It took me a while to find a comfortable driving position where both my arms and legs were at a relaxed position from the pedals and steering wheel. The Touring is equipped with power pedals and even then I had a hard time. The front and second row seats are firm however they look like they were designed for very large people: there is next to no lateral support. The third row split folding 60/40 bench seat is cosy enough for two adults or three children. The leather of the Touring is nice and supple. The cloth that covers the seats of the EX is of good quality and seems durable. For all EX trimmed Odysseys, there is a stowable second row "Plus One" seat. I think Honda should revise this appellation for "Plus 1/2" as the seat is certainly too small for anyone bigger than a Hobbit.
The Premium sound system in the Touring has a blameless
sound.However for all its high-tech flip down LCD screen to load CDs, 360 Watts and subwoofer, it cannot play MP3s. Reception in both tested minivans was no more than average. Unfortunately and oddly, the Touring was plagued with a number of electrical glitches that ranged from the clock that changed time on its own to the navigation system that would freeze on occasion. Also, the EX's airbag light flickered on or off during the time we had it.
The Touring's navigation system is as user friendly as any other Honda or Acura arrangement. I applaud Honda for not deeming it necessary to combine the GPS and HVAC controls in one complicated mess of knobs and menus. The climate controls are actually comprised of simple buttons and amusing toggle-like switches. Coupled on the LCD monitor is the view from the rear thanks to a camera mounted on the hatch. This tool is very useful for parallel parking. It is however only offered with the more expensive Touring ensemble.
Technical
There are two forms of the same engine available with the Odyssey. It is a 3.5L SOHC V6 equipped with VTEC technology that develops 255 hp at 5 750 rpm. Where the difference lies is in how the VTEC system woks. The basic variable valve timing system puts out 250 lb/ft of torque at 5 750 rpm. The i-VTEC capable engines also get VCM (Variable Cylinder Management) which permits the deactivation of three out of the six cylinders when cruising at a constant speed. In this form, the V6 produces the same 250 lb/ft of torque, but at a lower 4 500 rpm. All Odysseys have a 5-speed automatic transmission, are driven by the front wheels and are able to tow up to 1 588 kgs. Braking duties are handled by 4-wheel disc brakes.
On the road
The 3.5L V6 does an excellent job of bussing the Odyssey around town. Throttle response is quite sharp and acceleration times are short. When the gas pedal meets the floor, the minivan turns into a rocket. And when the engine's revs reach around 4 700 rpm, the VTEC kicks in and every other minivan or car for that matter, is left in the dust. The major shortcoming of all this power is, like most powerful front-wheel drive vehicles, large doses of torque steer. As long as you are not briskly taking off from a stop, this issue should not cause any aggravations.
The transmission is also a gem in the way it functions. Upshifts are smooth, kickdowns are brisk and incisive. I am not usually a fan of electronic nannies such as traction control although in the case of the Odyssey, I am glad that they are equipped with these devices. If this was not the situation, wheel-spin would be a chronic problem.
The Premium sound system in the Touring has a blameless
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The Touring's navigation system is as user friendly as any other Honda or Acura arrangement. I applaud Honda for not deeming it necessary to combine the GPS and HVAC controls in one complicated mess of knobs and menus. The climate controls are actually comprised of simple buttons and amusing toggle-like switches. Coupled on the LCD monitor is the view from the rear thanks to a camera mounted on the hatch. This tool is very useful for parallel parking. It is however only offered with the more expensive Touring ensemble.
Technical
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On the road
The 3.5L V6 does an excellent job of bussing the Odyssey around town. Throttle response is quite sharp and acceleration times are short. When the gas pedal meets the floor, the minivan turns into a rocket. And when the engine's revs reach around 4 700 rpm, the VTEC kicks in and every other minivan or car for that matter, is left in the dust. The major shortcoming of all this power is, like most powerful front-wheel drive vehicles, large doses of torque steer. As long as you are not briskly taking off from a stop, this issue should not cause any aggravations.
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The transmission is also a gem in the way it functions. Upshifts are smooth, kickdowns are brisk and incisive. I am not usually a fan of electronic nannies such as traction control although in the case of the Odyssey, I am glad that they are equipped with these devices. If this was not the situation, wheel-spin would be a chronic problem.