2012 Honda Odyssey Review

Overview

Honda has redesigned the Odyssey minivan with greater interior functionality, a more distinctive style and engineered for higher fuel economy*. The 2012 Honda Odyssey minivan is essentially a carryover model from 2011. The minivan is equipped with a wide range of new features adding value for economy, comfort and convenience. All models - the Odyssey LX, EX, EX-L, Touring and now, the new Touring Elite - feature more than 50 standard and available features for enhanced comfort, convenience, efficiency and travel fun.

Power and performance

A more powerful and efficient 3.5-liter i-VTEC V-6 engine featuring Variable Cylinder Management (standard on all models for 2012) produces 248 hp (4 hp over 2010). The Odyssey Touring model comes with a standard six-speed automatic transmission. All other models are equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission. *The 2012 Honda Odyssey returns with a mileage of 19 city/28 highway/22 combined mpg for Odyssey Touring models with 6AT, and 18 city/27 highway/21 combined mpg for Odyssey EX-L and below models with 5AT.

Body and styling

The dramatic new styling of the Odyssey presents a tapered cabin and a signature "lightning bolt" belt line. Prominent enhancements to the interior include a new 3-mode second-row seat design for center passengers (Odyssey EX and above), five LATCH attachment points (4 in the Odyssey LX), one-motion, 60/40 split 3rd-row Magic Seat, 15GB memory Hard Disk Drive (HDD)-based audio system (EX-L Navi and Touring), 2GB memory CD-Library, FM traffic data (EX-L Navi and Touring), 16.2-inch Ultrawide Rear Entertainment System (RES) and HDMI port (Touring Elite), multi-view rear-view camera with parking aid lines (EX-L Navi and Touring) and removable front floor console (EX and above). The top of the line Touring Elite comes with Blind spot information system and auto-leveling HID headlights.

Safety Features

A long list of modern safety equipment comes standard on all Odyssey models. The Odyssey's Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure is a Honda-exclusive body design that enhances occupant protection and crash compatibility in frontal collisions. The additional standard safety equipment includes Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist; three-row side-curtain airbags with a rollover sensor; driver's and front passenger's side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags; and active front seat head restraints.