2016 Honda Odyssey Concept
2016 Honda Odyssey Concept - As good as the Odyssey is, there are other minivans that are also worth checking out. The Toyota Sienna is fresh off a recent update, and it offers available all-wheel drive. The Nissan Quest is smaller but boasts a smooth ride and highly configurable seating of its own. We've grown fond of the Kia Sedona's crossover-inspired styling and front cabin during its long-term stay with us. You can also spend less and still get a fully functional van in the form of the Dodge Grand Caravan. But overall, Honda's Odyssey remains a top choice for when your life is, for better or worse, begging for a minivan. When it comes to hauling things, the Odyssey's cavernous interior is
remarkably flexible. Even with a full load of passengers, there are
still a generous 38.4 cubic feet of space behind the third row. Folding
the 60/40-split third-row seat into the floor is simple and creates a
93.1-cubic-foot cargo hold behind the second row. The downside to the
design of those second-row seats (55 pounds each) quickly becomes
apparent when you discover they must be removed from the vehicle to make
full use of the Odyssey's 148.5 cubic feet of total cargo capacity. Finally, the Touring Elite adds xenon headlights, a regular blind-spot
warning system (the blind spot camera is nixed), the vacuum, an upgraded
rear-seat entertainment system (with a widescreen video monitor and
HDMI input) and a premium 12-speaker surround-sound audio system with HD
radio.A rearview camera is standard on all models, with an upgraded
multi-angle rearview camera available as an option on the EX-L and
standard on the Touring and Touring Elite. Odyssey EX and above models
come with Honda's "LaneWatch" blind-spot camera system, but Touring
Elite models replace it with a conventional blind-spot monitor.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2016 Honda Odyssey minivan is offered in six trim levels: LX, EX, SE, EX-L, Touring and Touring Elite. The base seven-passenger LX model is well-equipped with 17-inch steel wheels, rear privacy glass, a rear spoiler, manual two-zone air-conditioning, active noise cancellation, an eight-way power driver seat, a four-way power front passenger seat, a 60/40-split folding third-row seat, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, full power accessories, cruise control, an 8-inch infotainment display, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, a rearview camera and a seven-speaker audio system with a CD player, Pandora compatibility, an auxiliary audio input jack and a USB port.
Moving up to the eight-passenger EX model gets you 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, heated mirrors, power-sliding side doors, keyless ignition and entry, tri-zone automatic climate control, two-way power lumbar adjustment for the driver, a multi-adjustable second-row seat, a removable front center console, second-row sunshades and a conversation mirror. The EX also features Honda's "LaneWatch" blind-spot camera system and an additional 7-inch touchscreen with HondaLink smartphone app integration (including smartphone-enabled Aha radio features). The SE includes a 115-volt household-style power outlet, an integrated vacuum cleaner, satellite radio and a rear seat entertainment system. The EX-L gives up the SE's additional features (except satellite radio) but adds a power liftgate, forward-collision and lane-departure warning systems, a sunroof, a chilled storage box, leather seating (front and outboard second row) and heated front seats. Options include a choice of a voice-operated navigation system with an upgraded rearview camera or the rear-seat entertainment system with the 115-volt power outlet. These two systems can't be ordered together on the EX-L. Step up to the Touring model and you gain 18-inch alloy wheels, foglights, front and rear parking sensors, driver memory settings, the 115-volt power outlet, retractable third-row sunshades and a fold-down armrest for third-row passengers. Additionally, both the navigation and rear-seat entertainment systems are standard.
Interior Design and Special Features
As befits a purpose-built people mover, the 2016 Odyssey's interior offers a wide array of seating arrangements. Particularly noteworthy is the multifunction second-row seat that can be adjusted to create a middle aisle or side aisle for easier third-row access. On EX and higher trim levels, the center portion of the second-row bench can slide forward more than 5 inches to put the youngest passenger's car seat within easy reach of mom or dad. The second-row outboard seats can also slide away from the center, allowing plenty of room for three car seats side-by-side. The Odyssey's cabin has many other clever features, like the handy flip-up trash bag holder built into the removable center console, or the cooling compartment that means a refreshing beverage is always close at hand.
The 2016 Honda Odyssey SE and Touring Elite come with a built-in vacuum. You supply the Cheerios and dog hair. Buyers who simply must have all the toys will gravitate to the Touring Elite model, which includes a rear-seat entertainment system built around a widescreen monitor that can play two different sources -- a DVD and a video game, for example -- at the same time. This top-of-the-line model (like the new-for-2016 Odyssey SE) also comes equipped with Honda's unique built-in vacuum with a 10-foot hose capable of reaching crumbs in every corner of the cabin.
Driving Impressions
The 2016 Honda Odyssey SE and Touring Elite come with a built-in vacuum. You supply the Cheerios and dog hair. Buyers who simply must have all the toys will gravitate to the Touring Elite model, which includes a rear-seat entertainment system built around a widescreen monitor that can play two different sources -- a DVD and a video game, for example -- at the same time. This top-of-the-line model (like the new-for-2016 Odyssey SE) also comes equipped with Honda's unique built-in vacuum with a 10-foot hose capable of reaching crumbs in every corner of the cabin.
Driving Impressions
While the 2016 Honda Odyssey is technically down a few horsepower compared to rivals like the Toyota Sienna and Kia Sedona, these vans perform similarly in both our acceleration tests and real-world driving situations. The Odyssey's V6 has more than enough juice to merge confidently on the freeway or overtake slower cars on the open road. Class-leading steering precision and confidence-inspiring handling make the Odyssey feel smaller and more carlike than it actually is. Thanks to active noise-cancelling technology, wind and road noise are held to pleasantly low levels, a difficult feat for what is essentially a big box on wheels.
2016 Honda Odyssey Concept
Forward-collision and lane-departure warning systems are standard on
EX-L, Touring and Touring Elite models, though it should be noted that
this collision warning setup lacks the auto-braking feature found in
many similar systems.The Odyssey earned five out of five stars for
overall crash protection in government tests, with five stars for total
frontal-impact safety and five stars for total side-impact safety. The
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave it a top rating of "Good"
for its performance in the frontal-offset tests (both small and moderate
overlaps) and the side-impact and roof-strength tests. It also earned a
top rating in the seat/head restraint (whiplash protection) test. The large touchscreen included on all but the base LX model also serves
as a rearview camera display and provides access to audio system
features, including popular apps like Pandora and Aha. The remaining
controls are sensibly arranged and clearly labeled in a way that makes
everything very user-friendly.