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2016 Honda Odyssey Road Test and Review

Charles Krome
by Charles Krome
August 22, 2016
4 min. Reading Time
2016 Honda Odyssey Profile ・  Photo by Honda

2016 Honda Odyssey Profile ・ Photo by Honda

The 2016 Honda Odyssey EX-L is right at the heart of the brand’s minivan roster, representing the mid-grade trim for what’s long been one of the segment’s most popular and innovative choices. Those traits go together, too, as Odyssey customers continue to be attracted to breakthroughs like the Honda LaneWatch blind spot system and the HondaVAC in-vehicle vacuum. But in recent years, the competition has begun catching up, thanks in part to fresh entries from Chrysler and Kia. Meanwhile, shoppers also are catching on to something else: that today’s minivans have begun to outrun the segment’s reputation for blandness, making them more credible alternatives for the crossover crowd. Just consider the Odyssey’s current advantages, which we’ve helpfully covered on the following pages.

Pricing

Although the entry point for Honda’s entry-level minivan is the highest in the segment — at $29,550 — it’s backed by a noticeably higher level of standard equipment. That Odyssey LX comes with a rearview camera, LED taillights, steering-wheel-mounted controls and Honda’s “i-MID” intelligent multi-information display (with an 8-inch screen).

Then, when the higher-grade 2016 Honda Odyssey EX-L is matched against similar trims from its rivals, it turns out to have a wide range of advantages. For example, the EX-L starts from $36,200, and that compares to the Toyota Sienna XLE at $35,410. However, the Odyssey has a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, 7-speaker audio that includes a dedicated subwoofer, and Honda LaneWatch, all of which are missing from its rival.

 Photo by Honda

Photo by Honda

Power, Performance and Efficiency

This portion of our 2016 Honda Odyssey EX-L review may hold a surprise for green customers: Even with all the buzz about the efficiency of the new Chrysler minivan, the Odyssey actually has the same standard EPA ratings for combined and highway fuel economy, along with a slightly better mark in the city. The tale of the tape has the Odyssey listed at 19 MPG city/28 MPG highway/22 MPG combined and the Pacifica at 18/28/22.

There’s also plenty of power in the Honda’s engine, with the standard 3.5-liter V6 able to serve up 248 horsepower and 250 lb.-ft. of torque. With that output, the Odyssey can complement its spacious cabin with a 3,500-lb. maximum tow rating.

 Photo by Honda

Photo by Honda

Exterior Design and Lighting

It may not push the styling envelope as far as Chrysler or Kia, yet the 2016 Honda Odyssey EX-L has its share of dynamic exterior details. Credit here goes to what the brand calls its “lightning bolt” design language. This is most obvious from the side, where a unique visual flair is created by angular body sculpting and a lightning-like look for the bottom of the vehicle’s daylight opening. Additionally distinctive are the Odyssey’s LED taillamps and “light pipe” accents, as well as the EX-L model’s 17-inch alloy wheels. Other EX-L exterior benefits are more functional, but just as welcome, from a power tailgate to a one-touch power moonroof to wiper-linked, projector-beam halogen headlights; these automatically come on if the driver engages the wipers, for better wet-weather visibility.

 Photo by Honda

Photo by Honda

Interior Design and Capacities

For all the style and technology on display in cutting-edge minivans like the 2016 Honda Odyssey EX-L, their core mission hasn’t changed any: They all prioritize cabin space. The Odyssey, though, stands out with the most second- and third-row legroom, the most storage space behind the second row, and 148.5 cubic feet of cargo space in total — more than all but one rival. The EX-L works smart, too, by showcasing standard features such as a “cool box” storage bin and a “wide mode” second row. That allows occupants to push the second-row seats 1.5 inches outward, creating more space between them.

And yes, this model is smartly appointed, with leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a heated front row.

 Photo by Honda

Photo by Honda

Audio and Infotainment

The 2016 Honda Odyssey EX-L does indeed deliver a fair amount of infotainment technology, checking off the boxes for hands-free calling and audio streaming, including app interfaces for Pandora and Aha, and the standard sound system provides a robust 270 watts of power, plus a subwoofer and six more speakers. A USB port, SiriusXM Radio and SMS text-messaging functionality also are on board; the latter feature is able to read and “answer” incoming text messages using pre-set responses. Yet the real difference-maker is the ease-of-use of the system, since it relies on two separate screens: An 8-inch information display that puts key data closer to the driver’s line of sight, along with a 7-inch touchscreen for controlling all that functionality.

 Photo by Honda

Photo by Honda

Safety Ratings and Technology

The 2016 Honda Odyssey EX-L has a lot to live up to, safety-wise, because it’s a follow up to the very first minivan to ever win a Top Safety Pick recognition from the IIHS — and the Odyssey remains one of only two 2016 minivans with that honor. Nor do all of the current minivans have a 5-Star Overall Safety Score; the Odyssey does, of course, but the Dodge Grand Caravan does, and Nissan hasn’t submitted the Quest for testing.

The Odyssey is further well suited for safe journeys with a bevy of proactive safety measures. For instance, a rearview camera, with guidelines, is standard on all models, while the EX-L trim touts forward-collision warning and lane-departure warning. Customers can’t get those as standard equipment for the Kia even on the range-topping, $39,900 Sedona SXL.

 Photo by Honda

Photo by Honda

Available Equipment

Beyond the benefits already mentioned in this 2016 Honda Odyssey EX-L review, this trim can be enhanced with both a rear-seat DVD entertainment system — boasting a high-res WVGA screen — and the automaker’s latest Satellite-Linked Navigation System. The Odyssey’s nav system naturally offers advanced voice recognition, with the setup bolstered by the FM Traffic service.

It’s also worth pointing out that those upgrades are bundled with additional standard content, such as a multi-angle rearview camera for models equipped with navigation and a third-row, 115-volt outlet to support the Odyssey’s rear-occupant entertainment system.

And for more luxury, the Odyssey roster does extend up to a Touring Elite trim that’s highlighted by a 650-watt, 12-speaker audio system and an ultra-premium rear-seat entertainment setup — with an ultra-wide 16.2-inch screen and HDMI input.

 Photo by Honda

Photo by Honda

Other Cool Info

We’ll actually pivot away from the 2016 Honda Odyssey EX-L for a moment, but there’s a special reason for that: the Odyssey Special Edition. It’s a new choice for the lineup for the 2016 model year, and it puts together premium options in a popularly priced package.

Thus, the Odyssey Special Edition has an MSRP of $32,650, which includes the amenities of the lower-priced EX. But also included are the rear-seat entertainment center, HondaVAC system, SiriusXM Satellite Radio and 115-volt power outlet from the more expensive upper-range trims.

Said Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of Honda Sales: "Our Odyssey customers have told us some of the features they value most and we have packaged these in the new Odyssey SE model to create a special value edition that we know American families are going to love."

 Photo by Honda

Photo by Honda

Final Thoughts

Honda’s current-generation minivan is reaching the end of its lifecycle, as a redesigned version is expected for the 2017 model year. Yet that said, the 2016 Honda Odyssey EX-L is still a leading choice in the segment today, complete with excellent safety, fuel-economy and cargo ratings. In fact, as a reminder, the Odyssey has more storage space and better EPA ratings than the brand-new gas-powered Chrysler minivan — which hasn’t been tested by the IIHS, either. The Odyssey, on the other hand, is a 2016 Top Safety Pick. And though that rival’s upcoming hybrid may be more efficient than the Odyssey, it will certainly be more expensive as well.

 Photo by Honda

Photo by Honda


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