Honda Odyssey. Now in its fifth generation, this affordable car may set the foundation for a grand voyage within a cozy cocoon of steel and fabric.
For 2023, Honda will no longer provide the previous basic LX trim, creating a place for a brand-new Sport mid-level model. The Odyssey’s entry-level model, the EX, costs $38,835 plus a $1,345 delivery charge. From there, it moves up to the EX-L ($41,705), the new Sport ($42,505), Touring ($45,745), and Elite ($50,965). The Elite grade adds conveniences like a heated steering wheel, ambient blue lighting, heated and ventilated seats, and what Honda calls CabinTalk, an in-car PA speaker system. Excellent Acura-like equipment levels are found in the Elite, but the Odyssey EX also has a lot of conveniences out of the gate.
The Chrysler Pacifica, Toyota Sienna, and the newest competitor in the field, the Kia Carnival, all compete fiercely in the small but competitive minivan sector. The Sienna, which has a standard hybrid engine, outperforms the competition in terms of fuel efficiency, achieving 36 mpg with front-wheel drive and 35 mpg with all-wheel drive. However, it also falls short of its competitors in terms of functionality. Each minivan has a distinct appearance and feel, particularly in the higher trims, according to your aesthetic preferences.
The Odyssey’s 3.5-liter V6 engine, used in all models, produces 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. That is comparable to its competitor’s six-cylinder engines of a similar size, except the Sienna, which has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid system. The Odyssey only has front-wheel drive, unlike the Pacifica and Sienna, which are also available with all-wheel drive. The Sienna and Pacifica can’t match the 155.8 cubic feet of space in the Honda minivan.
The Odyssey has some of its aesthetic and personality advantages over other minivans in its market. It’s a good option that ticks the comfort and convenience boxes. After five generations, Honda is still seeing strong sales. Nevertheless, hybridization is the next logical step for success in the minivan market, given Sienna Hybrid’s outstanding segment-topping first-year sales figures. Nevertheless, Odyssey owner tales show that minivans with more than 200,000 miles on them can still transport people and goods without breaking a sweat. Also significant is the resale value.
The safety features offered on practically every model by Honda, including both passive and active assistance features, are impressive. Toyota uses a similar strategy. The manufacturer also provides a powertrain coverage of five years or 60,000 miles and a three-year or 36,000-mile base warranty (which includes roadside assistance). That puts it on par with Chrysler and Toyota. With a standard warranty of five years or 60,000 miles and a powertrain guarantee of ten years or 100,000 miles, Kia is at the top of its class.
Performance: Honda Odyssey
Every 2023 Honda Odyssey has a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. A smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic gearbox drives the front wheels, and the paddle shifters that come standard on the steering wheel allow you to imagine driving a faster car. The van can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 6.5 seconds, thanks to the Odyssey’s V6 engine. In the same test, with its four-cylinder hybrid, the Toyota Sienna hit 60 mph from a complete stop in 7.7 seconds.
This family van isn’t a performance vehicle, but it handles the road well, quickly overtaking slower traffic and keeping a close grip even when it’s raining. The Odyssey’s mechanical components are expertly designed and refined through many years of use. While handling is more agile than one would anticipate from a capsule-shaped car, braking is firm. Because of its height, the Odyssey may feel roly-poly on hard corners, but once the turn is complete, it swiftly regains its composure. The Odyssey is also a touch lighter on its feet than many of its rivals despite having towering, boxy proportions.
Overall, there have been no problems, and we appreciate that the sometimes inconvenient stop-start feature can be turned off. The Odyssey can also tow up to 3,500 pounds to haul a compact utility trailer or pop-up camper.
Fuel efficiency: Honda Odyssey
The 2023 Odyssey is predicted to get 22 mpg combined, 19 cities, and 28 highways. That compares well to the Kia Carnival’s (22, 19, and 26 mpg) and the Chrysler Pacifica’s (22, 18, and 28 mpg, with one or two mpg less for AWD) fuel economy ratings.
The new Toyota Sienna is, of course, the 36-mpg colossus in the room. It achieves an EPA-estimated 36 mpg in all three categories, substantially above the combined Pacifica hybrid result of 30 mpg. (Remember that the Sienna is not a plug-in hybrid, but the Pacifica is.)
Even while the Odyssey is on par with its rivals, it’s evident that Honda can and should do better with the next generation. Although the company is not as interested in hybrid vehicles as Toyota, consumers have clarified that fuel economy is still a top concern in the minivan market. Updating the fuel economy to meet the Sienna’s will give it a significant edge when used as a comfortable minivan.
Safety and driver support technology:
Several driver-assistance systems exist in every trim level of the 2023 Honda Odyssey. A multi-angle rearview camera, blind-spot detection, and rear cross-traffic warning are all included as standard equipment, as well as front collision warning with automatic braking, lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and lane departure warning. All of Honda’s passive and active safety systems are included, even on the basic model, except front and rear parking sensors, which are added to the Touring and Elite trims.
The Odyssey received top grades for front crashworthiness from the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety), further enhancing its safety record. The Odyssey received the maximum possible rating of five stars from the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).
Comfort and Space
One of the Odyssey’s key advantages is its peaceful ride, which makes the audio system’s melodious tones stand out and encourages discussion. For long road trips and quick commutes to work and school, all eight seats are well-cushioned and comfy (particularly the front two rows), and we enjoy that they are heated as standard equipment, even in the basic model. (Only the highest Elite trim comes with heated and cooled seats.)
The Odyssey has a generous amount of legroom, with 40.9 inches in the front row, an identical amount in the second row, and 38.1 inches in the back. That contrasts nicely with its competitors, especially regarding third-row space. For instance, the third row on the Carnival is three inches less roomy, while the third row on the Pacific is an inch and a half smaller than on the Odyssey. Honda’s minivan takes first place in the second row, offering the most excellent legroom in its class.
The Magic Slide seats on the Odyssey tilt forward and backward, allowing additional choices for loading and unloading luggage and passengers. These must be removed to maximize the cargo capacity since they weigh 68 pounds apiece. As far as convenience goes, no minivan has yet to topple Chrysler’s Stow ‘n Go second-row seats.
Infotainment: Honda Odyssey
Every Odyssey, from the EX to the Elite, is equipped with an 8.0-inch touchscreen that can be configured to change the dash’s appearance and feel. Although its functioning is excellent, its intuitiveness may need some work. Honda employs Garmin to provide accurate, albeit not as visually appealing, navigation visuals.
All models come included with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the Elite variant features the most USB ports, totaling four, in addition to the connection for standard smartphone connectivity. Every model, except the basic, offers an extra 12-volt power outlet in the third row, and all trim levels contain outlets in the front and cargo areas. Honda’s in-car PA system, CabinTalk, enables communication between the driver and passengers in the second and third rows. It’s an inventive and sometimes humorous alternative to yelling at the kids in the back by screaming over your shoulder.
Don’t let the kids download the ClimateControl app on their phones unless you want to start a climate war since it enables passengers to modify the temperature in the vehicle.
Storage & Cargo Space:
Families are the primary users of minivans by definition. That is accurate, but the Odyssey offers much to those who like cargo hauling and choose secured, weatherproof freight handling over an open truck bed. In addition, its loading floor is low and practical, making it simple to transfer furniture and baggage for a college student, several plants for an enthusiastic gardener, or materials for DIYers.
The 32.8 cubic feet of space behind the third row of seats is deep for freight. That comes very close to matching the space provided by the Pacifica and Sienna. The only vehicle with a considerable advantage is the Carnival, which has 40.2 cubic feet behind the third row.
The Odyssey has the most cargo space behind the second row (88.8 cubic feet), followed by the Pacifica (87.5), Sienna (75.2), and Carnival (86.7).
With the third-row seats folded down and the second-row removed, the Odyssey has 140.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats. That’s much bigger than the Sienna’s claimed load capacity of 101 cubic feet, and the Odyssey virtually has the same freight capacity as the Pacifica. The Carnival is back with 145.1 cubic feet, although third-row legroom is reduced.
There are several little cubbies and door pockets around the cottage for storage. Although the center console is small, Honda includes a nice console with three cupholders between the second-row seats. There are never enough cupholders for electronics and beverages.
Design: Honda Odyssey
Detractors of minivans often fail to recognize that no other vehicle can match a minivan in terms of passenger capacity for a given vehicle footprint. This makes it ideal for families with many generations and anybody who appreciates making the most use of available space. In light of this, a minivan’s style and design conform to the principle of “form follows function,” and creating a fashion statement might be dangerous. The Odyssey at least succeeds in forging a distinct personality, even if some people may find its undulating folds and wavering surfaces a little too theatrical.
The upright stance and low bottom make the Odyssey easy to get into and out of, from clumsy infants to older people with mobility concerns.
The Odyssey is between one and two inches longer than its rivals at 205.2 inches. That makes it seem balanced and adds to its ample legroom and dimensions. Honda has a successful formula, as seen by the success of the Odyssey. It must, however, quickly raise its design game if it doesn’t want to lose ground to more modern, flashier rivals like Kia’s Carnival.
The Honda Odyssey 2023: Is It Worth It?
Honda outfits the Odyssey right out of the gate with remarkable amenities that are difficult to match at $38,835. All trims begin with the same V6, safety features, and 8.0-inch touchscreen; parking sensors are exclusively available in higher trims. If you like black, the new Sport edition appears more laid-back thanks to its dark exterior elements, 19-inch alloy wheels, and interior black leather seats with red stitching and complementary red ambient lighting.
With a starting price of $41,905, including the $1,395 destination charge, the EX-L steals our hearts. For that sum, Honda consists of a sunroof that increases interior brightness and space. Additionally, it has leather upholstery, memory settings for the driver’s seat, a power liftgate, and USB outlets in the second row for your passengers’ convenience. We also believe the sound-dampening windscreen is worth the investment for a quieter ride.
How Much Will Insurance for a 2023 Honda Odyssey Cost?
The Odyssey has somewhat cheaper insurance rates than its rivals. Minivans as a segment, however, don’t vary from one another. The average yearly premium for a 30-year-old female driver with a clean driving record ranges from $1,864 for the Odyssey LX to $2,023 for the Elite, albeit this figure covers all 50 states. In contrast, the Chrysler Pacifica Touring costs $1,840, while the Limited costs $2,022. The Toyota Sienna is available from $1,989 for the basic LE model to $2,372 for the Platinum.
Verdict
The 2023 Honda Odyssey is a seasoned minivan market veteran, demonstrating this through its thoughtful features, plush interior, and surprising minivan performance. It is now in its fifth generation, with a slight makeover in 2021 to keep it current. Its weak point is that it doesn’t provide a hybrid model to compete with the new Toyota Sienna hybrid, which, for the first time in 2022, outsold the Odyessy in sales. Overall, the Odyssey is still a great option if you’re looking for a dependable minivan with excellent resale value.
