2021 Honda Odyssey

Introduced in 1994, the very first Honda Odyssey was on the small side compared to most other minivans and a favorite of New York City cabbies for its nimble nature. But when the automaker enlarged the model for its second generation in 1999, it made the Odyssey more practical for families without sacrificing the first version’s capable driving dynamics. It’s been a big seller ever since.

Made exclusively at Honda’s Lincoln, Alabama auto plant, the popular van is now in its fifth generation. For 2021 it gets a visual refresh inside and out along with some clever new technology. The automaker’s Honda Sensing safety suite is now included on every trim level, and the top-spec Elite gets more luxurious interior materials. That model bristles with desirable features, but all Odysseys are practical machines.

There are five basic versions, starting at just $33,515 for the base model LX. All Odysseys, includes the automaker’s HondaSensing suite of active-safety tech, including collision mitigation braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow and traffic sign recognition. The LX gets 18-inch alloy wheels and power front seats, but is fairly basic beyond that.

The $36,915 EX adds the Magic Slide center row seats, blind spot monitoring and alerts, heated front seats,  Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, power sliding doors and proximity key locking system.  The EX-L layers on leather trimmed seats, a power tailgate and a one-touch power moonroof. At $40,185, it is a solid choice for buyers who want more than the basics but don’t need some of the top trims’ fancier features.

Next up is the $44,225 Touring, which adds a rear entertainment system, cabin watch and cabin talk, Wi-Fi capabilities and 19-inch wheels to the EX-L’s equipment. Last but certainly not least the luxurious Elite, which tops out at $49,245 with a hands-free liftgate, wireless phone charging, premium audio system and heated/ventilated front seats. All prices include a $1,225 destination fee.

Regardless of trim, every Odyssey is powered by a 3.5L V-6 engine delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The V6 provides plenty of pep for this people mover, and it’s beautifully responsive, enabling easy acceleration and safe highway passing. The Odyssey can feel a little squishy in hard cornering because of its height, but quickly regains composure on straightaways and sweepers. Every Odyssey also has a 3,500-pound towing capacity, enough for a small utility trailer when needed.

The Odyssey can’t match the hybrid fuel economy of the Chrysler Pacifica or Toyota Sienna, but at 19 mpg city, 28 highway and 22 combined it matches or betters all non-hybrid rivals. 

Honda knows how to make minivans user friendly, and it knows its audience: parents. The Odyssey was the first minivan to offer an on-board vacuum and in 2018 this generation of the Odyssey became the first to include cabin view cameras for a bird’s eye view of rear passengers. Both are boons to parents with little ones, but Honda builds in features for older kids, too. 

The optional media console allows passengers to connect via Bluetooth and use the social playlist feature so everyone can play their music over the car’s speakers, just one of the things tweens and teens will enjoy. The Elite includes charging ports for every row, so there’s no more passing phones or tablets up to the front to take turns charging. Bonus? Wi-Fi for everyone, a feature also offered on the less-expensive Touring.

The Odyssey’s front seats are plenty comfortable for long trips, as are the optional second-row bucket seats. The well-thought-out center console doesn’t crowd the driver as in the Toyota Sienna. The open area between the dash and the console on the Honda gives passengers a much roomier feeling and provides space for keeping a larger handbag or backpack handy. There’s also a hidden drawer under the console and a deep storage compartment under the armrest.

The Magic Slide second row makes access to the third row a breeze and allows center row passengers to sit side by side or apart. Alternatively, it enables moving a small child further from the window where the sun may shine in her eyes. The second row can also slide forward and back to provide additional legroom for the third-row passengers. Even if they’re sitting behind six-footers, third row riders will find the bench seat roomy and welcoming with plenty of drink holders and, on the Elite, charging for all their devices. 

Really, the third row is the main selling point of any minivan, and the Odyssey has more legroom in the wayback than either the Pacifica or Kia Carnival, though the Sienna has fractionally more by the numbers.

Minivans are also about cargo space, and the Odyssey boasts a class-leading 158 cubic-feet of volume with all the seats folded, though the higher trims have a little less at 155.7. With the third row stowed, there are 92 cubic-feet. By contrast, the Sienna only has 101 cubic feet with all of its seats stowed. The Pacifica (140.5 cubic-feet) and Carnival (145.1) also fall short.

There is a slight catch, however. The Odyssey’s second row seats do not fold into the floor like the Pacifica’s. Instead, they must be removed to achieve a flat-floor cargo area for hauling items like full sheets of plywood. With 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row a family will have enough room to haul groceries or luggage for everyone. There are even hooks on the seat bottoms to help keep grocery bags upright on the journey home. 

Above all, the Honda is focused on keeping the Odyssey’s passengers safe. The extensive HondaSensing suite and a solid structure, as evidenced by the van’s high marks from IIHS and NHTSA, are supported by many other systems. Responsive driver alerts like blind spot monitoring with easy to see indicators give the driver peace of mind on a busy highway. If a rear door has been opened prior to driving, the on-board rear seat reminder will alert the driver to check the rear seats before exiting the vehicle.