2017 Honda Odyssey Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　

What’s new

　　For 2017, the Honda Odyssey offers an optional acoustically treated windshield for SE and EX-L trims.

　　

Vehicle overview

　　We get it. You've got a family now. You need a bigger car. You've considered SUVs, crossovers, even large sedans. Just anything — anything — but a minivan. You swore you'd never be that parent. You would hang onto style and grace even into parenthood, and a minivan just doesn't fit that scheme. We've been there. Trouble is, you're dismissing a world of convenience, comfort and contentment by rejecting the mighty minivan. And few vans come mightier than the 2017 Honda Odyssey.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2017 Honda Odyssey LX 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$168/mo  for Odyssey LX

　　Odyssey LX

　　LX 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $29,850 MSRPEX 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $33,000 MSRPSE 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $33,950 MSRPEX-L 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 6A) (Most Popular) - $36,500 MSRPEX-L 4dr Minivan w/Rear Entertainment System (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $38,100 MSRPEX-L 4dr Minivan w/Navigation (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $38,500 MSRPTouring 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $42,755 MSRPTouring Elite 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $45,325 MSRP

　　vs

　　$203/mo

　　Avg. Large Minivan

　　Three-row crossovers look great, sure, but those third-row seats are often cramped and don't leave much space for luggage. The Odyssey's third row can comfortably seat two adults and leaves 38.4 cubic feet behind them for luggage and kid stuff. The second-row seats tumble forward for easy access, and the middle second-row seat even slides forward so front passengers can tend little ones in a car seat. And the Odyssey's smooth V6 engine returns an EPA-estimated 22 combined mpg, which is as good as it gets for a regular minivan these days.

　　These qualities are a sampling of what makes the Odyssey among the best buys in the class. On the downside, restrictive trim levels and options can make the Odyssey one of the pricier vans around, and it's worth noting that this is the last year for this particular generation (a new Odyssey arrives for the 2018 model year with engine, feature and design upgrades). But if you crave space, lots of it, and serene family motoring, you owe it to yourself to consider the Odyssey. Your younger self would approve.

　　Notably, we picked the 2017 Honda Odyssey as one of zzdcar' Best Used Cars.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

4.5 / 5

　　With a huge interior, flexible seating, exceptional comfort and a long list of features, the 2017 Honda Odyssey is a do-it-all machine. Numerous options can make it pricey, but its versatility is unmatched. Look beyond the minivan stigma and you'll find a car that can handle almost any family job.

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2014 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite (3.5L V6; 6-speed automatic). Since then, the Odyssey has received a few minor changes, but our findings are still applicable to this year's Odyssey.

　　

Scorecard

Overall	4.5 / 5
Driving	4.0
Comfort	4.0
Interior	5.0
Utility	5.0

　　

Driving

4.0

　　Natural driving dynamics have always been an Odyssey strong suit. As minivans go, driving enthusiasts will probably like this one the best. The V6 isn't class-leading, but it's powerful enough for most duties.

　　

Acceleration

4.0

　　Good acceleration from the 248-horsepower 3.5-liter V6, with 0-60 mph in 8.0 seconds. Some rivals are a little quicker, though. The six-speed automatic shifts smoothly, but power drops more than expected between gears.

　　

Braking

4.0

　　Excellent modulation around town. The pedal feels relatively soft when you first press on it, but not annoyingly so. In our panic-brake test from 60 mph, the Odyssey stopped in 131 feet, which is slightly longer than average for this segment.

　　

Steering

3.5

　　Feels light, with just a hint of self-aligning torque. Not brimming with feel. Appropriate for the class of vehicle, though, and fairly precise considering the Odyssey's size.

　　

Handling

3.0

　　This is a large minivan, and it can feel somewhat ponderous at times. It's not sloppy; in fact, it feels more deliberate than some competitors. Easy to maneuver in tight situations.

　　

Drivability

4.0

　　With well-placed and user-friendly controls, a huge windshield, light steering and ultra-supple throttle calibration, the Odyssey is a pleasure to live with despite its size.

　　

Comfort

4.0

　　Plush seats and good noise isolation make for great comfort on long trips. The 2017 Honda Odyssey's suspension handles big bumps well, but smaller ones aren't as easily smoothed over.

　　

Seat comfort

4.5

　　Big, wide thrones. Soft leather. The seats are great for long-haul comfort. There's not a lot of lateral support, but this isn't a vehicle that will have you seeking backroads anyway.

　　

Ride comfort

3.0

　　The open-box layout of minivans tends to promote chassis quivers, and you feel them in the Odyssey. The ride is fairly well-controlled despite this, and most of the time it's plenty comfy.

　　

Noise & vibration

5.0

　　Good isolation from road and wind noise. Long trips are the Odyssey's forte, and its quiet cabin plays right along.

　　

Interior

5.0

　　The smartly designed cabin accommodates people and cargo with equal effectiveness. Superbly flexible seating layout makes the Odyssey highly configurable. There's even a vacuum cleaner on board in this top-trim model.

　　

Ease of use

3.0

　　The center stack presents a vast array of buttons that can initially overwhelm. The navigation graphics look a bit old-school. The major controls are logically grouped, however.

　　

Getting in/getting out

5.0

　　The low step-in height makes entry and exit simple for passengers of all sizes and ages. The handy sliding second row eases access to the third row.

　　

Roominess

5.0

　　The vast cabin space is efficiently packaged. For everyday family use, there's no better vehicle than a minivan, and the Odyssey's seat functionality is at the top of the class.

　　

Visibility

4.0

　　The expansive windshield offers a panoramic view. The rear pillars are annoyingly thick, but the backup camera eases reversing maneuvers.

　　

Quality

4.0

　　Apparent build quality is quite good overall, though we did observe a couple of rattles (unusual for a Honda).

　　

Utility

5.0

　　You'd be hard-pressed to find another vehicle that matches the Odyssey's carrying capability. Sliding doors and low step-in height give Odyssey the advantage over similar three-row crossover SUVs. When loading children and car seats, it's no contest.

　　

Small-item storage

4.5

　　Abundant storage nooks, holders and cubbies for every passenger in every row. You're far more likely to lose something in the Odyssey than not be able to find a place for it.

　　

Cargo space

5.0

　　Tremendously flexible seating arrangement and 145.8 cubic feet of space behind the first row offer room to transport virtually anything. Lots of nooks and bins to store items, too.

　　

Towing

　　The Odyssey can tow up to a maximum of 3,500 pounds when properly equipped, which is equal to the Nissan Quest and Toyota Sienna.

　　

Hauling

　　Four feet of width and two rows of cargo space make easy work of plywood or drywall sheets.

　　

Technology

　　Befitting a large family vehicle, the Odyssey comes with an impressive level of information, entertainment and connected technology, including navigation, rear-seat audio and video, and HondaLink app integration (internet radio, social media). No on-board Wi-Fi/LTE hotspot connection, however.

　　

Audio & navigation

　　The premium 12-speaker, surround-sound system is only available on the top-trim Touring Elite. Other models are stuck with a seven-speaker system. Navigation is available on EX-L and above. Nav works well enough, but it looks and feels a step behind faster, crisper competitor systems.

　　

Smartphone integration

　　HondaLink integrates smartphone connection with the Aha app, which bundles internet radio, news, restaurant recommendations, even audio updates from Facebook and Twitter feeds. Unlike some newer Hondas, though, the Odyssey does not have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

　　

Driver aids

　　A rearview camera comes standard on all models (nav-equipped models get a multi-angle view). Forward collision and lane departure warning are available on EX-L and above models, while the innovative LaneWatch real-time blind-spot view comes on EX and above (except for top-trim Touring Elite).

　　

Which Odyssey does zzdcar recommend?

　　Buying an Odyssey largely comes down to picking a trim level that matches your budget and the features you want. The SE trim is tempting, but for the best mix of features we'd opt for the EX-L. It costs a good deal more than the EX but adds desirable extras in a daily family mover and weekend distance runner including heated leather seating, a power liftgate, a chilled storage box and forward collision warning. You can opt for navigation or a rear-seat entertainment system but not both. To save money, though, we'd skip both and get by with smartphone/aftermarket navigation and then tablets for entertainment. If you prefer factory-spec, you'll need the Touring or Touring Elite. They include both systems standard.

　　

2017 Honda Odyssey models

　　The 2017 Honda Odyssey is offered in six trim levels: LX, EX, SE, EX-L, Touring and Touring Elite. First in the batting order is the LX, which delivers maximum versatility for minimum dollar. Frills are few but still include power seats and accessories and Bluetooth phone and audio. The EX bumps it up with more convenience and tech, and the SE adds a few more useful parental touches. Think of the EX-L as a better-trimmed EX with leather upholstery, while the Touring and Touring Elite drizzle on further incremental premium and near-luxury touches.

　　All Odyssey models come with a 3.5-liter V6 engine (248 horsepower, 250 pound-feet of torque) and a six-speed automatic transmission. The LX's standard features include 17-inch steel wheels, rear privacy glass, dual-zone air-conditioning, power front seats, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, an 8-inch infotainment display, Bluetooth, a rearview camera and a seven-speaker audio system.

　　The eight-passenger EX comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, heated mirrors, power-sliding side doors, keyless entry and ignition, tri-zone automatic climate control, a removable front center console, the LaneWatch blind-spot camera system and an additional 7-inch touchscreen with HondaLink smartphone app integration.

　　The SE includes a 115-volt household-style power outlet, an integrated vacuum cleaner, satellite radio and a rear-seat entertainment system.

　　The EX-L gives up the SE's additional features (except satellite radio) but adds a power liftgate, forward collision and lane departure warning systems, a sunroof, a chilled storage box, leather seating (front and outboard second row) and heated front seats.

　　Options include a navigation system with an upgraded rearview camera or a rear-seat entertainment system with the 115-volt power outlet. These two systems can't be ordered together on the EX-L.

　　The Touring model adds 18-inch alloy wheels, foglights, front and rear parking sensors, driver-seat memory settings, the 115-volt power outlet, retractable third-row sunshades and a fold-down armrest for the third row. Both the navigation and rear-seat entertainment systems are also standard.

　　Finally, the Touring Elite adds xenon headlights, a regular blind-spot monitoring system (the blind-spot camera is nixed), the vacuum, an upgraded rear-seat entertainment system (with a widescreen video monitor and HDMI input) and a premium 12-speaker, surround-sound audio system with HD radio.

　　

2017 Odyssey Highlights

Trim: LXEXSEEX-LTouringTouring EliteLX

　　

Base MSRP	$29,850
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	22 MPG
Cost to Drive	$168/month
Seating	7 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	38.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles