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
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