2019 Honda Odyssey review

2019 Honda Odyssey Review: 

The Odyssey was fully redesigned for 2018, so it's no surprise there aren't any significant changes for the 2019 Honda Odyssey. That's fine since the Odyssey is one of the best minivans you can get. There's a lot of cargo room, but the Odyssey goes a step further than its competitors by offering super flexible seating for its passengers. The third row can flip backward to form a bench for tailgating, and the second row slides side to side to make it easier to access the third row or keep the kids closer or farther apart. Top it off with widely available driver-assist systems and a genuinely nice driving experience, and the Odyssey has a lot to offer minivan shoppers. Unlike other minivans, the Odyssey doesn't come as a hybrid. On top of that, it's only available in front-wheel drive, unlike the contemporary Toyota Sienna.

• Technology

• Comfort

• Cargo and storage

• Ease of use

• Driving

What tech does the 2019 Honda Odyssey have?

Connectivity

If you depend on Apple CarPlay® or Android Auto™, you're in luck, because Odyssey EX trims and higher come standard with both, although you'll have to plug your phone in each time. It works well, too, with quick pairing and a responsive interface on the eight-inch touchscreen. By today's standards the native navigation looks dated, so having smartphone integration is a good way of keeping older Odysseys feeling fresh. There are about a zillion USB ports in the interior, mostly for charging, but a wired smartphone connection is also found up front. Wireless charging is available on Elite trims. Just note that you'll need to step up to the Touring model to get third-row USB ports. As for the base LX trim, it has a five-inch infotainment screen that's noteworthy only for how dated it looks.

Infotainment

The Odyssey's eight-inch touchscreen is quick and responsive, and it's bigger than most of its contemporary rivals. For rear seat passengers, the 10.2-inch rear-seat entertainment screen is a definite step up for rear-seaters on Touring, Elite, and some EX-L models, even if it blocks the rearview mirror when it's in use. Overall, the audio system sounds pretty good, even if it's not exactly concert-level quality. 

Driver-Assist Tech

The good news is that the Odyssey is widely available with a comprehensive array of driver-assist tech. On EX trim levels and higher you get automatic emergency braking that can detect pedestrians, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic detection. Unfortunately, during Edmunds' testing, many of the systems were clunky to use, with too many false warnings from the automatic emergency braking, and the adaptive cruise was slow to respond. Still, it's better to have them than not. The Odyssey comes standard with a sharp-looking rearview camera, but it isn't available with a 360-degree view system like you can find in other vans, or other Hondas for that matter. 

How comfortable is the 2019 Honda Odyssey?

Front Seating

It's hard to imagine a better road-tripper for family vacations than the Honda Odyssey. The front seats are perfectly shaped for absorbing hundreds of miles a day, especially with the top-line Elite trim, which adds ventilation to the seat heaters standard on EX and higher trims. Drivers will appreciate the adjustable steering wheel, which makes it easy to find a good sweet spot regardless of their body shape. The seat memory function standard on EX-L and higher trims is linked to the key fob, meaning it'll return to your favorite spot whenever you drive.  

Rear Seating

The second-row seating on the Odyssey is one of its highlights. The outboard positions are nearly as comfortable as the front seats, and the standard three-across arrangement is no joke, with enough interior width to accommodate three adults sitting side by side without issue. If you need a little extra room, you can slide the outboard positions out even farther. Alternatively, you can remove the (heavy) center section and open up a world of possibilities. Slide either outboard seat toward the center to make it easier to access the third row, or pull them far apart to prevent "he's on my side" arguments. It sounds like a gimmick, but it's hard to live without.

The third row is also flexible, although not quite as roomy. It's a tighter squeeze for three across, and there's less legroom than in other vans, so adults might want to sit in the second row on longer trips. On the flip side—literally—the third row can be tilted backward to make the Odyssey the ultimate tailgating van. 

Ride Quality and Interior Noise

Whether you're on the open road or around town, the Odyssey is comfortable on virtually any pavement. Large bumps are absorbed without much body motion, and small impacts disappear as well. Models with 19-inch wheels feel stiffer due to the smaller tire sidewall, but only a bit. It's also quiet, for a minivan. It's hard to get tomb-like silence in such a big box, but Honda's noise mitigation works well. Making things easier on Touring, Elite and EX-L trims with the rear entertainment system is an in-cabin intercom and camera system, which helps the driver to hear and be heard by second- and third-row passengers.

Does the 2019 Honda Odyssey have good storage?

Cargo 

Like any minivan, the Odyssey excels in cargo space. There's nearly 33 cubic feet of cargo space behind the split-folding third row, and with the tug of a strap, the third row folds into the floor, more than doubling the cargo room. This means groceries and luggage for a family trip can fit easily. Maxing out the Odyssey's cargo room is a hassle, though, since the bulky second-row seats need to be removed. It's not as easy as folding the second-row seats into the floor like the Chrysler Pacifica, but the Odyssey's seats are more comfortable. Plus, the fact that they do come out entirely gives the Odyssey a leg up against the Toyota Sienna, which has fixed second-row seats.  

Storage

There's enough small-item storage in the Odyssey that you're likely to wind up losing things. There's space between the front seats for a large purse or computer bag, and the center console itself has plenty of room for other items. The top of the center console has a high enough wall that things you want easy access to can sit there without fear of sliding off and disappearing under a seat. The door pockets are plenty big for just about anything else, and there's even a hook in the passenger's footwell for hanging bags or a purse. Not surprisingly, there's a plethora of cupholders as well. 

How easy is the 2019 Honda Odyssey to use?

Entry, Exit, and Car Seats

Compared to an SUV, a minivan like the Odyssey is closer to the ground, making it easy for passengers and the driver to get in and out without a problem. Even smaller kids can climb up with little assistance, and if you or your passengers have mobility issues, the seats are nearly at hip level, making it easy to slide in. Of course, huge power-sliding doors and wide-opening front doors help tremendously.

If you're going to use child seats, there are six available positions in the Odyssey. You can also fit three child seats across the second row at the same time, and since the three positions can slide fore and aft independently, it's easy to position everyone within easy reach. The lower anchors are easy enough to reach, as are the upper tethers. One note: The Odyssey's rear vents are mounted on the pillars rather than the ceiling, so infants in rear-facing car seats may not be as comfy as they would be in other vans. 

Interior Layout and Visibility

While many car companies are moving to touch-sensitive controls, the Odyssey continues to use buttons and switches for many functions, such as climate controls, which are much easier to use. There are still a lot of functions dependent on the touchscreen, but even those are easy enough to use, and things like the in-cabin camera and intercom have their own dedicated touch spots to make them easy to find. Honda's push-button shifter is a little odd, but it's easy enough to get used to. 

Visibility out of the front and sides is good, and the standard blind-spot warning is an appreciated asset when changing lanes. The Odyssey comes standard with a rearview camera with multiple viewing angles, but it isn't available with a 360-degree camera system like its competition.

What’s the 2019 Honda Odyssey like to drive?

Driving

While the Odyssey has the cargo and passenger space expected of a minivan, it comes with something rare for the class: driver satisfaction. The Odyssey's V6 engine puts out 280 horsepower, scooting it from a standstill to 60 mph in less than 8 seconds. That's not bad for an eight-passenger family hauler, and it means you can get to freeway speeds without issue, even with a full load of passengers and their stuff. The smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission on Touring and Elite trims usually picks the right gear for the situation, but the Odyssey also has paddles on the steering wheel so you can select your own gear. The nine-speed automatic on the rest of the lineup feels unrefined, hesitating when you need a downshift and occasionally clunking into gear.

The Odyssey's suspension and steering are also surprisingly sporty, at least for a minivan. The steering has a good on-center feel for long drives and inspires confidence in corners with its accurate and precise feel. The firm suspension lets the Odyssey take corners confidently but also retains a comfortable ride. All this fun-to-drive stuff has a practical payoff, too: By minimizing body motions, little (or big) tummies are less likely to get upset on long drives. 

Towing

On the rare occasion you need to tow with the Odyssey, it's good to know it meets its rivals with a 3,500-pound capacity when properly equipped. That's not a huge amount, but it's enough for a small camping trailer and helpful in a pinch. 

Fuel Economy

The Odyssey has only one engine and transmission and is only available in front-wheel drive. Whether you choose the nine-speed automatic or the 10-speed, EPA-estimated 22 mpg combined score compares well against other V6-powered vans, but it can't touch the hybrid version of the Chrysler Pacifica (30 mpg). 

EPA Fuel Economy Estimates