Milquetoast minivan? Not this family hauler
Fourth generation of Honda’s sleek, powerful van has a library-quiet cabin, and verve
“Homer’s Odyssey. Is this about that minivan I rented once?”
“No, Dad, it’s an epic tale from ancient Greece.”
“That minivan had the biggest cup holders. And change slots for every coin. From penny to quarter.”
“Dad, I loved it, too. But it was seven years ago.”
It’s OK to gush, Homer Simpson. Once Honda got the dimensions right on its North American-market Odyssey minivan (hands up if you remember the diminutive 1995-98 model), it was indeed an epic van.
But the 1999-2004 generation also will be remembered for its transmission woes. All too often, the slushbox gave up the ghost. My neighbour went through three transmissions before trading it in.
Brand loyalists graduating from the Civic and Accord assumed the Ontario-made Odyssey proffered the usual Honda goodness. D’oh!
By the time the fourth-generation Odyssey was readied for 2011, Honda had sorted out its five-speed automatic transmission. The newest iteration rode on the same size wheelbase as before, but with a body 5 centimetres wider.
It contained a lot more highstrength steel — 59 per cent by weight — which contributed to a stiffer structure. The new Odyssey weighed about one third-grader (30 kg) less than the outgoing model.
The van retained its fully independent suspension layout (Macpherson-strut front and multi-link rear), but retuned using shocks with bypass valves for less body roll and impact harshness. The rack-and-pinion steering system got a variable displacement pump that reduced effort during parking and gave more feedback at speed. The brake rotors grew larger in diameter.
Like a wide-body Airbus, the Odys- sey’s breadth yielded some useful benefits inside, including secondrow captain’s chairs that could shift sideways to create 10 additional cms of shoulder room for the foldable seat between, with enough space for three infant seats mounted in the second row. The centre perch could also slide forward to put a little one within reach for easier inflight care.
The third row was almost as wide, with enough room for three (skinny) adults to sit in reasonable comfort. The split-folding rear bench collapsed into a deep well in the floor, an industry innovation the first Odyssey brought to market in 1994.
Up front, the console was expansive with a handsome design that incorporated a lot of buttons. The gear selector was placed a little too close at hand, making it easy to hit inadvertently.
Carried over was the familiar 3.5L, SOHC V6 engine, making 248 hp and 250 lb-ft. The newly standard variable cylinder management system worked by shifting between three-, four- and six-cylinder modes, according to the engine load. Engineers fitted active engine mounts, and a noise cancellation system pumped through the stereo to mitigate vibration and noise.
The Odyssey’s five-speed automatic transmission made a return en- gagement in lower trim levels, while a new six-speed automatic graced the top-of-the-line models.
The Odyssey earned a thorough update for 2014, with styling tweaks inside and out, and adopted the sixspeed automatic across the model range. Honda made headlines by offering an optional built-in vacuum cleaner: confirmation for some that minivans actually do suck.
By casting the Odyssey wider and lower, raking the windshield back and making the roof rack a dealer-installed option, Honda turned its big kahuna into a genuine gas-saver: we attained 8.8 litres/100 km (32 mpg) during a trip to Florida at a supra-legal 120 km/h. City driving was nowhere near as good, typically yielding 13 litres/100 km or more.
The 3.5-L V6 propelled the frontdrive Odyssey to highway velocity in 7.3 seconds, considered energetic in minivan circles. Long condemned for its noisy interiors, Honda got this one right with a library-quiet cabin (thank the active noise cancellation system), though some owners noted some wind noise around the windshield pillars.
The Odyssey starts, stops and turns with considerable verve; it feels substantial in drivers’ hands and hunkered down on the highway, impervious to crosswinds. Milquetoast may be synonymous with minivans, but not with the Odyssey.
So what’s not to like? Bluntly, Honda’s van continues to be dogged by mechanical issues.
A common complaint involves the brake rotors, which can warp with unsettling frequency. Resurfacing is usually the first remedy, then the rotors are replaced, often more than once. Equally common is an audible low battery warning that points to a bad battery sensor, or the battery itself is due for early replacement.
Another frequent issue is suspension struts that creak. Technical service bulletins specify tightening the strut mount nuts, lubricating the mount, and replacing components if the noise persists. Clicking noises during turns may indicate a need for new CV joints and half-shafts.
Engine misfires may be traced to faulty pistons or piston rings that allow motor oil to foul the spark plugs, a bad omen. With the sixspeed transmission becoming standard in newer models, there are reports of poor-shifting autoboxes (the five-speed may be the way to go).
Other maladies include broken engine mounts that transmit excessive engine vibration, and air conditioners that are weak or nonfunctioning. Oddly, a few owners have reported distorted and wavy windshield glass.
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