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| 2011 Honda Odyssey |
The Odysseys look is evolutionary, for sure, but its new lightning-bolt beltline is a bit controversial. The 2011 Honda Odyssey carries over the same 3.5-liter i-VTEC V-6 engine, here making 247 hp; top Touring and Touring Elite models of the new Odyssey get a new six-speed automatic transmission, while the rest of the line does just fine with a five-speed. Handling is top-notch, and you can drive an Odyssey on tight, twisty roads with the same verve as you would a sporty sedan.
The Honda Odyssey is absolutely loaded with thoughtful touches. In typical Honda fashion, some of the top features, such as a blind-spot system, auto-leveling HIS headlamps, and a new hard-drive-based music system, are the exclusive domain of top 2010 Honda Odyssey Touring and Touring Elite models.
From a pure funk standpoint, the new Odysseys styling with its broad shoulders, sculpted nose and "lightning bolt" belt line is a success and distinct from the ultra-restrained sheet metal of previous Odysseys. Interestingly, Honda insists on leaving its sliding-door tracks visible along the Odysseys flanks.
As before, the new Honda Odyssey rides on a 118.1-inch wheelbase. The outgoing Odysseys all-independent suspension design comes over to the new van essentially unchanged and it remains the Odysseys greatest asset. Hondas Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), which shuts off cylinders under low engine loads, is now standard on every Honda Odyssey models 248-hp 3.5-liter SOHC V6. Last years five-speed automatic transaxle is standard on base LX and mainstream EX models. All the 2011 Odysseys are rated at a commendable 27 mpg on the highway.
What the Odysseys interior lacks is any sort of clever second-row seating system like Chryslers Stow N Go seats which drop into the floor.
One of the more useful options is the multi view rear camera that comes on Honda Odysseys equipped with navigations systems. Its slick technology that makes the van easier to live with.
Power sliding doors are standard on the EX or better models.
Prices for the new Honda Odyssey start at $28,580 for the base LX model running the five-speed automatic transmission.
To woo parents, the redesigned 2011 model is relying on features like an expandable second row that fits three child-safety seats, a built-in trash bag holder, and enough cup holders for 15 cans, bottles and juice boxes. To see each trim levels features and pricing, check out our breakdown of all seven trims here.
In trim levels EX and above — which includes all but the base LX — you get an adjustable second row with full-size outboard seats and a smaller center seat. The three segments slide forward and back, and the two outboard seats can slide 1.5 inches sideways, adding 3 inches of width. This allows three large child-safety seats to fit across the row.
The Honda Odyssey EX, EX-L and Touring trims have five sets of Latch anchors, two in the third row and the three in the second. I tested my Britax Marathon child seat in the Odyssey, expanding the two outboard seats and latching the Britax in the center.
Even if you have just one child requiring a safety seat, the middle seat is the safest in any vehicle. A pair of grandparents can flank the littlest in the safety seat in the second row, with three more children in the third row, and all will be comfortable
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The center seat can also slide forward more than the outboard seats, bringing it closer to the driver. The tradeoff for better access to a front-facing safety seat will be little feet kicking between the driver and front passenger. The drivers seat sits upright a bit, like in most minivans. The same V-6 engine from last years touring trim is found in all trims for 2011.
The Touring and Touring Elite models get a six-speed automatic and some aerodynamic tweaks to achieve 19/28 mpg. With leather seating, the higher trims seem too opulent to accommodate a busy family, which generally equals a messy family.
Cargo space behind the third row is unchanged for 2011, at 38.4 cubic feet. With the second row removed, the Honda Odyssey has a total of 148.5 cubic feet, just behind the Siennas 150 cubic feet. Both outdo the Chrysler minivans.
A power lift gate is standard on EX-L and Touring trims, but there is no optional powered third row.
An all-new navigation system is offered on the EX-L Navigation and both Touring trims. The EX-L with Rear Entertainment System (RES) features a 9-inch LCD screen with two wireless headphones and an RCA input — the norm for the minivan class.
It comes packed with a 16.2-inch widescreen display and 650-watt surround-sound system with 12 speakers. Rear passengers can also control their temperature and fan speed in EX trims and above.
Safety
The Honda Odyssey features a standard slate of airbags, including seat-mounted side airbags for front passengers and side curtain airbags for all three rows. As mentioned above, there are Latch anchors for five child-safety seats. The previous Odyssey was an IIHS Top Safety Pick.
