2019 Honda Odyssey Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byWill KaufmanSenior Editor and Content Strategist, CarMax

　　Will Kaufman has worked in the automotive industry since 2017. He has written hundreds of car-related articles and reviews over the course of his career. Will is a senior editor and content strategist for CarMax at zzdcar. Will has been featured in the Associated Press and a number of major outlets on the topics of infotainment and vehicle data, vehicle subscription services and autonomous vehicles. Will started his career in online publishing by writing and editing standardized test guides, but he has a lot more fun writing about cars.

　　

What's new

No changes for 2019Part of the fifth Odyssey generation introduced for 2018

　　The SUV may be a popular solution to the vehicular needs of a family, but in truth SUV buyers are missing out on the unparalleled packaging and capability of the modern minivan. No SUV can match the 2019 Honda Odyssey for ease of use or flexibility. It doesn't hurt that the Odyssey comes standard with a strong V6 and comfortable seats and has a list of available features longer than a junior-high choir recital.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Honda Odyssey LX 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 9A) 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

　　$165/mo  for Odyssey LX

　　Odyssey LX

　　LX 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 9A) - $30,190 MSRPEX 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 9A) - $34,160 MSRPEX-L 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 9A) (Most Popular) - $37,710 MSRPEX-L 4dr Minivan w/Navigation and Rear Entertainment System (3.5L 6cyl 9A) - $39,710 MSRPTouring 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 10A) - $44,760 MSRPElite 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 10A) - $47,070 MSRP

　　vs

　　$203/mo

　　Avg. Large Minivan

　　The current generation of Odyssey debuted just last year, and it either added or evolved a slew of features that parents or practically minded people should appreciate. The configurable second-row seats are sure to be a favorite, and the night-vision-equipped, zoomable cabin camera makes checking in on passengers a cinch. Remember, it's never too soon to teach your kids about panopticism.

　　This 2019 Odyssey is, in most ways, a cut above the competition. It seasons Honda's clever packaging with the carmaker's sharp driving characteristics, making for a vehicle that's a thoughtful and enjoyable family hauler. Three-row SUV owners won't know what they're missing.

　　You can find out even more about the upgrades to this generation of Odyssey in our First Drive.

　　Notably, we picked the 2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon as one of zzdcar' Best Family Cars for this year.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

8.1 / 10

　　Thanks to its long list of technology and convenience features, strong performance and cleverly optimized interior space, the 2019 Honda Odyssey is a great pick for a minivan. Not many vehicles are both this practical and this pleasant to live with.

　　

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 Honda Odyssey Elite (3.5L V6 | 10-speed automatic | FWD).

　　

Scorecard

Overall	8.1 / 10
Driving	8.0
Comfort	8.0
Interior	8.5
Utility	9.0
Technology	8.0

　　

Driving

8.0

　　The 2018 Honda Odyssey is the driver's choice in the minivan class. A strong V6 gives you plenty of power for passing, while the van's precise steering and stable handling instill confidence. It's still by all accounts squarely a minivan, but it rarely seems that way from the driver's seat.

　　

Acceleration

8.0

　　There's a lot of parity in the minivan class, but the Odyssey's V6 stands out with its smoothness and willingness to rev. Even with passengers aboard, the Odyssey's V6 makes quick work of accelerating up to highway speeds or passing traffic, taking just 7.6 seconds to get up to 60 mph.

　　

Braking

7.5

　　In routine driving, the brake pedal is easy to modulate and has solid stopping power. Panic braking reveals a soft initial pedal feel, firming up appropriately with pressure. We achieved consistent emergency stops from 60 mph in a respectable 123 feet.

　　

Steering

8.0

　　At lower speeds, the Odyssey has precise, relatively quick steering that's light for easy parking-lot maneuvering. At highway speeds, steering reactions calm down for stability. There's little on-center feel but it tracks straight, has good feedback, and is still responsive to small steering inputs.

　　

Handling

8.5

　　If handling is important to you, the Odyssey is easily the segment leader. It's communicative and responsive, which makes wheeling around town in a minivan more fun than it ought to be. The suspension is also able to handle bumpy roads without ever feeling overwhelmed.

　　

Drivability

8.0

　　Ten speeds might seem excessive, but the transmission's quick shifting is unobtrusive and good at selecting the best gear for your needs. Paddle shifters are standard, which is a nice touch, too. The V6's auto stop-start system is a little rough at times, but it can be disabled if desired.

　　

Comfort

8.0

　　We like how the Odyssey is comfortable in all three rows of seating. Whether you've got a van full of kids on a road trip or you're just taking your friends out to dinner, the Odyssey should keep everyone happy.

　　

Seat comfort

8.0

　　The front seats are comfortable and supportive, so they're perfect for logging a lot of miles. The second row's outboard seats are similarly comfy with soft padding and thin folding armrests. The third row is acceptable for adults on shorter trips, though footroom is limited.

　　

Ride comfort

7.0

　　In general, the Odyssey rides smoothly over bumps. The suspension tuning is a little firmer than the norm, however, and that stiffness, along with the Elite's 19-inch wheels, means it can get a little jittery over rough pavement.

　　

Noise & vibration

8.0

　　In Elite trim, the Odyssey is superbly quiet at highway speeds. Credit goes to the active noise cancellation system and the new noise-reducing body and windshield and windows. The 10-speed auto keeps engine rpm low at cruising speed, too.

　　

Climate control

8.0

　　Automatic tri-zone climate is standard on most Odysseys, as are heated front seats. The front air vents blow hard if you crank up the fan speed. The second row's air vents are mounted in the door pillar rather than overhead, so it's hard to direct air to kids in rear-facing safety seats.

　　

Interior

8.5

　　A minivan should make your life easier, and the Odyssey comes through in stellar fashion. It's easy to get in and out, particularly because of the new lateral sliding function for the second-row seats. The mediocre outward visibility is the only downside.

　　

Ease of use

9.0

　　All main controls that you frequently use are physical buttons, and the layout is logical. The gauge cluster is almost all digital, and it presents information in a clear manner. Power-sliding doors come standard on EX models and up.

　　

Getting in/getting out

9.5

　　Sliding rear doors win over a crossover's traditional doors for ease of use every time. Up front, it's easy to slip into the seats without so much of a level change. The front doors need a good tug to close, though. The multi-sliding second-row seat gives superb access to the third-row seat.

　　

Driving position

8.0

　　It's a natural driving position and, at times, the driving experience is surprisingly sedanlike. The driver's seat has a lot of adjustment range for vertical and horizontal. The steering wheel has a broad range of manual adjustability. There isn't a lot of room to stretch in the footwell, though.

　　

Roominess

9.0

　　The Odyssey is one of the most effective people movers you can get. There is room for adults in all three rows. Legroom is plentiful in second row. The reclining third row is adequate for full-size adults, but it's on the cozy side. Space behind the third row is deep and wide.

　　

Visibility

6.0

　　It's a little hard to gauge where the front ends, and the view over the shoulder can be blocked by the second-row headrests. The front pillars and mirrors are of typical minivan size, but Honda doesn't offer a surround-view camera system, which is its only real weakness.

　　

Quality

8.0

　　Overall, the Odyssey looks modern and upscale inside, with leather seats and soft-touch material on most surfaces that you come in contact with. Everything is solidly put together with consistent panel gaps and tolerances; there were no squeaks or rattles during our test period.

　　

Utility

9.0

　　The Odyssey is still great at being a minivan. It seats up to eight passengers and has plenty of room for your personal items and bigger and bulkier cargo. The second-row seatbacks don't fold flat, so the whole seat will have to be removed manually for maximum cargo space.

　　

Small-item storage

9.0

　　There's plenty of small-item storage. Up front, there's a spot below the center stack for handbags, and the center storage bin is huge. Thirsty? You've got cupholders everywhere for all the rows.

　　

Cargo space

9.0

　　The storage well behind the third row is always useful for grocery bags. Those third-row seats aren't power-operated, but the strap and handle system is easy enough to use. Max capacity is above average at 155.8 cubic feet. The second-row seats are bulky and hard to remove.

　　

Child safety seat accommodation

9.0

　　LATCH anchor points are easily accessible for the second- and third-row outboard seats. We've yet to test the Odyssey with the second-row middle seat installed. The sliding second-row seat feature is super helpful. The seat contouring is flat, and there's plenty of room for rear-facing safety seats.

　　

Technology

8.0

　　Up front is an 8-inch touchscreen display that runs Honda's latest software system. It boasts modern graphics and is impressively quick to respond to your finger touches and slides. Modern features such as the rear cabin camera and the intercom are useful.

　　

Audio & navigation

9.0

　　Honda's infotainment system has big virtual buttons and snappy response. Organization is customizable, with smaller button shortcuts at the header. But some of the navigation operations are a little hard to figure out. The rear cabin camera monitor is neat, as is the intercom feature.

　　

Smartphone integration

7.5

　　The Odyssey comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims like this have two second-row USB charge ports.

　　

Driver aids

5.5

　　Adaptive cruise control is laggy and doesn't feature stop-and-go capability. It will probably frustrate anyone following you. Lane keeping also feels subpar, with weak intervention and guidance that ping-pongs you within your lane. Lane departure and blind-spot warning work perfectly.

　　

Voice control

7.0

　　Voice controls work with navigation, front-row entertainment and telephone systems. While you don't have to follow a specific script, it works better when you know its structure. A long press on the voice button provides access to your smartphone voice control system.

　　

Which Odyssey does zzdcar recommend?

　　If you're on a budget, we recommend the EX trim. For not a lot more money, you get active safety features and driver aids, conveniences such as power-sliding doors and three-zone climate control, and the desirable second-row Magic Slide seats. If you're looking for more, try the Touring, which gives you tons of extra features — including a built-in vacuum cleaner and rear-seat monitoring system — and the excellent 10-speed automatic transmission.

　　

2019 Honda Odyssey models

　　The 2019 Odyssey comes in six trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, EX-L with Navi and RES, Touring and Elite. In typical Honda fashion, there aren't any packages or stand-alone options offered so finding the Odyssey you want largely comes down to picking a trim that matches your desired features and budget. All Odysseys come with a 3.5-liter V6 (280 horsepower, 262 pound-feet of torque) and front-wheel drive. The first four trim levels come with a nine-speed automatic and the Touring and Elite have a 10-speed automatic. There's seating for seven passengers in the LX and eight passengers in everything else.

　　The Odyssey LX starts you off with features such as 18-inch alloy wheels, a rearview camera, automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats, a 60/40-split folding third-row seat, a 5-inch central display screen, Bluetooth, two USB ports, and a seven-speaker sound system.

　　Next up is the EX, and it's here you get features that really start to make your life easier. These include power-sliding rear doors, keyless ignition and entry, remote engine start, three-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, enhanced sliding functionality for the second-row outboard seats (Magic Slide), a removable center seat and second-row window sunshades. The EX also has more modern tech with its 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, and satellite and HD radio. But, wait, there's more! Honda also fits this trim level with extra driver safety aids that include adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning and lane keeping assist.

　　Honda starts to crank up the luxury with the EX-L. You get a sunroof, a noise-reducing windshield, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a power liftgate, leather upholstery, driver-seat memory settings, and two charging USB ports for the second row.

　　The EX-L with Navigation and Rear Entertainment System is similar but adds, as its name implies, a navigation system and a rear-seat entertainment system. The latter includes a 10.2-inch overhead display, a Blu-ray player and an HDMI input. This version of the EX-L also has a 110-volt power outlet and a cabin intercom system, which broadcasts the driver's or front passenger's voice to the rear seating areas.

　　Moving up to the Odyssey Touring gets you the above, plus front and rear parking sensors, LED headlights, automatic engine stop-start, a hands-free liftgate, an integrated vacuum cleaner, a rear-cabin camera monitoring system (CabinWatch), and an onboard 4G LTE connection with a Wi-Fi hotspot and HondaLink services.

　　Finally, the Elite tops off the Odyssey range with 19-inch wheels, power-folding mirrors, noise-reducing glass for the front and rear windows, ventilated front seats, an 11-speaker premium audio system and a wireless phone charger.

　　

2019 Odyssey Highlights

Trim: LXEXEX-LTouringEliteLX

　　

Base MSRP	$30,190
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	22 MPG
Cost to Drive	$165/month
Seating	7 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	38.6 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles