Straight-line acceleration is good with a 0 to 60 mph time about one second quicker than other minivans, according to Honda. Despite having 255 horsepower going through the front wheels the van is almost totally devoid of any torque steer.
Every Odyssey includes Vehicle Stability Assist that works in conjunction with the drive-by-wire accelerator and ABS to modulate the brakes while managing the throttle and ignition. 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 stop the vehicle from skidding out of control. In a test on a soaking skid pad we found the system works well. Fortunately it only works in emergency situations so it's not distracting during normal spirited driving. It can also be turned off.
Overall, the Odyssey belies its size and handles like a premium sedan. It's not as good as a decent European sports sedan but it's certainly better than an SUV. The vast majority of owners will find the Odyssey's handling and ride is pleasant for long drives as well as around town.
Road noise was a fairly common complaint thrown at the older Odyssey. Honda admits as much but claims that the new vehicle is much quieter with increased amounts of sound-deadening material and floating sub frames that keep suspension and tire noise more isolated. We had no complaints about noise while driving the different models.
The Touring model and the EX with leather benefit from high-tech noise-abatement features. When the i-VTEC engine with VCM is only running on three cylinders there is a natural imbalance, which can produce drumming sounds and vibrations. To counteract this, the engine is mounted on special active control engine mounts that electronically adjust themselves to counteract engine vibrations. Further booming sounds are reduced by an active noise control system that automatically sends an out-of-phase sound through the loudspeaker system to cancel out engine noises; it also works when the engine is idling.
The Odyssey's 3.5-liter V6 engine is smooth, powerful, clean and fuel efficient. The "intelligent" iVTEC V6 that comes on the EX with Leather and the Touring model gets better fuel economy than the standard VTEC that comes on the LX and EX: an EPA-rated 20/28 mpg City/Highway vs. 19/25 mpg. The iVTEC engine does this by deactivating three of the six cylinders whenever you're cruising. We were never able to discern when the engine was running on three cylinders as there is no visible lurching or change in engine note, nor are there any warning lights to let you know the status. Both versions of the V6 generate the same amount of power: 255 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque (though the iVTEC generates its peak torque at 4500 rpm vs. 5000 rpm for the VTEC).
Another feature unique to the Touring model is Michelin's PAX run-flat tire system. Run-flat tires have in the past relied on extra stiff sidewalls to support the car when the air is lost, and this usually results in a harsher ride, but we were hard pressed to notice any difference in ride or handling in the Touring compared to the other models. Michelin's PAX system uses a solid plastic ring a few inches deep that the tire presses against when deflated. In a demonstration while driving with a flat tire we noticed deteriorated handling, but the vehicle was certainly controllable in a safe manner. Honda says the vehicle can be driven up to 50 mph for 125 miles with a flat tire. The wheels and tires are a special size and require specialized equipment to change, but Michelin says it can have a set mounted within 12 hours within 125 miles of almost anywhere in the U.S. From a practical standpoint, that should work just fine; you won't be able to buy just any tire when you go to replace them, but Michelin makes superb tires. Run-flat tires can be a good safety feature as they can eliminate the need to stop in an unsafe area. Next Page