2012 Honda Odyssey: What's New

Vehicle Overview

Redesigned last year, the Honda Odyssey minivan sits lower but wider than its predecessor, with a look Honda says was inspired by lightning bolts. All Odysseys carry a 3.5-liter V-6 engine. The minivan seats up to eight and competitors include the Toyota Sienna, Chrysler’s Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan, and the Nissan Quest. Honda’s redesign earned the Odyssey Cars.com’s Family Car of the Year award.

The Odyssey comes only in front-wheel drive. In typical Honda form, features are divvied up by trim level making for many trim levels. Trims include the LX, EX, EX-L, Touring and Touring Elite.

New for 2012
The Odyssey EX gains more features for 2012, including Bluetooth connectivity, Honda’s intelligent Multi-Information Display with an 8-inch screen and a USB port.

Exterior
The Odyssey is styled to stand out among a sea of parked minivans. Its beltline falls abruptly at the C-pillars, resulting in an offset rear-quarter window. Honda says the design enhances sightlines for passengers in the third row. Rails for the sliding doors sit well below the windows; Honda says keeping the motors for the power-sliding doors lower allowed for more shoulder room in the third row. Additional exterior features include:

• Standard 17-inch wheels; 18-inch wheels optional
• Available power liftgate
• Available power moonroof
• Available xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights
• Available power-sliding side doors

Interior
Honda says the interior sports such tricks as a flip-up ring to mount a trash sack for second-row passengers and an air-conditioned console up front that can keep a six-pack of soda cool. Occupants in the front row have more shoulder room than in the prior-generation van, as well as a cleaner center control panel with dedicated areas for climate, stereo and navigation controls. A power driver’s seat, air conditioning and cruise control are standard. Additional interior features include:

• 15 cupholders
• Sliding second-row center seat moves up to 6 inches closer to the front of the cabin to keep an infant within arm’s reach
• Available rear entertainment system; Touring Elite model gets an upgraded 16.2-inch widescreen display and surround sound
• Available integrated sunshades
• Available heated leather front seats
• Available navigation system
• Standard collapsible third-row seat creates a flat load floor

Under the Hood
The standard 3.5-liter V-6 makes 248 horsepower and 250 pounds-feet of torque; it has a fuel-saving cylinder deactivation system across all trims. Additional mechanical features include:

• Engine uses regular gas
• LX, EX and EX-L models have a five-speed automatic transmission
• Touring and Touring Elite use a six-speed automatic, along with low-rolling-resistance tires and a few aerodynamic improvements
• Maximum towing capacity is 3,500 pounds when properly equipped

Safety
Standard safety features include:

• Front-, side-impact and three-row side curtain airbags
• Antilock brakes
• Electronic stability system with traction control
• Active front head restraints
• Blind spot warning system (Touring Elite)