Updated 2014 Honda Odyssey Minivan - Sets Minivan Benchmark, Review By Carey Russ
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD
WITH CAREY RUSS
2014 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite Review
For families a minivan is the way to go, and the 2014 Honda Odyssey continues as one of the best.For 2014, the third generation of Honda's Odyssey minivan gets its first mid-product cycle freshening. No surprise there, such is the nature of the auto industry. And yes, there are the usual minor changes to the front and rear styling, and tweaks to the interior styling as well. More importantly, all trim levels get a six-speed automatic transmission, for improved fuel economy and performance. Structural upgrades led to its being ranked as a "Top Safety Pick+" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). All models also get standard Bluetooth® connectivity, a four-way power front passenger seat, the Expanded View driver's watch-the-kids-in-back mirror, and a Pandora® interface with an SMS text-messaging function.
New options include Honda's LaneWatch blind-spot monitoring system and Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) systems, found only in luxury vehicles when the current Odyssey debuted back in 2011. The top-level Touring Elite model gets clean with a standard in-vehicle vacuum cleaner, the HondaVAC in addition to the full suite of safety, information, and entertainment equipment that befits its premium status.
With the new standard equipment, the "base model" LX has all of the basics and then some. Above that, the EX offers the LaneWatch system, push-button start/stop, the HondaLink communications and connectivity system, and wiper-linked headlights. The EX-L and EX-L RES (Rear-Seat Entertainment System) add FCW and LDW. The EX-L With Navigation and the Touring add a multi-angle rearview camera, and the Touring Elite means the vacuum, HD Radio, and Neural 5.1 Surround audio. No kitchen sink yet.
Power for all is a 248-horsepower 3.5-liter V6, with cylinder deactivation and a six-speed automatic for optimum economy with performance.
My test vehicle for the past week was a new Odyssey Touring Elite. At a $45,280 MSRP (with $830 destination charge, minus local taxes, license fees, and such) it's the ultimate family vehicle for a well-to-do family. It does have the appointments and comforts of a luxury sedan (and then some), and considerably more room inside. Most importantly, the basic package is good enough that even the more pedestrian trim levels should be just fine for more budget-minded family transportation -- and this is a minivan that gives a pleasant driving experience, so Mom and Dad don't have to resign themselves to mere operation of a transportation appliance, as useful as the built-in appliance in the left side of the Touring Elite's cargo compartment may be. Fuel use is frugal for the Odyssey's size, with EPA ratings of 19 mpg city, 28 highway. I got 22 mpg overall, in mostly city and surface street use. Compare that to a similarly-sized and comfortable eight-passenger SUV or crossover and no, those with "third row" jump seats not useable by anyone over three feet tall don't count. If you need to transport six or more people and/or that much stuff often, a minivan is the way to go. And the Honda Odyssey continues as one of the best.
APPEARANCE: While the basic shape stays the same, and the definitive "lightning bolt" zig-zag line of the lower side windows at the rear of the sliding doors continues, there are subtle changes. The headlights and grille have black surrounds. Cutlines in the hood more closely follow the shape of the grille, and the lower intake and foglamps have been revised. At the rear, the taillight shape appears unchanged, but incandescent bulbs have given way to LEDs with perimeter "light pipes".
COMFORT: As outside, the 2014 Odyssey's interior is familiar but just a little different. There are no radical changes, and none were needed. It's as comfortable, versatile, and in Touring Elite trim, luxurious as expected. In all models, small side windows under the windshield pillars add visibility in critical spots. Although the overall design is unchanged, instrument and interior lighting has been upgraded, and more chrome trim adds brightness without being distracting or causing glare. Center stack controls -- for audio, navigation, electronic, and climate systems -- have been redesigned for easier use. Climate controls are simple knobs and separate from the two touchscreen interfaces. Dual screens allow easy use of navigation and access to audio and other information simultaneously. All current entertainment options are included at Touring Elite level (and most others) -- AM, FM, and Sirius/XM radio, CD, jack, USB/iPod, and Bluetooth streaming audio.
![]() |
SAFETY: The 2014 Honda Odyssey is the first minivan to earn a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. It also has a 5-Star rating from NHTSA. Honda's "Advanced Compatibility Engineering™" unibody structure improves passenger protection and crash compatibility, especially in frontal and frontal offset collisions. Four-wheel antilock disc brakes with brake assist and electronic brake force distribution stop quickly, and the Vehicle Stability Assist system offers further protection. In upper models the FCW and LDW systems alert the driver to possible imminent disaster. There's a full complement of airbags, dual front with passenger detection, front seat side, and three-row side curtains with rollover sensing.
RIDE AND HANDLING: Structural reinforcements have added some weight, aluminum panels for the hood, front fenders, and lower front control arms remove some. With all of the luxuries, the Touring Elite tips the scales at over 4600 pounds, but a carefully designed and calibrated, fully-independent MacPherson strut front, multilink rear suspension keeps it surprisingly agile. Body motion is most activity is minimal, always good with small children in the far rear. Width is not excessive; all the better for parking, but this is a long vehicle. Steering and handling response put it at the front of the minivan class, and the brakes work well.
PERFORMANCE: You need maximum power for acceleration, but not for steady-speed cruising, especially on a reasonably level highway. Honda's 3.5-liter single overhead cam alloy V6 uses i-VTEC variable valve lift and cam phasing and Variable Cylinder Management, which allows deactivation of up to three cylinders when cruising at steady speed to combine accelerative ability with highway economy. Low, low ratios and overdrive fifth and sixth gears also help there. Active engine mounts and a noise-cancellation system mitigate any change in engine noise or vibration in various modes. With all cylinders firing, maximum horsepower is 248 (at 5700 rpm), with the torque peak of 250 lb-ft at 4800. And plenty of useful low-end torque for dealing with traffic. If "minivan" means "slow" to you, think again. 0-60 time is around 7.5 seconds, just keep the kids strapped in tightly. Getting into fast traffic is no problem, and the blind spot system helps in merging. EPA fuel economy is 19 mpg city / 28 highway. In my week of mixed driving I got a 22 mpg average.
CONCLUSIONS: Honda's Odyssey continues to set benchmarks in the minivan class.
SPECIFICATIONS
2014 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite
Base Price $ 44,450 Price As Tested $ 45,280 Engine Type SOHC 24-valve aluminum alloy V6 with cylinder deactivation and i-VTEC® valve lift and duration management Engine Size 3.5 liters / 212 cu. in. Horsepower 248 @ 5700 rpm Torque (lb-ft) 250 @ 4800 rpm Transmission 6-speed automatic Wheelbase / Length 118.1 in. / 202.9 in. Curb Weight 4613 lbs. Pounds Per Horsepower 18.6 Fuel Capacity 21 gal. Fuel Requirement 87 octane unleaded regular gasoline Tires P235/60 R18 102T Michelin Primacy mxv4 Brakes, front/rear vented disc / solid disc, ABS, VSA, EBD, BA standard Suspension, front/rear independent MacPherson strut / independent double wishbone Drivetrain transverse front engine, front-wheel drive PERFORMANCE EPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon city / highway / observed 19 / 28 / 22 0 to 60 mph 7.5 sec OPTIONS AND CHARGES Destination and Handling $ 830