2008 Honda Odyssey

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2008 Summary

The Honda Odyssey might be the best minivan on the market. It's one of the most enjoyable to drive and lives up to Honda's reputation for refinement, convenience, and great fit and finish. Its flexible seating system can accommodate up to eight passengers and it has plenty of room. In short, it's a good choice for families.

Full 2008 Review

For 2008, the Odyssey receives several updates. Under the hood, Honda's Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system is updated. Standard on EX-L and Touring models, the new VCM system allows the V6 engine to run on six, four, or three cylinders, depending on driving conditions. Finally, four new premium features are offered: Bluetooth cell phone link, a four-way power passenger seat becomes standard on EX-L and Touring models; a rearview camera display is integrated into the mirror on the EX-L, and the Touring gets memory-linked side mirrors with reverse tilt-down feature.

2008 Odyssey Trims

The 2008 Honda Odyssey lineup includes four models, LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring. In LX and EX, the engine makes 244 horsepower at 5750 rpm and 240 pound-feet of torque at 5000 rpm. In EX-L and Touring models, the engine makes 241 horsepower and 242 pound-feet of torque at 4900 rpm, and it is equipped with the latest edition of Honda's Variable Cylinder Management system that shuts down two or three cylinders in light engine load conditions to conserve fuel. The LX comes with cloth upholstery, seating for seven with second-row caption's chairs and a 60/40 split fold-down rear seats. It also has manual sliding side doors, manual seat controls, front and rear air conditioning, air-filtration system, power door locks with remote keyless entry, power windows, power exterior mirrors, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, cruise control, AM/FM/CD stereo with auxiliary input jack, theft-deterrent system, and P235/65R16 tires on steel wheels with hubcaps.

The EX adds power sliding doors, tri-zone automatic climate control, eight-way power driver's seat, a storable second-row PlusOne seat, in-dash six-disc CD changer, steering wheel audio controls, heated exterior mirrors, universal garage door opener, conversation mirror, second-row sunshades, roof rails, rear spoiler, and alloy wheels.

The EX-L  adds leather upholstery, heated front seats, a four-way power adjustable front passenger seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, power moonroof, XM satellite radio, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Honda's active noise reduction, and the iVTEC engine with Variable Cylinder Management. The EX-L is available with the DVD rear-seat entertainment system, and the navigation system with rearview camera can be added to that.

The Touring is what Honda's Acura luxury division would sell if it sold a minivan. It also gets the navigation system, front and rear park assist, a power tailgate, memory for the driver's seat and mirrors, power-adjustable pedals, 17 cupholders, outside mirror tilt-down backup aid, Bluetooth wireless cell phone link, trip computer, compass and outside temperature display, automatic headlights, fog lights, the DVD rear-seat entertainment system, and P235/60R17 tires. The Touring comes with the iVTEC engine with VCM. The Touring is available with Michelin PAX run-flat tires.

Safety equipment that comes standard on all models includes dual-stage front airbags, front side-impact airbags, curtain-style head-protection airbags for all three rows of seats and deploy in case of a rollover, active front head restraints, a tire-pressure monitor, antilock brakes with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution, traction control, and electronic stability control. A rearview camera, run-flat tires, and front and rear park assist are also available.

The Honda Odyssey cuts a curvy profile, and its updated front end looks similar to the Accord sedan. Large headlights flank its big grille, which is slightly more angular for 2008. All models come with two sliding doors, manually operated on the LX and electrically operated on all other models. The Odyssey boasts Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure. A low drag coefficient helps improve fuel economy and high-speed stability.

2008 Interior

Up front, the driver's seat is designed to hold the driver firmly and is positioned in a car-like setting. The tilt/telescoping wheel and the various manual/power adjustments create a comfortable driving position, which is even easier in the Touring model thanks to power-adjustable pedals. The second-row bucket seats are roomy and comfortable.

Cubby storage includes a useful storage area hidden under the middle of the floor, accessible from both the front and middle-row seats. Originally designed to house the spare tire, Honda engineers moved the spare tire to a location in the rear. A small panel in the floor between the two front seats lets front passengers access the bin while and another panel is provided in front of the second-row seats. Front and middle-row passengers can turn the Lazy Susan and access whatever is stored inside. 

If the PlusOne seat is not being used, the right-hand seat can be slid across to allow easier access to the third-row seats. This flexibility makes the Odyssey a versatile people hauler.

For cargo, the third-row seats fold (a fairly easy task) and the second row can be removed (not so easy) to offer 147.4 cubic feet of cargo space, more than most minivans and any SUV.

The navigation system is one of the easiest to operate using its on-screen menus and includes Zagat restaurant data. The system also responds to voice commands, and we found it responds effectively. The DVD entertainment system features a large nine-inch widescreen display that folds out of the ceiling for viewing by second-row passengers.

First Drive 08 Odyssey

Honda's goal with Odyssey was producing a minivan with the handling of a European sedan, and it hasn't missed the mark by much. Underway, the Odyssey delivers everything you could ask for in a minivan: a smooth ride, responsive handling, stability at speed and a smooth, powerful engine.

The Odyssey belies its size on the road and handles like a sedan. The Odyssey offered a perfectly pleasant ride during a test drive along country roads in Alabama. All in all, the Honda Odyssey is a good vehicle for a long-distance drive.

Parking is easy. The park-assist system, with beeping tones that warn the driver of other bumpers front and rear, helps considerably when parallel parking.

Honda's 3.5-liter V6 engine is smooth, powerful, clean and fuel efficient. The advantage the iVTEC engine has is its VCM system, which deactivates two or three of the six cylinders whenever the Odyssey is cruising at a steady speed. The base version of the engine generates 244 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque, while the iVTEC version makes 241 horsepower and 242 pound-feet of torque. The brakes work well. Every Odyssey comes with anti-lock brakes (ABS) and Vehicle Stability Assist, Honda's electronic stability control system. If the vehicle starts to lose grip on a tight turn on a slippery surface, the system automatically slows the engine and gently applies brakes to help keep the vehicle from skidding out of control. It only works in emergency handling situations so it's not distracting during normal spirited driving.

2008 Odyssey Conclusions

Honda Odyssey has it all: great road manners, easy passenger and cargo flexibility, a full array of safety equipment and better fuel economy than most SUVs. While some may believe the end is nigh for the minivan segment, Honda is out to prove it's anything but with the 2008 Odyssey." says Motor Trend. The Touring model in particular will appeal to buyers seeking the versatility of a minivan with the accommodations and features of a luxury sedan.