2011 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite/Review

18 Sept 2011

2011 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite/Review

• • Labels: auto, auto reviews, Cars 2011, honda, Reviews

In bold 28-point Akzidenz Grotesk type, the headline boomed: "Best Minivan Ever?" Just asking the question gave our 2008 Chrysler Town & Country (or the "Norge," as we affectionately dubbed the big white box-on-wheels) major credentials.

Somewhere at the crossroads of its comfortable ride, its family-friendly amenities and its flexible interior space, we did find a sort of driving nirvana with the T&C--not the type that satisfies the inner Parnelli Jones, perhaps, but a perfection nonetheless.

It silenced the quality skeptics, too. In the 33,000 miles we'd racked up on the odo--it crisscrossed the country, traversed the Rockies and shepherded all of our dormitory-bound children off to college and home again--never once did we have to spend a night without our dear Norge. It required nothing more than routine maintenance and a replacement tire.

For all of the advancements introduced by Chrysler--dual sliding doors (yes, there was a day when minivans had but one sliding rear door, on the passenger side), fold-in-the-floor seats, conversion-van-like amenities--it's the Honda that is cited most often by aficionados of minivans as the standard-bearer.

Our particular long-termer hasn't inspired its own nickname (at least, not yet), but it does bring with it a heck of a lot of stuff. We started with a top-trim Touring Elite model, with a base price of $44,030--far north of a new, top-of-the-line Town & Country Limited's starting point of $39,995. But the Odyssey Touring Elite comes standard with almost everything we could want in a minivan. The only options we tacked on were a trailer hitch with two hitch balls and roof rails and cross bars. The grand total came to $45,369.

For all that coin, we do get a nice power and performance setup. Where lower-trim Odysseys make do with a five-speed box, our Honda has the more fuel-efficient six-speed transmission, paired with a 3.5-liter V6 engine turning out 248 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque, with Honda's Variable Cylinder Management system. Our long-termer also gets bigger 18-inch wheels in place of the stock 17s; a full complement of safety features, including six airbags, front-seat whiplash protection and an alphabetic mélange of electronic systems (ABS, EBD, VSA, BA, BSI); a power moonroof, liftgate and sliding doors; GPS navigation with voice controls; a 650-watt sound system with a 15-GB hard drive, and a rear-seat entertainment system.

With all of those goodies and seating for eight (one more than our Chrysler, whose second-row swivel seats allowed for only seven riders), the sign-up sheet for the Honda is filling up fast. A bonus for the more outdoorsy staffers is that the Odyssey has a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, plenty of pull for a small duck boat or a pop-up camper.

PRICING & OPTIONS

Base (includes $780 delivery): $44,030

As-tested price: $45,369

Specifications:

• 3.5-liter i-VTEC™ V-6 engine with three-mode Variable Cylinder Management™

• Preliminary estimated fuel economy, Odyssey Touring Elite (City/Highway): 19/28 miles per gallon*

Interior: