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2022 Honda Odyssey Review: The Fun One

2022 Honda Odyssey
Photo: D.Heyman
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Dan Heyman
In the small confrerie of minivans, Honda's is aimed at drivers who want to get more involved behind the wheel

I’m not going to sit here and say this van “drives like a sports car”, but the dampers have been tweaked just so and the powertrain massaged in just the right way that it is, bar none, the best handling of all the minivans and offers some of the weightiest steering, too. Is that something minivan buyers want? Wouldn’t they rather be able to turn the wheel with a single outstretched digit? Maybe but as I said, there are others to choose from if so.

The Odyssey can really crack on, though. You can really feel that power and while having that power isn’t going to have you carving through your favourite back road, it does provide extra confidence when passing and entering freeways or while lugging lots of gear and kiddos. The handling, meanwhile, gives you an extra smattering of confidence although it bears mentioning that Toyota’s Sienna is available with AWD, and that means a whole lot to a great many Canadians.

If I had a complaint, I guess it’d be that the ride is a little firm at one time, then a little too aloof at others as if Honda wasn’t able to fully commit to a car-like handling package and had to overcompensate a bit with certain damper settings.

Specifications sheet of 2022 Honda Odyssey EX-RES

Specifications sheet of 2022 Honda Odyssey EX-L Navi

Specifications sheet of 2022 Honda Odyssey EX-L RES

Specifications sheet of 2022 Honda Odyssey Touring

2022 Honda Odyssey, three-quarters rear
2022 Honda Odyssey, three-quarters rear
Photo: D.Heyman

That, of course, is no dealbreaker by any means because the Odyssey has so much more to offer. It looks cool, its feature set is robust and it’s got great dynamics. Don’t make a minivan decision without first giving it a shot.

We like

Hard for minivans to look cool; Honda has pulled it off
Great dynamics
Robust V6 power
    
We like less

Slightly finicky second-row seat
Cargo floor not fully flat when third row stowed
No hybrid or AWD option
        
The competition

Chrysler Pacifica
Dodge Grand Caravan
Kia Carnival
Toyota Sienna

2022 Honda Odyssey, rear
2022 Honda Odyssey, rear
Photo: D.Heyman
Photos:D.Heyman
2022 Honda Odyssey pictures
Dan Heyman
Dan Heyman
Automotive expert
  • Over 12 years' experience as an automotive journalist
  • More than 70 test drives in the past year
  • Participation in over 150 new vehicle launches in the presence of the brand's technical specialists