2010 Honday Odyssey minivan Photos by Nick Yost
It’s been said many times before, but it still bears repeating.
If you want to transport the maximum amount of stuff in the minimum amount of space the best container is a box, a tall box if possible. That’s why the minivan is the most sensible, most practical, most versatile vehicle available for family duty.
Over the past 20 years or so, millions of families have been seduced by the sport-utility vehicle, a large, manly conveyance that can go places where almost nobody ever takes it, gulp gasoline the way a skid-row alcoholic downs a bottle of cheap muscatel, and haul big boats and trailers that most SUV drivers don’t own.
I’m not saying there is anything wrong with SUVs, large or small. They have a role and they play it well. For many, they are unquestionably a more-satisfying alternative to the pickup truck. For the so-called active-lifestyle folks, they offer even more versatility than a minivan.
What I am saying is that they don’t make a lot of sense clogging up the streets and crowding the garages of suburbia when their primary mission is to move family and friends from place to place.
(View additional Odyssey photos in slide show.)
Based on the way most SUVs are actually used, they come in second to the minivan in functionality, ride comfort, driving pleasure and fuel mileage. And that no doubt explains why, despite the nerdy reputation, the minivans still sell in numbers so great that the manufacturers are happy to keep updating them
The long-lasting SUV craze is hard to figure, really. But, then, the purchase of a vehicle has always been more a matter of the heart than the mind.
What got me off on this tangent is the week I recently spent with a 2010 Honda Odyssey, touring version. It does so many things so well that it’s hard to know where to begin.
So, let’s begin with what it doesn’t do.
It doesn’t offer any thrills, it’s hardly what you would call glamorous, and it’s front-wheel-drive configuration rules out any exciting off-road adventures.
Therefore, you won’t find one flash by on Germany’s fabled Nurburgring, you won’t find one find one pulling up to the red carpet on Academy Awards night, and you definitely won’t find one thrashing it out along some rock-strewn river bed.
Other than that, the Odyssey pretty much has the bases covered.
But, there’s one thing you should known before we go on. The minivan I’m talking about is about to die. In a few months, Honda will introduce the 2011 Odyssey, a restyled version of the current model that will have a few useful upgrades.
The pre-production concept model is a bit sexier looking, the interior promises to have even more innovation and Honda engineers have found a way to squeeze out a little more fuel efficiency.
But, don’t let that keep you from considering a 2010 model. It already has everything most buyers want and you’ll certainly be able to make a better deal on one.
Now, let’s get on with it.
The interior is what you’ll want to know about first because that is not only where you’ll be spending all your time, it’s where you will put your stuff, and probably a lot of it.
Take a few moments to check out the second and third-row seating. Not only will these rows hold up to six young Little Leaguers, there’s enough room behind that third row for the kids' bats, balls and gloves, plus portable seats for mom and dad to enjoy the game.
But that’s not the whole story. The second and third rows can easily be configured in so many different ways that it’s possible to store lots of odd-sized cargo and still have room for up to four passengers.
With all seatbacks in place, the Odyssey has 38.4 cubic feet of available cargo space. Fold the third-row seatbacks into the floor and the cargo area expands to 91.1 cubic feet of space. With second and third-row seatbacks folded into the floor, a cavernous 147.4 cubic feet is available.
Those figures are competitive with the biggest SUVs around.
However, if you’re planning to go out to dinner with friends, don't count on the eight-passenger capacity Honda touts on many of its minivan models. You’d best figure on a maximum of six adults. The makeshift middle seat in the second row will not be comfortable for an adult and the third row is too tight for more than two adults to fit comfortably.
While there’s nothing about the Odyssey that could be considered enthusiast-oriented, the minivan is not unpleasant to drive.The relatively compact exterior dimensions, speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering and a 36.7-foot turning diameter give the Odyssey easy maneuverability on the road and in mall lots and parking garages.
n addition, the four-wheel independent suspension—MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link setup at the rear wheels— offers predictable handling and provides a comfortable ride on the open road.
The four-wheel antilock brakes—vented discs in front and solid discs at the rear—are plenty strong enough to bring the 4,640-pound vehicle to a quick stop.
And, the V-6 engine—244 horsepower and 245 foot-pounds of torque—has plenty of pep and is matched well with the five-speed automatic transmission. Towing capacity is 3,500 pounds.
To increase fuel efficiency, the engines in the EX-L and Touring editions have variable cylinder displacement. Depending on power requirements, the engine will automatically shut down two or three cylinders.
The EPA estimates overall fuel consumption at 17 miles per gallon around town and 25 on the open road. I averaged about 19.5 mpg in a week of varied driving conditions.
Prices begin at $27,515, including delivery charge, and rise to $41,465 for the fully equipped Touring model that I drove.
Included in that price are a comprehensive list of safety equipment plus a voice-activated navigation system with back-up camera; a rear entertainment system with 9-inch screen and wireless headsets; sturdy leather upholstery; 360-watt, 7-speaker sound system with auxiliary input jack; tri-zone climate control; Bluetooth hands-free cell-phone link; second-row sunshades; power-adjustable pedals; power, heated front seats; sunroof; and power sliding doors and tailgate.
If practical, semi-luxurious transportation is what you’re looking for, it’s hard to beat this well-equipped box. Best of all, the Odyssey’s price tops out where the bottom line on many a full-size SUV begins.
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