Good-natured ribbing goes a long way in the auto sector, especially when directed at unsuspecting and all-to-often self-absorbed media members.
During the New York Auto Show this past spring, newly hired copywriter 'Parsley Thyme' of Honda Motor Company's PR department took full advantage of the semi-celebrated April Fool's Day holiday, whose first-day-of-the-month timing dovetailed nicely with Big Apple media preview dates. In on the gag was an upcoming 2014 Odyssey minivan equipped with a newly introduced in-vehicle vacuum for cleaning up life's little spills. While practical for families on the go, it was the vacuum's secondary attachment and accompanying media release (penned by Mr...or Ms. Thyme) that raised suspicions.
The HondaVac's 'HondaHAIR grooming accessory' promised to "fashion the perfect bob, pixie or buzz cut" when attached to the vacuum's powerful suction. Also available to the somewhat baffled scribes was an accompanying, tongue-n-cheek "You Tube" on-line video illustrating on-the-go grooming benefits to Man and K9 kind.
Hat's off to Honda's 'well oiled' PR team for some welcomed comic relief perpetrated on an all-to-deserving audience. And let's not forget the cool and collected vehicle in on the ruse, the versatile, well-executed, always well groomed Odyssey.
The current 2013-model-year Odyssey received a redesign in 2011 for its five available trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring and everything -on-board Touring Elite. As with most family-friendly minivans, Odyssey remains strictly front-wheel drive. Toyota's Sienna minivan is one of the few available with all-wheel drive.
Changes from 2012 are minimal, although all trims now include a rear-back-up camera feed though the in-dash monitor standard across the trim level board. While stepping up to the plate late in the game, Honda's Odyssey impressively rates as the second-best-selling minivan in the U.S. after Chrysler's popular minivan van offerings. Odyssey went on sale in 1998, 14 years after Chrysler's front-drive minivans helped define the segment.
Odyssey is built in the United States at a facility in Lincoln Alabama, 40 miles east of Birmingham, opened in 2001. The popular minivan accounts for more than half the vehicles produced at the plant, which also makes the Honda Pilot sport utility and Honda Ridgeline light pickup truck. Honda's upscale Acura division begins assembling the 2014 model year MDX sport utility there this year.
All Odyssey trims derive power from a 3.5-liter V-6 commanding 248 horsepower. This V-6 engine is also assembled at the Alabama plant and powers most the Pilots and Ridgelines. Two automatic transmissions are offered depending on the trim selected. Entry LX and mid-level EX and EX-L come with a five-speed automatic transmission while the upper two trims offer a slightly more fuel-efficient six-speed automatic. Regular, 87-octane fuel fills the 21 gallon tank with mileage checking in at 19 mpg city and 28 highway for Touring and Touring Elite models, above-average in this V-6 minivan segment.
The lowest-priced LX starts at $28,675, notably higher than a Dodge Grand Caravan's entry point starting about $9,000 less. While starting pricing may seem a bit on the high end, only about 7 percent of Odyssey sales are attributed to the entry LX. More than 75 percent of Odyssey minivan sales start above the $35,000 mark. For those desiring bells and whistles in a minivan with a quiet, stable ride, Odyssey delivers the goods.
Indeed, our Touring Elite tester came with just about every available comfort (no options needed) with a $43,925 starting price and a $44,755 bottom line with $830 destination charge. Included standard were front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot information, ultra wide 16.2-inch second-row ceiling video screen, voice-recognition in-dash navigation and tri-zone climate control (in-vehicle vacuum not available until 2014).
Honda conveniently locates rear power sliding door controls on the dashboard, left of the steering column along with the power lift back button. Many rivals position the push tabs on the ceiling near the rear-view mirror. Sliding power doors may also be operated via the key fob, accessible second-row interior B-pillar switches or by a gentle tug of the large, industrial-sized door handles, easily accessible with even the largest of winter or work gloves being modeled. All trims sans entry LX feature dual power sliding second-row doors.
The manual tilt-and telescope steering column includes the ignition cylinder on the right hand side. The digital clock readout could use a point-size increase for easier visibility. In fact, many of the buttons and readouts for ventilation and audio controls could be upsized for convenience. As with many minivans, a concaved mirror retracts down from the ceiling near the rear-view mirror so driver's eyes may zero in on the activities of the two back rows.
The automatic transmission shifter resides high on the dash right of the steering column. Since the parking brake is foot-operated in the left foot well, the area between the front captain's chairs is open for a plethora of storage options available in the large floor caddie. A sliding storage frame open out from under the stereo while a bin close to the floor retracts out for even more storage.
Maneuvering into row three is made simple via second-row seats easily sliding forward with a gentle pull from a lower lift handle. While Chrysler's two minivan offerings include the innovative Stow 'n Go, in-floor-folding second row seats, Odyssey opts for a more substantial, three-seat second row with thicker cushioning benefitting (and comforting) kids and adults alike. While seven-passenger Stow n' Go seating opens up oodles of cargo room behind front captain's chairs, many minivan families find themselves primarily transporting toddlers and assorted friends and pets; not dry wall. Odyssey provides improved comfort to handle that task. Most Odyssey trims, save for the entry LX accommodate eight riders. In row three, adult head room is plentiful with audio and USB ports for the kids. Our three-seat second row included a center fold down beverage caddy if the middle remains unoccupied.
Third row 60/40 seating manually folds flat into a floor well behind the third row via pull straps accessible from the open lift gate. With a simple tug of a strap, the seat back flips backward, followed closely by the cushion which tops the seatback when folding into the recessed well. Odyssey offers no power folding third row seats as do some rivals. Power lift gates come standard in Touring, Touring Elite and EX-L while a manual version joins the two entry-type models. Even with the third-row prone, plenty of room exists for a week's worth of grocery stock up.
From the outside, its sleek design is on par with rivals. Some competitors (Toyota Sienna, Dodge Grand Caravan) do a better job of blending the second row's sliding door rail track under the window frame. Odyssey chooses instead to use this as an art element, plainly visible for the world to enjoy, same as the Nissan Quest minivan.
Several minivans have cycles through test drives recently, and Odyssey easily rates as the quietest of the lot with wind noise muted at highway and around-town speeds. Handling rates above average with this 4,540-pound vehicle maneuvering like a much lighter vehicle, although it's long dimensions require extra diligence when parking or changing lanes on the Tollway.
If in-vehicle hair styling tools don't make future Odyssey Touring Elite editions, let's at least demand on-the-go curling irons or electric tooth brushes (whiter teeth contribute to miles of smiles).
At a Glance
2013 Honda Odyssey
Price as tested: $44,755
Wheelbase: 118.1 inches
Length: 202.9 inches
Width: 79.2 inches
Engine: 3.5-liter V-6
Horsepower: 248
Curb weight: 4,541 pounds
City/Highway economy: 19 mpg city/ 28 mpg highway
Assembly: Lincoln, Alabama
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