2021 Honda Odyssey Elite Review by Mark Fulmer +VIDEO

SEE ALSO: Ladies, It's Time To Let A Minvan Turn You On

A Mini Van with Maxi Comfort and Practicality

By Mark Fulmer
The Auto Channel

The Odyssey is powered by a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 creating 280 horsepower and is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission which routes power the front wheels. It gets an official EPA rating of 19/28/22 mpg due in large part to its variable cylinder management systems which let the engine switch between three- and six-cylinders during freeway journeys.

2021 brings perforated leather and and a upscale look and feel to the interior.The second-row seats can fold flat for those large loads and they each are "on rails" that allow ultimate tweaking of your cargo and passengers, as well as easy access to the third row. New parents will like the new Rear Seat Reminder system which alerts drivers to remind drivers not to rush out and leave sleeping youngsters in the vehicle. The Elite also includes the CabinWatch rear-seat camera system that displays the rear seat section on the center console's display screen allowing you to make sure all's well back there.

Families can be on the messy side, but fear not. The Elite gives you an on board shop-vac styled on board vacuum cleaner hidden in a rear side panel for quick and easy cleanup of spills, dog hairs, and crumbs of all makes and sizes. After all with a roof fold-down video screen fed by a Blu Ray player, you will be popcorn in nooks and crannies. In my book, the built in vacuum is the best idea since blind spot monitoring.

The driving experience is downright comfortable on both short and long trips. The steering is precise, the suspension is stable yet soft, and the visibility downright awesome. As a co-pilot, the Honda Sensing system of safety and driver-assist technologies with its adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assistance, and lane departure warning keeps you safely informed and has been enhanced this year with a new radar sensor that gives a low-speed follow function with stop and go, as well as pedestrian detection.

The era of the minivan will continue to continue as long as the Odyssey keeps providing drivers and passengers with a comfortable and safe ride and a well designed and practical interior.