Honda Odyssey 2012 - USA !
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews...honda_odyssey/
This year, Automobile Magazine choose the Honda Odyssey as one of its ten All-Stars, the only minivan to make the list. It's not hard to see why the Odyssey would be so honored, but it's actually my least favorite minivan to drive.
Top-notch powertrain
The Odyssey Touring Elite gets the best fuel economy of any minivan, at 19/28 mpg. (The LX, EX, and EX-L Odyssey models, which have a five-speed automatic rather than six-speed, are rated at a still-impressive 18/27 mpg). At the same time, and despite its 248-hp power rating being the lowest in the segment, the 3.5-liter V-6 provides peppy acceleration. The six-speed automatic works well. Chassis tuning is also pretty good, with no notable floatiness. Bum steer
So what's the problem? It's the steering, which is just awful. It's ridiculously overboosted, imprecise, and really feels sloppy. Instead of building up as you wind on more lock, efforts actually decrease. The Odyssey steering is easily the worst of any minivan, and makes herding this van down the road a chore. It doesn't have to be this way; in fact, at one time the Odyssey was known for its superior steering. Those days are gone. Lacking luxe
Speaking of disappointment, we also could have a word about the interior. Considering that my test example was a $44,000 top-of-the-line model, the workaday interior design and materials were a letdown. Gray plastic trim does little to enliven the massive dash, and it takes longer than it should to find what you're looking for in the sea of black buttons in the center stack area. Leather is standard (naturally), but it could almost pass for the fake stuff, and there's plenty of hard plastic on the dash and door panels.
Kid friendly
Of course, most minivan buyers get one because they have kids, and kids will love the Odyssey. The high-end version has an ultra-wide (16 inchs) flip-down video screen; even more impressive, it has split-screen capability, so siblings don't have to agree on what to watch. The Odyssey is one of only two minivans (the Sienna is the other) that offer eight-passenger seating, so one more friend can come along. The rear seats are quite comfortable, and third-row space is generous. Unlike Chrysler minivans, however, Honda rear passengers are denied seat heaters; perhaps the thinking is that sitting on cold seats builds character. Does driving this bus also build character? Probably not, but it's definitely one more example of something parents only do for their kids.
2012 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite
Base price: $44,485
Price as tested: $44,485
Standard Equipment:
248-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 engine
6-speed automatic transmission
4-wheel disc brakes with ABS and panic brake assist
4-wheel independent suspension
6 air bags
Leather-trimmed interior
Navigation w/voice recognition
Multi-view rear camera
Ultrawide 16.2" rear entertainment system w/HDMI and wireless headsets
650-watt AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 audio system w/12 speakers and subwoofer
MP3/aux input jack; USB audio interface
Steering-wheel-mounted audio controls
Bluetooth
3-zone automatic climate control
Tilt and telescopic steering column
Heated front seats
10-way power driver's seat; 4-way power passenger's seat
60/40 split-folding third-row Magic Seat
Multi-function second-row center seat (8-passenger seating)
Power door locks w/remote
Power liftgate
Power sliding doors
Power windows
Power moonroof
2nd and 3rd-row sunshades
18-inch alloy wheels
Blind-spot assist
Front and rear parking sensors
HID headlights w/auto leveling
Power side mirrors w/heaters, turn signals, and reverse tilt-down
Fog lights
Ambient footwell lighting
Cool box
3rd-row power outlet
Options on this vehicle:
None
Fuel economy:
(city/hwy/combined)
19/28/22 mpg
Engine:
3.5L V-6
Horsepower: 248 hp @ 5700 rpm
Torque: 250 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm
Drive:
Front-wheel
Transmission:
6-speed automatic
Curb weight
4560 lb
Wheels/tires
17 x 7 inch alloy wheels
235/60R18 Michelin Primacy MXV4 tires
Competitors:
Chrysler Town & Country
Dodge Grand Caravan
Kia Sedona
Nissan Quest
Toyota Sienna
This year, Automobile Magazine choose the Honda Odyssey as one of its ten All-Stars, the only minivan to make the list. It's not hard to see why the Odyssey would be so honored, but it's actually my least favorite minivan to drive.
The Odyssey Touring Elite gets the best fuel economy of any minivan, at 19/28 mpg. (The LX, EX, and EX-L Odyssey models, which have a five-speed automatic rather than six-speed, are rated at a still-impressive 18/27 mpg). At the same time, and despite its 248-hp power rating being the lowest in the segment, the 3.5-liter V-6 provides peppy acceleration. The six-speed automatic works well. Chassis tuning is also pretty good, with no notable floatiness. Bum steer
So what's the problem? It's the steering, which is just awful. It's ridiculously overboosted, imprecise, and really feels sloppy. Instead of building up as you wind on more lock, efforts actually decrease. The Odyssey steering is easily the worst of any minivan, and makes herding this van down the road a chore. It doesn't have to be this way; in fact, at one time the Odyssey was known for its superior steering. Those days are gone. Lacking luxe
Speaking of disappointment, we also could have a word about the interior. Considering that my test example was a $44,000 top-of-the-line model, the workaday interior design and materials were a letdown. Gray plastic trim does little to enliven the massive dash, and it takes longer than it should to find what you're looking for in the sea of black buttons in the center stack area. Leather is standard (naturally), but it could almost pass for the fake stuff, and there's plenty of hard plastic on the dash and door panels.
Kid friendly
Of course, most minivan buyers get one because they have kids, and kids will love the Odyssey. The high-end version has an ultra-wide (16 inchs) flip-down video screen; even more impressive, it has split-screen capability, so siblings don't have to agree on what to watch. The Odyssey is one of only two minivans (the Sienna is the other) that offer eight-passenger seating, so one more friend can come along. The rear seats are quite comfortable, and third-row space is generous. Unlike Chrysler minivans, however, Honda rear passengers are denied seat heaters; perhaps the thinking is that sitting on cold seats builds character. Does driving this bus also build character? Probably not, but it's definitely one more example of something parents only do for their kids.
2012 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite
Base price: $44,485
Price as tested: $44,485
Standard Equipment:
248-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 engine
6-speed automatic transmission
4-wheel disc brakes with ABS and panic brake assist
4-wheel independent suspension
6 air bags
Leather-trimmed interior
Navigation w/voice recognition
Multi-view rear camera
Ultrawide 16.2" rear entertainment system w/HDMI and wireless headsets
650-watt AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 audio system w/12 speakers and subwoofer
MP3/aux input jack; USB audio interface
Steering-wheel-mounted audio controls
Bluetooth
3-zone automatic climate control
Tilt and telescopic steering column
Heated front seats
10-way power driver's seat; 4-way power passenger's seat
60/40 split-folding third-row Magic Seat
Multi-function second-row center seat (8-passenger seating)
Power door locks w/remote
Power liftgate
Power sliding doors
Power windows
Power moonroof
2nd and 3rd-row sunshades
18-inch alloy wheels
Blind-spot assist
Front and rear parking sensors
HID headlights w/auto leveling
Power side mirrors w/heaters, turn signals, and reverse tilt-down
Fog lights
Ambient footwell lighting
Cool box
3rd-row power outlet
Options on this vehicle:
None
Fuel economy:
(city/hwy/combined)
19/28/22 mpg
Engine:
3.5L V-6
Horsepower: 248 hp @ 5700 rpm
Torque: 250 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm
Drive:
Front-wheel
Transmission:
6-speed automatic
Curb weight
4560 lb
Wheels/tires
17 x 7 inch alloy wheels
235/60R18 Michelin Primacy MXV4 tires
Competitors:
Chrysler Town & Country
Dodge Grand Caravan
Kia Sedona
Nissan Quest
Toyota Sienna
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