things begin to even out from there, however we’ll say that the Odyssey’s somewhat utilitarian inside makes the $50,765 Elite trim appear to be poor worth within the face of the high-lux range-topping rival trim ranges. As such, the decrease trim-level Odysseys are extra aggressive.

All costs beneath embody the $1,295 vacation spot cost.

EX: $38,635
EX-L: $41,705
Sport: $42,505
Touring: $44,450
Elite: $50,765

What are the Odyssey security rankings and driver help options?

Every Odyssey comes normal with ahead collision warning with computerized emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning and lane-keeping help, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning, and adaptive cruise management (contains lane centering steering and stop-and-go functionality).

The Odyssey acquired 5 out of 5 stars from the NHTSA for general, frontal and facet crash safety. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety additionally gave it the absolute best ranking of Top Safety Pick+ for its high marks in each doable class however one: headlights, the place it received an “Acceptable” grade. Even its LATCH anchors got the best-possible ranking of Good+ for his or her ease of use – one thing we are able to undoubtedly verify.

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