Honda Odyssey has evolved comprehensively in the last 15 years to meet the changing demands and tastes of minivan buyers. There are more choices than even before in the minivan segment now including the old favorite Toyota Sienna and Mazda CX-9 and the number is growing. However, the Honda Odyssey still leads the list. Its spaciousness and hauling capability leaves crossovers far behind, and exceeds most other minivans in style, drivability and execution. In short, the Honda Odyssey is a perfect family vehicle.

 

The 2009 Honda Odyssey Touring is the priciest trim level in the Odyssey line up which competently endures long journeys and comes across as a focused family van. Triple-zone climate control, navigation, rear-seat DVD entertainment, plenty of power outlets and satellite radio are among its key features. The Odyssey has secured a perfect five-star rating in government front- and side-impact crash tests. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety test results are equally impressive.

 

Performance

 

A 3.5-liter V6 that makes 244 horsepower and 245 pound-feet of torque powers the 2009 Honda Odyssey Touring. The available Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) automatically disables two or three cylinders when cruising or decelerates to increase fuel economy. When the VCM is on, a green "ECO" light in the gauge cluster indicates that the engine is running a few cylinders short. A five-speed automatic transmission shifts the gears swiftly and easily.

 

Acceleration in the Odyssey is a bit slower with a 0-60-mph time of 9.1 seconds, but the instant throttle response and heavily built engine make it seem quicker. Fuel economy is better than its competitors with an EPA-estimated 17 mpg in city, 25 mpg on highways. The suspension is solid and better and the Odyssey handles the curves amazingly well. Steering is also well weighted and accurate.

 

Comfort

 

The Odyssey has sufficient space for all passengers. There is no wind noise but that does not make it quite like competitors. The legroom and headroom are adequate even in the third-row seats. The driving position is more like a delivery truck than a car but it is suitable for the drivers, even on long trips. An eight-way power-adjustable driver seat with a tilt-and-telescoping wheel and adjustable pedals is available.

 

The 2009 Honda Odyssey Touring’s styling is ordinary like most of the traditional minivans and the floor height is the same as a passenger car. However, the roof is placed high and it makes the passenger access easy and paves way for a larger cargo space. The cabin is simple and may look dated for some people but the hard plastic materials used here can be easily cleaned and are long-lasting.

 

The Odyssey scores in terms of utility and allows for multiple configurations to handle varying passenger and cargo combinations. There is an impressive 38 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row seats. One can even flip down one or both sides of the 60/40-split seats for more cargo capacity (Maximum 147 cubic feet).

 

Function

 

Large windows and narrow roof pillars are visible given the Odyssey’s large proportions. Parking and reversing have been simplified with the short sloping nose, tilt-down side view mirrors, proximity sensors and rearview camera. A convex conversation mirror, placed above the rearview mirror, allows the driver to see the passengers sitting in the rear seat without turning around.

 

The 2009 Honda Odyssey Touring is full of electronic features that can be controlled from the driver seat. There are nearly 100 buttons, knobs and switches within the driver’s reach (excluding the touch screen buttons). Sometimes you may need to go through the manual to find correct settings. The upgraded 360-watt stereo’s quality leaves a lot to be desired and there is no iPod facility. The storage space is adequate with twin gloveboxes, smaller bins and a folding center tray.

 

No other vehicle can match the Odyssey's combination of drivability, extensive features, safety and versatility in its class. If you require more cargo space than an SUV or want to take your wife and kids on a long trip, the 2009 Honda Odyssey is a good choice.