MINIVAN MARVEL
Honda Odyssey delivers great ride, loads of amenities
For carpooling, shuttling the kids to sporting events, or taking family roadtrips, there isn’t a better vehicle for the job than a minivan.
If you find yourself struggling with the stigma of being behind the wheel of a minivan, get over it. Minivans like the 2013 Honda Odyssey are very versatile and tough to beat for people hauling.
The 2013 Honda Odyssey can accommodate up to eight passengers, plus sporting equipment, and/or building materials.
Odyssey’s second-row seats do not fold flat into the floor, but the second row is wide and roomy, offering enough space for three car seats side-by-side.
And parents should like that the reconfigured second-row seat center section can be slid forward almost six inches (except on the base LX trim) to allow mom or dad to easily reach their child from the front.
A one-motion 60/40 split third-row “magic seat” that folds flat into the floor is standard on all trim levels. When the third-row seat is in use there’s a nice size well behind the seat to store items or hang grocery bags.
The 2013 Honda Odyssey is available in five trim levels: LX ($28,675), EX ($31,825), EX-L ($35,225), Touring ($41,530), and Touring Elite ($44,025).
The base LX model comes very well equipped, and new for 2013 is a standard rearview camera for all trim levels. Plus, the LX now features a new center stack that includes an eight-inch full
color intelligent Multi- Information Display (i-MID), Bluetooth HandsFreeLink, Bluetooth Audio, USB input, and CD library function.
All Odysseys are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 248 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. The V6 features Honda’s Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) to allow the engine to operate on three, four, or all six cylinders, helping to improve fuel efficiency.
The transitions between three, four, or six cylinders are imperceptible and the engine delivers plenty of power, even when loaded down with people and gear.
The powerful V6 is mated to a smooth-shifting fivespeed automatic on all trim levels except the top-of-theline Touring and Touring Elite. The latter two feature a six-speed automatic.
With the five-speed unit, Odyssey is rated at 18/27 miles per gallon. With the six-speed transmission, Odyssey is rated at 19/28 mpg. That’s impressive for a vehicle this large.
All-wheel drive is not available but all Odyssey models come standard with Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), as well as many other safety technologies.
The other knock against the Odyssey is that its price quickly soars when you step up to higher trim levels. Well, if you’re looking to be pampered I can tell you the Touring Elite is very nice.
My 2013 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite was the perfect vehicle for a crosstown trip with my two daughters, son-inlaw, and three grandchildren.
Not only did my tester easily accommodate four adults and three car seats in comfort, the Touring Elite features a state-of-the-art rear entertainment system that includes an ultra-wide 16.2-inch flip-down LCD screen.