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2010 Honda Odyssey Review

August 13, 2009

STYLING | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Even five years into this generation, the overall design still feels contemporary.
Cars.com

subtle backlighting creates an elegant view of the instrument panel
MotherProof

Now there's a minivan we don't mind driving
Car and Driver

Honda has dressed up the Odyssey with some styling tweaks
Autoblog

The 2010 Honda Odyssey sure doesn't strike any new ground with its styling; it's as anonymous as any minivan, but buyers look to these vehicles for practicality above all else, right? While other Honda vehicles have gained the beveled, excessively chunky look at the front and back in recent model years, the Odyssey has kept more conservative.

Most reviewers take the Odyssey at face value, making it clear that they don't have high expectations for this van, though they remain quite complimentary. Reporting on the slight refresh that the Odyssey saw for 2008, Autoblog says, "Honda has dressed up the Odyssey with some styling tweaks, including ... front bumper fascia." Cars.com notes that the Honda Odyssey "continues its trend of exterior and interior changes" a little bit every year. Car and Driver takes kindly to the styling, commenting, "Now there's a minivan we don't mind driving." MotherProof agrees, describing the Honda Odyssey as "elegant, poised, smooth ... [with] sleek lines and subtle accents."

It's hard to find fault with the clean and functional interior design, though TheCarConnection.com's editors point out that the center-stack controls feel a bit disordered. Most reviewers aren't bothered by this, although a few focus on the gearshift placement. Cars.com notes that the Odyssey's “gearshift lever sits on the instrument panel." ConsumerGuide finds "it's easy to reach but obstructs some controls when in park." The appearance of the instruments themselves draws positive remarks in several instances; ConsumerGuide likes the "large, clearly marked main gauges," while MotherProof says "subtle backlighting creates an elegant view of the instrument panel."

Conclusion

Anonymous minivan styling is the name of the game on the outside, though inside the 2010 Honda Odyssey impresses with the details.

STYLING | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:Even five years into this generation, the overall design still feels contemporary.Cars.comsubtle backlighting creates an elegant view of the instrument panelMotherProofNow there's a minivan we don't mind drivingCar and DriverHonda has dressed up the Odyssey with some styling tweaksAutoblog The 2010 Honda Odyssey sure doesn't strike any new ground with its styling; it's as anonymous as any minivan, but buyers look to these vehicles for practicality above all else, right? While other Honda vehicles have gained the beveled, excessively chunky look at the front and back in recent model years, the Odyssey has kept more conservative. Most reviewers take the Odyssey at face value, making it clear that they don't have high expectations for this van, though they remain quite complimentary. Reporting on the slight refresh that the Odyssey saw for 2008, Autoblog says, "Honda has dressed up the Odyssey with some styling tweaks, including ... front bumper fascia." Cars.com notes that the Honda Odyssey "continues its trend of exterior and interior changes" a little bit every year. Car and Driver takes kindly to the styling, commenting, "Now there's a minivan we don't mind driving." MotherProof agrees, describing the Honda Odyssey as "elegant, poised, smooth ... [with] sleek lines and subtle accents." It's hard to find fault with the clean and functional interior design, though TheCarConnection.com's editors point out that the center-stack controls feel a bit disordered. Most reviewers aren't bothered by this, although a few focus on the gearshift placement. Cars.com notes that the Odyssey's “gearshift lever sits on the instrument panel." ConsumerGuide finds "it's easy to reach but obstructs some controls when in park." The appearance of the instruments themselves draws positive remarks in several instances; ConsumerGuide likes the "large, clearly marked main gauges," while MotherProof says "subtle backlighting creates an elegant view of the instrument panel." ConclusionAnonymous minivan styling is the name of the game on the outside, though inside the 2010 Honda Odyssey impresses with the details. 2010 HONDA ODYSSEY STYLING | [7 out of 10] Cars.com: "Even five years into this generation, the overall design still feels contemporary." MotherProof: "subtle backlighting creates an elegant view of the instrument panel" Car and Driver: "Now there's a minivan we don't mind driving" ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

For those who don't need a full-length, long-wheelbase van, the short-wheelbase (SWB) version of the Kia Sedona is a good option; it has a lower price than the rest of the crowd, though it lacks an easy-folding third row. For seating alone, the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan remain the best options in this class; their in-floor storage and overall cabin utility is still a step above all the leading rivals. The Toyota Sienna is an excellent van as well, but its on-the-road feel is neither as smooth and well-balanced nor as enthusiastic as the Honda's. Finally, GM and Ford have given up on minivans, instead offering roomy crossover vehicles with hinged rear doors. Most will find those rear doors less practical but the vehicles themselves more aesthetically appealing. The new Ford Flex has fashionable boxy wagon styling and a great seven-passenger interior, while the Chevy Traverse offers more conventional styling paired with an especially good ride and interior appointments.

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See the Honda Odyssey in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

Comments (1 total)

  1. By  b16 #1, Posted: 8/14/2009

    the odyssey will always be a barely criticized vehicle because of Honda's ability to meet the average "honda owner" needs. styling was never the sell but reliability and name recognition.

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