Honda Odyssey Road Tests

Honda Odyssey Road Tests covers:
LIKES Wide door openings Folding third row seat headrests High standard of finish To see how the people mover class has changed and progressed, one needs to go back to the eighties. At the time most people movers were based upon commercial variants in a manufacturers range and the vehicle from a distance looked more like a delivery van with windows. Move forward to the present time and look at the new Honda Odyssey. A purpose built vehicle that since its initial release in 1996 has been constantly improved and refined.
DISLIKES Centre sash only seat belt for second row seats Slightly awkward to use auto shifter Low height of rear hatch
COMFORT The front seats are soft and comfortable although support falls away somewhat under hard cornering especially in the shoulder area. Both front seats have foldable armrests that are nicely padded and comfortable to use. The second rows are similarly comfortable with adequate legroom. The third row has a more upright seating position, not ideal for longer trips but still comfortable enough for adults.
ERGONOMICS The driving position is closer to a normal passenger car or wagon in that it is lower than the previous high perched positions of the older generation people movers. Smaller drivers will notice the front of the Odyssey drops away quite sharply making parking slightly more difficult. The instrument binnacle has some of the most modern in design gauges going around, lit in Honda’s blue hues. Though, late afternoon sun can make reading them difficult as the sun reflects off the raked glass. Audio controls on the steering wheel are simple to use as are the large, easy to identify controls for heating and radio centrally located on the dash. The Odyssey has a under dash foot operated handbrake, it is simple to operate and increases space around the drivers seat. The centre console is hinged and can be swung out of the way to make access to the second row of seats easier. Smaller items rattle around inside the console when flipped down, which is somewhat distracting.
SAFETY The new Odyssey benefits from the latest thinking on occupant safety by providing a crash compatible body that can withstand collisions from any direction, reducing occupant injury and providing a passenger survival space. Honda’s safety strategy is not limited to the occupants inside the Odyssey . Engineers have designed the vehicle to minimise aggressive impact to other vehicles. In addition to the improved body structure the Odyssey has two stage driver and passenger airbags; the Luxury version receives additional side curtain airbags that protect all three rows of seats. The front row seats have three point, load limiter equipped, pretensioner seat belts. The centre seat in the second row has only a sash type seatbelt; Honda falls behind its competitors in this important area.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ENGINE Type Inline four cylinder Capacity in litres 2354 Induction Programmed fuel injection. Fuel recommendation ULP Claimed max. power 118kW@ 5,500rpm Claimed max. torque 218 Nm@4,500rpm TRANSMISSION Type Five speed automatic Driving wheels Front
WHEELS Steel Tyres 215/60R16 Spare Space saver
STEERING Type Power assisted rack and pinion Turns lock to lock 3.2 Turning circle 11.2 metres
DIMENSIONS Mass 1610 kg Length 4780mm Width (incl. mirrors2050 mm) 1800mm Height 1550mm Ground clearance (measured) 161mm Seating capacity 7 Fuel tank capacity 65 TOWING Max. towed mass (trailer plus load) 720kg. towball download (laden trailer) 72kg NRMA THEFT RATING Points on 0-120 scale (high score best) 45.5
WARRANTY 3 year/100,000km
SERVICE INTERVALS MANUFACTURED IN Japan VALUE FOR MONEY: PRICING The two models available are the Odyssey and Odyssey Luxury. The recommended retail price for the Odyssey is $38,790.00 and the Odyssey Luxury is $45,290.00.
STANDARD FEATURES As is the case with most Hondas’, the equipment levels are generous. The Odyssey receives climate control air conditioning, cruise control, anti–lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution, power windows and mirrors and a single in dash CD player. The Odyssey Luxury gets an additional equipment boost; side curtain airbags, electrically operated third row seats, alloy wheels, a six CD stacker, leather seats and heated front seats are the major additions.
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