Flash Drive

2016 Honda Odyssey

August 15, 2016 - Behind The Wheel - Comments: 

Model Tested: 2016 Honda Odyssey 5DR SE

The 2016 Honda Odyssey van is handsomely styled. Doors are large and access is easy.
The 2016 Honda Odyssey van is handsomely styled. Doors are large and access is easy.

Engine: 3.5-liter V-6 gas, 248 horsepower 250 lb-ft torque

Transmission: 6-speed automatic, front-wheel-drive

EPA Rating: 19-mpg city, 28-mpg highway, 22-mpg combined

Base Price: $34,425

As Tested: $34,255 ($1,050 SE discount)

Performance:

Smooth, powerful V-6 engine

Nice 6-speed automatic

Reasonable size for city driving

Good outward visibility

The Honda Odyssey is a great highway cruiser, especially for family vacations.
The Honda Odyssey is a great highway cruiser, especially for family vacations.

Four-wheel disc brakes

Pleasant highway ride

Adequate fuel economy; we averaged 21.4 mpg

Comfort:

Room for the whole family

Good driver legroom

Excellent headroom

Driver power lumbar support

Tilt/telescopic steering column

Slightly contoured, medium thick steering wheel

Good auxiliary controls

Power front passenger seat, almost stretch-out room

Second row seating is spacious and comfortable.
Second row seating is spacious and comfortable.

Large adult space in second row

Second row HVAC controls

Totally flat second row floor

Soft headrests and armrests

Quite good third row accommodations

Utility:

Eight-passenger capacity

Huge, deep storage well behind third seat

Third seat easily folds in/out of storage well

Flat cargo deck

Huge primary front door bins

The third row is reasonably spacious, too.
The third row is reasonably spacious, too.

Small secondary front door bins

Deep, oversized console bin

Huge storage bin at bottom center of dashboard

Medium size locking glovebox

Power, sliding side doors

Retractable purse hook on side of center stack

Center row overhead DVD screen/radio/XM

Second row sunshades

Special Edition built-in vacuum cleaner

Very thin second row door bins

A slick SE feature is a built-in vacuum cleaner.
A slick SE feature is a built-in vacuum cleaner.

Two big seatback storage pouches

Large “B” pillar second row grab handles

WOW Factors:

Outstanding active young family vehicle

Highly flexible interior

Huge cargo capacity

Built-in vacuum cleaner

More than ample interior storage

Kid entertaining DVD system

Pretty handsome styling for a family van

Whines:

Great interior space means pretty large vehicle overall

Third row seats easily store into a deep well that also provides great cargo space when the seats are up.
Third row seats easily store into a deep well that also provides great cargo space when the seats are up.

Manual liftgate

Bottom Line:

The 2016 Honda Odyssey SE is a case study in optimal packaging. While hardly a “mini” van this multi-purpose 8-passenger family van is an ideal carrier of people and their stuff. The interior is spacious, comfortable, and versatile. The ride and handling are pleasant and fuel economy is very acceptable.