If it seems like the 2024 Honda Odyssey has been around a long time without big changes, you're not wrong.
The Odyssey did get an exterior refresh in 2021, but the basic vehicle is now in its seventh model year. It was new in 2018. The Kia Carnival debuted in 2022 and the Toyota Sienna was all-new the same year as the Honda's mid-cycle refresh. Only the Chrysler Pacifica, which launched in 2017, is older than the Odyssey.
None of those four set the world on fire in term of sales volume. So far this year, the Pacifica has sold about the same as the Sienna and the Odyssey combined, and the Carnival sells about half what the Honda and Toyota do.
We should note that the Pacifica does a lot of rental fleet business. The direct-to-customer sales figures are likely a lot closer to that of the Odyssey and Sienna, and Honda says it is gunning for number one in that metric this model year. As a result, the business case isn't there for regular dramatic updates, much less clean sheet designs for any of them. Some analysts say Honda won't have a replacement for this generation of Odyssey until the 2028 model year. So let's see what we're soldering on with.
Perhaps the most venerable part of this most venerable minivan is the 3.5-liter V6 engine, some version of which has been powering the Odyssey for 25 years---since the 1999 model. Back then, it was only good for 210 horsepower. Now it's 280.
The ten-speed automatic transmission first appeared as an option in 2018 models. It became standard for the 2020 model year. EPA fuel economy estimate---22 mpg combined city/highway.
That's adequate power, enough gears and competitive fuel economy. The Odyssey is solid in stop-and-go carpool and school runs, and in long-distance highway cruising.
The deep well is for folding the third row of seats into the floor. With those seats in place, it holds 32.8 cubic feet of cargo. With the third row folded, it's 86.6 and with the third and second rows, there's 158 cubic feet.
With the seats up, legroom is generous---38.1 inches in the third row and 40.9 in the second row.
Honda offers the Odyssey in six trim levels, starting with the EX at $39,635 including destination.
Our tester was the top-of-the-line Elite, which begins at $51,765. Standard equipment at that price includes a comprehensive suite of active safety features, a leather-trimmed interior, leather-wrapped steering wheel, premium audio system with 11 speakers, navigation, rear seat entertainment with Blu-Ray player, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, wireless phone charger, CabinTalk and CabinWatch (allowing communication and monitoring of the wayback), pushbutton start, heated steering wheel, three-zone climate control, a 12-way power driver's seat with memory and four-way power lumbar, a 12-way power front passenger's seat with four-way power lumbar, heated and ventilated front seats, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, illuminated visor vanity mirrors, a 115-volt power outlet, second and third-row sunshades, floormats, dual power-sliding doors, power moonroof, hands-free power tailgate, 19-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, LED headlights with auto high beam, LED fog lights, heated power door mirrors with turn indicators, auto-dimming side mirrors, power-folding door mirrors, LED taillights, rear privacy glass, front and rear parking sensors, smart entry, security system, remote engine start and walk-away locking.
And because of Honda's one-price policy for each of its models (apart from miscellaneous dealer-installed options), the price tag for the 2024 Honda Odyssey Elite starts and stops at the same number: $51,765.
If Honda does squeeze in one more significant update prior to an all-new one four years from now, we'd recommend an interior makeover. A hybrid would be great, too, but that may be asking too much from the current packaging (the battery has to go somewhere).
On balance, the Odyssey is as good as it ever was, which is no faint praise. And the minivan wars, muted as they may be, roll on.
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