Used 2019 Honda Odyssey

When it comes to mixing maximum family friendliness with a pleasant driving experience, it doesn’t get any better than the 2019 Honda Odyssey minivan. From its cool (well, cool for a minivan) design and highly functional interior to its impressive list of safety features, the Odyssey has the game figured out. While the Toyota Sienna offers similar room, reliability and power, it doesn’t offer a built-in vacuum for cleaning up spills. The Chrysler Pacifica has a sleeker exterior and offers a plug-in hybrid version, but its long-term resale and reliability scores pale in comparison. Those looking to the Dodge Grand Caravan will notice it costs less, but doesn’t offer the Odyssey’s advanced safety features and strong resale.

While we can’t compare the Odyssey’s ride and handling to a car, it is as responsive and controlled as many crossover SUVs, and that’s saying a lot considering its rolling breadbox design. The Odyssey’s V6 is strong and silent, with great pulling power and nearly imperceptible shifts from the 9-speed automatic transmission. Those nine gears permit the Odyssey to barely break a sweat at highway speed and is a major contributing factor to the van’s 28-mpg fuel-economy figure. In Touring and Elite trims, the number of gears is increased to 10 and the towing capacity from 3,000 to 3,500 pounds. Our time in the Elite version revealed a smooth and confident ride, a hushed interior with plenty of room in all three rows, and some of the most advanced driver-assist systems offered on a minivan.

The 2019 Honda Odyssey’s cavernous cabin isn’t just packed with practicality-enhancing features and technologies, it boasts a degree of fit and finish that transcends the typical soccer shuttle. All the requisite cup holders and cubbies are in place, but so are high-quality materials and smart, pleasing design. Featuring a digital gauge cluster and a big 8-inch touch screen that’s standard on all but the entry-level LX trim, the Odyssey’s digitally enhanced forward panel makes Honda’s minivan look and feel more like what we were hoping to be driving in 2019.

The 5th-generation Odyssey has had its look toned down a bit, with a less polarizing persona minus the previous model’s distinctive “lightning-bolt” design element. The top-line Odyssey Elite boasts 19-inch alloy wheels, power-folding exterior mirrors, LED headlights and more, while even the base LX model gets 18-inch alloy wheels, multi-reflector halogen headlights and rear privacy glass. Unlike the Toyota Sienna, however, the Odyssey doesn’t offer its most advanced driver-safety features on the base model, only the EX and higher trims.

MAGIC SLIDE SEATS
In a nod to versatility, the Odyssey’s 2nd-row seats not only slide up and back, but side to side as well. The design allows siblings to sit side-by-side while creating a wide path to the rear seat, or can be positioned to allow easier access to a child safety seat.

HONDAVAC
Minivans are like rolling daycare centers, so naturally Honda figured the most logical addition to the Odyssey would be a built-in vacuum for its top models. The powerful unit tucks neatly into the rear quarter panel and offers enough suction to clean up everything from spilt Goldfish crackers to dried mud and grass clippings.

The 2019 Honda Odyssey lineup starts with the 7-passenger Odyssey LX. But Honda says the LX will account for less than five percent of sales, and we’d steer you toward the Odyssey EX that includes many more safety and convenience features. In addition to the Bluetooth and USB phone connectivity, push-button start and rearview camera found on the LX, the EX features room for eight, Magic Slide 2nd-row seats, 8-inch touch-screen infotainment system, the Honda Sensing suite of driver-assist and safety technologies, power sliding doors, remote-sensing keyless entry and heated front seats.

Stepping up to Odyssey EX-L (for Leather) will reward you with a power tailgate, moonroof and leather seats, while the EX-L with Navigation and Rear Entertainment adds, er, navigation and rear entertainment, plus the neat new CabinTalk interior PA system. The Odyssey Touring nets you the brilliant new 10-speed automatic transmission, hands-free tailgate, built-in 4G LTE wireless capability, clever new CabinWatch interior camera, the always popular — and useful — HondaVac built-in vacuum cleaner and more. The Honda Odyssey Elite adds a 550-watt, 11-speaker audio system, wireless phone charging and ventilated front seats, among other upgrades.

Every 2019 Honda Odyssey is powered by the same 280-horsepower V6 engine, and most manage that power with the help of a 9-speed automatic transmission. Touring and Elite trims, however, offer a smart and smooth new 10-speed automatic transmission. Although the 10-speed offers improved drivability, there is no change in the fuel-economy figures between the two transmissions.

3.5-liter V6
280 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
262 lb-ft of torque @ 4,700 rpm
EPA city/highway/combined fuel economy: 19/28/22 mpg