2021 Honda Odyssey

Pros: Well-balanced driving dynamics; versatile Magic Slide seating system; quiet cabin; comprehensive list of available high-tech and family-friendly features

Cons: Lack of stand-alone options means that many desirable features are available only on the most expensive trim levels; some testers dislike push-button gear selector

CG Says: The 2021 Honda Odyssey has revised styling and more standard safety features on base models. Honda Sensing (autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot alert, lane-keep assist, road-departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, traffic sign recognition, and rear cross-traffic alert) is now standard on all models. Odyssey was redesigned for 2018. The key innovation of this generation Odyssey is “Magic Slide” second-row seats—they slide laterally as well as fore and aft, which enables several convenient seating configurations and greatly eases access to the third-row seats. The sole engine is a 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 that is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Among the available features are keyless access and starting, 4G LTE Wi-Fi connectivity, LED headlights, a built-in vacuum, heated/ventilated front seats, and hands-free power liftgate. Other available features include CabinWatch, a ceiling-mounted wide-angle infrared camera to monitor rear-seat passengers (even in the dark); CabinTalk, an in-car P.A. system that enables the driver to talk to rear-seat passengers through the available entertainment system’s headphones or rear speakers; and CabinControl, a smartphone app that allows rear-seat passengers to control rear climate and entertainment-system functions. The Odyssey delivers a refined, quiet cabin; a capable, responsive powertrain; and surprisingly crisp handling for a large front-wheel-drive vehicle. However, its clever Magic Slide seats and other technology innovations are what make it a real standout. If the passenger-hauling convenience of the Odyssey’s Magic Slide seats is more important to you than the cargo versatility of the Chrysler Pacifica’s handy Stow n’ Go seats, then Honda’s latest minivan should be at the top of your shopping list.