The 2011 Honda Odyssey has been completely redesigned. Highlights include sleeker styling, a roomier interior, improved fuel economy and new features like a chilled storage box and a rear-seat entertainment system with surround-sound audio and a high-definition display.The latest Odyssey is still very much a modern not-so-mini minivan, with seating for up to eight passengers, sliding rear doors, V6 power and a familiar boxy silhouette.
The new 2011 Honda Odyssey also offers more comfort and practicality. The 2011 Honda Odyssey is offered in five trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring and Touring Elite. The entry-level LX comes reasonably well-equipped with 17-inch steel wheels, keyless entry, automatic headlights, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a power driver seat, a 60/40-split-folding third-row seat, air-conditioning, full power accessories, cruise control and a five-speaker sound system with a CD player and auxiliary audio jack.
EX-L versions add still more upscale standard features including a power liftgate, a sunroof, leather upholstery, a power front passenger seat, heated front seats, a chilled storage box, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Bluetooth, satellite radio and a USB audio input. Move up to the Touring and Touring Elite models and you gain 18-inch alloy wheels, foglights, front and rear parking sensors, memory settings for the driver, retractable third-row sunshades and a fold-down armrest for third-row passengers and both the navigation and rear-seat entertainment systems as standard. The new Touring Elite model adds xenon headlights, a blind spot warning system, an upgraded rear-seat entertainment system with a 16-inch HD widescreen video monitor (with HDMI input) and a premium 650-watt, 12-speaker surround-sound audio system.
The 2011 Honda Odyssey comes with a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 248 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. The LX, EX and EX-L models send that power to the front wheels through a five-speed automatic transmission; Touring and Touring Elite versions get a new six-speed automatic.
Safety
The 2011 Honda Odyssey comes standard with antilock disc brakes with brake assist, electronic stability and traction control, active front head restraints, side-impact airbags for front seat passengers and side curtain airbags that cover all three rows. The Odyssey's growth spurt has made room for a new second-row seat that's nearly 4 inches wider than the one in the outgoing model, a change that makes it roomy enough to fit three car seats side by side. The third-row seat also benefits from the new Odyssey's larger dimensions with an extra 1.1 inches of legroom. Though it's been redesigned, the Odyssey's dash can still be a bit daunting. On the inside, the 2011 Honda Odyssey is as quiet as a premium luxury sedan.
In trim levels EX and above — which includes all but the base LX — you get an adjustable second row with full-size outboard seats and a smaller center seat. The three segments slide forward and back, and the two outboard seats can slide 1.5 inches sideways, adding 3 inches of width. This allows three large child-safety seats to fit across the row.
The 2011 Honda Odyssey EX, EX-L and Touring trims have five sets of Latch anchors, two in the third row and the three in the second. I tested my Britax Marathon child seat in the Odyssey, expanding the two outboard seats and latching the Britax in the center.
Even if you have just one child requiring a safety seat, the middle seat is the safest in any vehicle. The center seat can also slide forward more than the outboard seats, bringing it closer to the driver. The driver's seat sits upright a bit, like in most minivans. The same V-6 engine from last year's Touring trim is found in all trims for 2011.
Cargo space behind the third row is unchanged for 2011, at 38.4 cubic feet. With the second row removed, the Odyssey has a total of 148.5 cubic feet, just behind the Sienna's 150 cubic feet. Both outdo the Chrysler minivans.
A power liftgate is standard on EX-L and Touring trims, but there is no optional powered third row.
An all-new navigation system is offered on the EX-L Navigation and both Touring trims. Rear passengers can also control their temperature and fan speed in EX trims and above.
The Odyssey features a standard slate of airbags, including seat-mounted side airbags for front passengers and side curtain airbags for all three rows. As mentioned above, there are Latch anchors for five child-safety seats. The previous Odyssey was an IIHS Top Safety Pick.
