2009 Honda Odyssey

Powering the Honda Odyssey

All trims use a 3.5-liter V6 engine, mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The EX-L and Touring trims carry the most recent version of Honda's variable cylinder management system (VCM), which allows the V6 engine to switch among three, four, and six cylinders to increase fuel efficiency. The 2009 Honda Odyssey remains the most carlike minivan currently available, thanks to responsive steering, athletic suspension calibration and a tight turning radius. However, smaller families on a budget and those not needing to haul around extra passengers and cargo might want to consider a trimmer and more maneuverable compact carry-all like the Mazda 5 or Kia Rondo. At speed, either Honda V6 provides good acceleration, but the Odyssey's interior noise levels and relatively firm ride make it feel less luxurious than the Sienna.

Design of the ’09 Odyssey

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.The air intake in the lower front fascia is also slightly larger and more rectangular in shape on the 2008 models. The hood is sculpted with curves that lead naturally back to the windshield and emphasize the big fender flares. Honda has not hidden the sliding door channels at the base of the window but left them partially obscured by a crease that runs the length of the vehicle. All models come with two sliding doors, manually operated on the LX and electrically operated on all other models. The power windows in each of the side doors can be opened in the same fashion as in a car. The tailgate is electrically operated in the top-of-the-line Touring. The Odyssey boasts Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure. The vehicle's crush zones have been engineered to provide good protection for occupants while minimizing damage in a collision with smaller vehicles and pedestrians. Its body structure is rigid, which contributes to crisp handling and a smooth ride. A low drag coefficient helps improve fuel economy and high-speed stability.

2009 Honda Odyssey Cabin

The Odyssey can seat seven or eight passengers, with the maximum number of chairs made possible by a stowable center seat in the second row on EX, EX-L and Touring models. This optional seat can be converted into a tray table or removed and stored in the Odyssey's in-floor storage area. For added versatility, the second-row captain's chairs can be brought together to form a two-passenger bench. Out back, there's a fold-flat 60/40-split bench seat in the third row that seats three. With this seat stowed away, the Odyssey provides more than 91 cubic feet of cargo volume behind its second-row seats. This number increases to just over 147 cubic feet when the second-row chairs are removed, about average for this segment but significantly more than any crossover SUVs. The interior features a third-row Magic Seat that folds into the floor. Maximum seating capacity for the Odyssey is eight passengers. Luxury features such as leather trim, dual-zone automatic climate control, satellite radio, navigation system and entertainments system are all available.

2009 Odyssey Lineup

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 ($33,810), and the navigation system with rearview camera can be added to that ($35,810).

The Touring is what Honda's Acura luxury division would sell if it sold a minivan. It has a slightly stiffer suspension for improved handling and a 350-watt audio system with six-disc CD changer, seven speakers and a subwoofer. 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 ($40,610).

Conclusions

Although there are more choices than ever before in the family utility segment, including traditional rivals like the Toyota Sienna and a growing number of three-row crossover SUVs like the Mazda CX-9, the 2009 Honda Odyssey remains at the top of our people-mover list. Its spaciousness and hauling capability leave crossovers in the dust, and it bests most other minivans in terms of style, drivability and overall execution. It's what a big family vehicle should be. The Odyssey earned a perfect five-star rating in government front- and side-impact crash tests. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety test results are equally impressive: Honda's minivan earned a best-possible "Good" rating for both frontal-offset and side-impact collisions. For further research, visit Edmunds.com for a complete 2009 Odyssey overview.  The Honda Odyssey minivan lives up to Honda's reputation for refinement, convenient features and great fit and finish. The Odyssey comes in four trims: LX, EX, EX-L and Touring. Safety features such as side-impact and curtain airbags, four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes, traction control and an electronic stability system come standard in all models. Having evolved extensively over the past 15 years to meet the changing demands and tastes of minivan shoppers, the Honda Odyssey minivan rolls into 2009 with few significant changes. While any contemporary van can serve as a competent people mover, none can match the Odyssey's killer combination of refinement and responsiveness on the road. This is one family hauler in which driving enjoyment and pride of ownership don't take a backseat to day-in, day-out practicality. For the latest updates on this Honda model, visit the official Honda Odyssey site.