On the inside, the 2011 Honda Odyssey is as quiet as a premium luxury sedan. Larger brake discs result in improved braking ability, though the pedal does feel unsettlingly spongy. Part of the credit for this above-average drivability goes to the reworked body structure that's both more rigid and between 50 and 100 pounds lighter depending on the model. Even though the Odyssey is outpowered by the Toyota Sienna's 266-hp V6, this new powertrain feels just as lively, with either minivan able to confidently merge onto the highway or pass slower moving traffic.Ĭomplementing this extra oomph is a retuned suspension that delivers a comfortable ride and excellent handling. Touring models are a bit more responsive thanks to their six-speed automatic transmission that executes shifts quickly and smoothly. Performance is more than adequate for most people's daily needs. And if people say it's uncool, well, they don't know what they're missing.Ĭonsidering it essentially uses the same powertrain as the previous generation, it should come as no surprise that the 2011 Honda Odyssey LX and EX models feel very familiar. But all things considered it's a great choice for a family vehicle. The Odyssey is also a bit pricey compared to vans like the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan and 2011 Kia Sedona. The 2011 Honda Odyssey is a bit roomier, but the Sienna can be had with some features not found on the Honda, such as keyless ignition/entry, adaptive cruise control and all-wheel drive. Its main competition comes from the 2011 Toyota Sienna, which is also redesigned this year. Overall we like what Honda has done and think the Odyssey is still a fine choice for a minivan. A reworked suspension is also new this year, giving the Odyssey a smoother ride quality while also maintaining the van's reputation for above-average handling. More importantly, the V6 comes mated to a new six-speed automatic on top-of-the-line models to deliver snappier acceleration and better fuel economy.
Under the hood, the Odyssey continues to draw power from a 3.5-liter V6, though Honda's fuel-saving Variable Cylinder Management technology is now standard on all models. There's also a revised mechanism that makes the 60/40-split third-row seat easier to stow. The second-row seat is also more useful this year, with a center section that slides forward and a special configuration mode that's wide enough for three child safety seats. Thanks to a size increase (it's about an inch longer and more than 2 inches wider than last year), the 2011 model has more legroom for second- and third-row passengers. The new Odyssey also offers more comfort and practicality. On the inside, you'll find higher-quality materials and a new dash design that's slightly less busy-looking than before. But Honda has tried to spruce things up with a sleeker grille, more pronounced front fenders and a stylized rear beltline. The latest Odyssey is still very much a modern not-so-mini minivan, with seating for up to eight passengers, sliding rear doors, V6 power and a familiar boxy silhouette. This is still the best kind of vehicle for larger families, and new models like the 2011 Honda Odyssey promise to make the minivan, if not hip, at least a bit less uncool. But don't count the minivan out just yet.
In the past decade or so, more and more shoppers have been avoiding the juice-box-and-diapers stigma by purchasing crossovers SUVs. Minivans, it seems, just aren't cool anymore.
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