Honda Odyssey 2021 review

2021 Honda Odyssey: Vilx7
Safety Rating
engine's type	2.4L
fuel type	Regular unleaded gasoline
Fuel efficiency	8l / 100km
Landing	7 Places
Price from	$42,600

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 8/10

The 2021 Honda Odyssey range starts at $44,250 pre-travel for the base Vi L7 and goes up to $51,150 for the top-of-the-line Vi L7 we have.

Compared to the Kia Carnival (starting at $46,880) and the van-based Toyota Granvia (starting at $64,090), the Honda Odyssey is more affordable but doesn't skimp on equipment to keep the price down.

The 2021 Odyssey comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, push-button start, second- and third-row air vents, and a power rear passenger door, while new for this year's update is a 7.0-inch custom tachometer, fresh leather steering wheel and LED headlights. 

The Odyssey wears 17-inch alloy wheels.

Multimedia functions are handled by a new 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Bluetooth connectivity and a USB input.

An 8.0-inch multimedia screen sits proudly on the center console.

Moving up to the top-of-the-line Vi LX7, buyers get three-zone climate control with second-row controls, a power tailgate, gesture controls to open/close both rear doors, heated front seats, a sunroof and satellite navigation.

The Vi LX7 comes with three-zone climate control with second-row controls.

It's a good list of equipment, but there are some notable omissions, such as a wireless smartphone charger and rain-sensing wipers, while the handbrake is one of those old-school foot brakes that's embarrassing to see in 2021.

That said, even the top-end Vi LX7 we're testing here is still relatively affordable compared to the competition and offers plenty of room for the price.

Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10

Gone are the days when people transporting people could be considered dumb or uncool. No, please don't press the button, we're serious!

The 2021 Honda Odyssey features a new front grille, bumper and headlights that combine to create a much more imposing and aggressive front fascia.

The chrome elements look especially good against the Obsidian Blue paint of our test car, at least in our opinion, and between this and the new Kia Carnival, people can be cool again.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey features a new front grille.

In profile, the 17-inch wheels look a little small next to the massive doors and huge panels, but they have a quirky two-tone look.

Chrome touches also follow the sides of the Odyssey and are found on the door handles and window surrounds to break things up a bit.

Out back, it's hard to hide the Odyssey's large size, but Honda has tried to spice things up with a rear roof spoiler and more chrome around the taillights and rear fog lights.

The chrome details look good against the Obsidian Blue color of our test car.

Overall, the Odyssey looks nice and confident without straying into “trying too hard” or “too much” territory, and if anything, at least it’s not just another high-riding SUV that quickly outruns streets and parking lots around the world. .

Take a look inside and there's nothing special about the Odyssey's layout, but it gets the job done.

The switch is located on the dashboard for maximum interior space.

The first and second row seats are plush and comfortable, and the dashboard also features woodgrain accents that enhance the cabin ambiance.

The 8.0-inch multimedia screen sits proudly on the center console, while the gear selector sits on the dash to maximize interior space.

How practical is the interior space? 9/10

With a length of 4855mm, a width of 1820mm, a height of 1710mm and a wheelbase of 2900mm, the Honda Odyssey is not only an imposing behemoth on the outside, but also a spacious and practical car on the inside.

In front, passengers are treated to chic and comfortable electronically adjustable seats and individual folding armrests.

The first row seats are soft and comfortable.

Storage options abound: deep door pockets, a dual-chamber glove box and a clever center console for storage that can tuck into the center console and has two hidden cup holders.

Due to the compact engine and transmission, and the fact that the center console is retracted, there is actually empty space between the two front passengers, which is a missed opportunity.

Perhaps Honda could put another storage container in there, or even a cooling box for chilled drinks on long trips. Either way, it's a remarkable, unused cavity.

The storage options are endless in Odyssey.

The second row seats are probably the most comfortable seat in the Odyssey, with two captain's chairs providing maximum comfort.

There are also plenty of adjustments: forward / backward, tilt and even left / right.

However, despite the presence of cup holders and climate control on the roof, there really isn't much else to do for second-row passengers.

The second row seats are probably the most suitable place in the Odyssey.

It would be nice to see multiple charging ports or even entertainment screens to keep kids and adults calm on long journeys, but at least there's plenty of head, shoulder and leg room.

The third row is tighter, but I managed to get comfortable for my 183cm (6ft 0in) height.

The three-row bench is the least comfortable place, but there is a charging outlet and cup holders.

The third row is a tight crimp.

Those with child seats also note that the second-row captain's chairs' top tether anchor point is located very low on the seatback, meaning you may have to maximize the length of the strap to get it there.

Also, because of the captain's chairs, the top webbing can be knocked off quite easily, as the inner shoulders of the seats are smooth, so there is nothing for the webbing to catch on if pushed towards the middle of the car.

And you can't even install a car seat in the third row because the bench seat doesn't have ISOFIX points. 

With all the seats, the trunk will happily absorb 322 liters (VDA) of volume, which is more than enough for groceries, school bags or even a stroller.

With all seats, the trunk volume is estimated at 322 liters (VDA).

However, the trunk floor is quite deep, which makes finding bulkier, heavier items a little cumbersome.

However, when the third row is folded down, this cavity is filled, and the Odyssey has a completely flat floor, capable of holding 1725 liters of volume.

Trunk volume increases to 1725 liters with the third row folded down.

Honda has even found room for a spare tire, though it's not under the car or tucked away in the trunk floor as you might expect.

The spare is located under the two front seats, and some floor mats and trim must be removed to access it. 

It's not in the most convenient location, but backs Honda for putting it there when other seven-seat cars are just picking up a puncture repair kit. 

The spare tire is stored under the two front seats.

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 5/10

All 2021 Honda Odyssey models are powered by a 129kW/225Nm 2.4-liter K24W four-cylinder petrol engine that powers the front wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

Peak power is available at 6200 rpm and maximum torque is available at 4000 rpm.

Honda fans may notice the K24 engine designation and recall the voracious 2.4-liter Accord Euro unit of the early 2000s, but this Odyssey's powerplant is built for efficiency, not performance.

The 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine delivers 129 kW/225 Nm.

Compared to its counterparts, the Kia Carnival (which is available with a 216kW/355Nm 3.5-litre V6 or a 148kW/440Nm 2.2-litre turbodiesel), the Odyssey is noticeably underpowered.

The Australian Odyssey also doesn't have any form of electrification like the Toyota Prius V, which justifies the lower performance and pushes the Honda engine into greener territory.

Будьте в курсе carsweekly guide newsletter

How much fuel does it consume? 7/10

According to official data, the 2021 Honda Odyssey, regardless of class, will return a fuel consumption figure of 8.0 liters per 100 km.

This improves the fuel efficiency of the petrol Kia Carnival (9.6 l/100 km) as well as the Mazda CX-8 (8.1 l/100 km) and the soon-to-be-replaced Toyota Kluger (9.1–9.5 l/100 km). ).

The official combined fuel rating for the Odyssey is 8.0 liters per 100 km.

In a week with the Odyssey Vi LX7, we managed an average of 9.4 l/100 km in city and motorway driving, which is not far from the official figure.

While fuel consumption isn't all that great for a naturally aspirated petrol engine, those who want to save on refueling should take a look at the Toyota Prius V petrol-electric hybrid, which consumes just 4.4 l/100 km.

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 7/10

The 2021 Honda Odyssey has the highest five-star ANCAP safety rating in 2014 testing, as the current model is a heavily redesigned fifth-generation car from seven years ago.

While the Odyssey didn't come with advanced safety features at the time, a key part of the 2021 model year update is the inclusion of the Honda Sensing Suite, including forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control. control.

In addition, the Odyssey comes standard with blind-spot monitoring, hill-start assist, a rear-view camera, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The long safety list is a huge boon for the Odyssey, as well as having a third row of seats as well as curtain airbags that extend to the rear seats.

However, there are some omissions in the safety list: a surround view monitor is not available, and third-row seats lack ISOFIX attachment points.

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

5 years / unlimited mileage


guarantee

ANCAP Safety Rating

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 6/10

Like all new Hondas sold in 2021, the Odyssey comes with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty and a six-year rust protection warranty.

Scheduled service intervals are every six months or 10,000 km, whichever comes first, but that's much earlier than the industry standard of 12 months/15,000 km.

According to Honda's "Tailored Service" pricing guide, the first five years of ownership will cost customers $3351 in service fees, averaging about $670 per year.

Meanwhile, Kia Carnival gasoline costs about $2435 for a five-year service, averaging about $487 per year.

The Toyota Prius V also needs maintenance every six months or 10,000 km, but the cost of the first five years of ownership is only $2314.71, more than $1000 less than the Odyssey.

What is it like to drive? 7/10

While the Honda Odyssey looks like a bus on the outside, it doesn't look like a bus behind the wheel.

The Odyssey rides differently than an off-roader, which is a good thing as it feels more hunched over and road-bound compared to the sluggish and bouncy nature of some highriders.

Don't get me wrong, this isn't Honda's best handling model, but the steering wheel feedback is certainly enough to know exactly what's going on underneath, and the Odyssey always behaves predictably no matter the road conditions.

And because visibility is excellent, the Honda Odyssey is simply a machine that is easy to drive.

The second row is also great in motion, and may actually be a better place.

The seats are great at absorbing small bumps and road bumps, and there's plenty of room to stretch out and relax while someone else takes care of the driving duties.

It is a pity that nothing more is done in the second row to keep passengers happy.

However, the third-row seats are nowhere near as comfortable.

Maybe it's because they're located right above the rear axle, or in the thick and obscuring C-pillars, or a combination of both, but the time in fifth, sixth, and seventh seats isn't ideal for those prone to motion sickness. .

Maybe kids or those with stronger stomachs can comfortably sit in the third row, but it was an unpleasant experience for us.

Verdict

The Honda Odyssey is a good choice for those who want to carry a large group of people, but it's far from the best option.

The first two rows are great and supremely comfortable for those four passengers, but using the third row will depend on how prone these passengers are to motion sickness.

However, the Odyssey's biggest weakness may be its sluggish engine and mundane CVT, with rivals like the new Kia Carnival and even the Toyota Prius V offering better performance and better economy, respectively.

However, the Honda Odyssey and people carriers in general remain a good option for those who don't want another SUV or appreciate practicality and available space.