2019 Honda Odyssey

Apr 23, 2024, 5:24am ET

Beneath its distinctive exterior, the Honda Odyssey is a family-friendly minivan with a flexible cabin that can be configured to seat eight passengers or haul up to 158.8 cubic feet of cargo. This practicality, along with capable handling and admirable fuel efficiency, makes the Odyssey one of the top choices in the minivan segment.

Overview

The latest Odyssey is a far more stylish minivan than the model it replaces. Up front, the Odyssey has been treated to a more modern-looking fascia complete with chrome grille trim and available LED headlights. The Odyssey's hood is a new design and features a more muscular look than before.

The flanks of the Odyssey retain the van's now signature "lightning bolt” belt line, but the whole look has been smoothed out for a more streamlined look. Adding a touch of style, the Odyssey features a set of floating D-pillars. Rear lights wraparound the tailgate and feature LED technology as standard.

Inside is where the new Odyssey really shines, however, with a myriad of new convenience features intended to make life on-the-go a little easier. On top-trim models you'll find Honda's latest Cabin Talk system, which uses an integrated microphone to boom the driver's voice through the rear speakers or through the rear entertainment headphones. There is also a new Cabin Watch system that allows easy viewing of the second row via a camera mounted on the ceiling.

Joining Honda's third-row Magic Seat for the new model year is a new Magic Slide second-row seat. In addition to having the ability to slide fore and aft like many second row seats, the Magic Slide system adds the ability to move the second-row seat from side-to-side once the center section is removed. The Magic Slide seat makes for a much more versatile cabin that can be reconfigured on an as-needed basis.

Older kids will enjoy the Odyssey's newly available Wi-Fi hotspot and Cabin Control app that allows the van's rear seat entertainment system to be controlled via a smartphone. That app also gives rear-seat passenger control of the van's rear ventilation system.

Materials are good throughout the Odyssey's cabin, giving it the feeling of a much more premium vehicle. Packaging is excellent in the Odyssey, with plenty of storage areas for all of life's modern necessities. The latest Odyssey features an all-new infotainment system with improved graphics and better capabilities, including the ability to run Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on select models. Honda's HondaVac returns to the Odyssey's option list for the new model year.

The Odyssey is just as adapt at hauling cargo as it is hauling people thanks to a large trunk area. Behind the third row seats you'll find up to 38.6 cubic feet of space. Stow the Odyssey's third-row seats and that figure grows to 92.3 cubic feet, depending on trim. Remove the second-row for maximum cargo capacity and the Odyssey will swallow up to 158.8 cubic feet worth of stuff.

All Odyssey models are powered by a 3.5L V6 that develops 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Volume models receive a nine-speed automatic while top-trim Touring and Elite models use an all-new ten-speed automatic transmission. Regardless of transmission, the front-wheel drive Odyssey is rated at 19mpg in the city and 28mpg on the highway.

Trim level breakdown

The Odyssey is offered in LX, EX, EX-L, EX-L Navi/RES, Touring and Elite trim levels.

The Odyssey LX model ships standard with automatic climate control, push button start, power-adjustable front seats (eight-way for the driver and four-way for the passenger), five-inch infotainment screen, backup camera, Bluetooth hands-free, LED taillights and USB charging ports.

Stepping up to the Odyssey EX trim-level nets automatic headlights, exterior temperature gauge, chrome door handles, body-colored side mirrors with integrated turn indicators, tri-zone climate control, Magic Slide second row seats, 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats and an eight-inch LCD Display Audio system with SiriusXM Radio, HD Radio and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. EX and above models also receive Honda's safety suite, which includes collision mitigation braking, road departure mitigation, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, auto high-beams and blind spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert.

The EX-L trim adds leather seats, a power moonroof, memory-linked side mirrors with reverse gear tilt-down and a power tailgate. A Navi/RES package can be added to the EX-L trim and adds the Cabin Talk PA system, a 10.2-inch rear video system and Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation.

The Odyssey Touring offers buyers LED fog- and headlights, body-colored side sills, foot-activated rear tailgate, HondaVac, a third-row center armrest, Cabin Watch, HondaLink and a mobile hotspot.

Odyssey Elite models come fully loaded with features like an 11-speaker premium audio system, wireless phone charger, ventilated front seat, heated steering wheel and acoustic glass for the windshield and front- and rear-doors.

Occupant safety

All Odyssey models come standard with dual front airbags, front side airbags, driver's and front passenger's knee airbags, three-row side curtain airbags, vehicle stability assist, ABS and electronic brake distribution. All Odyssey models, save for the base LX model, get Honda's aforementioned safety suite, which includes advanced systems like automatic emergency braking and a collision mitigation system.

Key competitors

The Honda Odyssey competes against the Chrysler Pacifica, Kia Sedona and Toyota Sienna.