Instead of starting this review of the 2024 Honda Odyssey Touring the way I usually do — where I bore you with the history of the model and go on about how minivans are better family haulers than three-row SUVs — I have decided to first tell you about my friend Chris.
Over the last two years, I got to know Chris quite well, and she is as cool as they come. Despite her children not partaking in much sports, she is what most would consider as a stereotypical “soccer mom” — middle-class working mother, not too high-maintenance, constantly on-the-go, has multitasking down to a science, and most importantly, keeps it together by always being a step or two ahead of the worst-case scenarios.
In order to be well-prepared as a soccer mom, Chris needs a vehicle with loads of space, solid reliability, and ideally with good driver assists so she would avoid a situation that would make her miss any of her children’s extracurricular activities. Chris also likes to keep a lower profile, especially regarding her wheels, so she can blend in when she wants and allow her family to take the spotlight. How does this all tie into the 2024 Odyssey? I have realized this is the perfect vehicle not just for my dear friend, but also for many other parents like her.
The fifth-generation Honda Odyssey has been around since 2018. It looks fairly conservative alongside minivans like the Kia Carnival, but the Odyssey’s styling has aged well thanks to those sharp lines, unique floating roof design, and modern LED lighting units. Of course, being in a niche segment where it only competes with three other minivans has also slowed down aging for every option in the segment, simply because there is less competition. Overall, the Odyssey looks fine. It’s hardly flashy but not offensive in any way; it’s handsome but sort of disappears into the background at every mall or grocery store parking lot. Very suitable for our subject soccer mom Chris.
Inside, the Odyssey is a standard Honda affair. Like the exterior, it’s simple and understated, but also practical and incredibly pleasing to use. I am not a fan of Honda’s button shifter design, and the infotainment is a generation older than current Honda models. However, there are plenty of other things to like, including the vast amount of physical buttons and switchgear, an above-average audio system, and a Blu-ray player that does not require any cables or streaming apps to keep your passengers entertained.
When it comes to interior space, the Odyssey does well up front, but is a bit tight in the second and third rows, especially for legroom. But it is comfortable thanks to the supportive seats and feels airy thanks to the oversized windows. There is also plenty of space in the cargo area for your gear — 929 litres behind the third row, 2,452 litres with them stowed away beneath the floor, and just shy of 4,000 litres with the third row stowed and second-row captain’s chairs removed.
Powering the Odyssey is Honda’s tried-and-true 3.5-litre V6 engine that has been in-use for over two decades. It generates 280 horsepower at 6,000 RPM and peak torque is rated at 262 pound-feet, which is plentiful to get the Odyssey going in any situation. As expected, power delivery is linear and actually sounds good when you give it the beans. If you plan to tow, the Odyssey is rated up to 3,500 pounds. Fuel economy is rated at 12.2 L/100 kilometres in the city, 8.5 on the highway, and 10.6 combined. My observed figure over a week of mixed city and highway commuting came in as-expected at around 11.2 L/100 km, and the Odyssey accepts regular 87-octane gasoline.
Unlike the nine-speed, ZF-built gearbox used previously, the current 10-speed automatic on board all Odysseys powers the front wheels smoothly, without any sudden jerks or gear-hunting. On top its creamy smoothness, there’s an additional benefit to Honda continuing to use its storied V6: unlike more complex turbocharged or hybrid powertrains, this normally aspirated engine has proven to be reliable, so the Odyssey should be relatively inexpensive to upkeep in the long run. If we had to nit-pick, the Odyssey is front-wheel-drive only; a Toyota Sienna or Chrysler Pacifica may be a better fit, if all-wheel drive is a must-have.
Much like my friend Chris, the Odyssey has a sport mode that is best left untouched, as it does nothing to improve its athletic ability other than prolonging each gear shift. In its default setting, however, the Odyssey is pleasant to drive with above-average steering response and decent handling capability. The Odyssey does have a firmer suspension setup than other minivans, but it is far from uncomfortable and I much prefer the Odyssey’s ride over many other crossovers that are simply too rigid for their own good. The Odyssey can be surprisingly fun on the way to the school’s kiss-n-ride lane.
As a family hauler, Honda prioritized safety and equipped the 2024 Odyssey with their full suite of Honda Sensing safety and driver assists. This include Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure and Keeping Assist System, Blind Spot Information, and Collision Mitigation Braking systems. Most of these technologies have become standard in the industry and it is reassuring to see that Honda has included these features across the Odyssey lineup.
The 2024 Odyssey starts at $51,970 for the base EX-L trim; our Touring tester rings in at $58,170 as-tested. The minivan segment is a narrow one, with only four players in the field, but the Odyssey offers the most engaging drive. The Sienna is definitely the top choice if fuel economy is your utmost priority, but the lack of get-up-and-go from its hybrid powertrain can get frustrating, especially on longer road trips. The Carnival trades handling for a roomier cabin, more style, and a plusher ride, while the Pacifica offers a variety of powertrains. All these options are quite distinct from one another, so it mostly comes down to personal preference.
In many ways, the 2024 Honda Odyssey Touring is not only the perfect vehicle for my friend Chris, but it is actually a car version of herself. It embodies many of her best qualities — and some not-so-good ones — in a low-key and reliable package that makes the world go ‘round a little easier. Oh, and guess what she drives? Believe it or not, a fifth-gen Odyssey like this one, but white and purchased used. She will not admit she loves it, but I think it is just her not realizing she is sitting behind the wheel of her MBTI twin. Until she reads this story, of course.
