The automatic even manages to flub upshifts, at times introducing a lumpy, ill-timed short shift while the driver is still accelerating. The eons it takes to select a cog-usually not the one wanted or needed-means many passing opportunities will go missed. It upshifts as early as possible, which is understandable in a world rife with tightening efficiency regulations, but it also stumbles over itself finding the right gear when you call for a downshift.
The transmission is another carry-over item we wish Honda had tweaked. It feels out of step with the lively and capable chassis, although to be fair, hair-trigger turn-in is between a lift kit and deployable pontoons on the wish lists of most minivan shoppers. Unfortunately, Honda hasn’t sped up the van’s slow steering, which makes for lots of arm-flailing during parking-lot maneuvers. Our recorded test numbers paint a rather mediocre dynamic picture-0.75 g around the skidpad, a long 197-foot stop from 70 mph-but seat-of-the-pants impressions convey a buttoned-down and willing performer. Rejoice, parents afraid of giving up any semblance of driving pleasure by switching to a minivan: The Odyssey remains among the very best minivans to drive. Our loaded Touring Elite managed a decent 22 mpg over more than 1300 miles of driving. The six-cog unit was previously available only on upper trims, leaving lesser versions with a five-speed and lower fuel-economy figures, but now all examples have the better EPA-bestowed ratings of 19 mpg city/28 mpg highway. That the two screens’ resolution and graphics aren’t matched is almost a secondary complaint.Ī carry-over 3.5-liter, SOHC V-6 powers the front wheels of every Odyssey, sending its 248 horsepower through a six-speed automatic. The lower screen is operated by touch, whereas the upper unit is manipulated via hard buttons confusingly located below the lower display. We find the new dual-screen setup a bit ridiculous and unnecessary you can, for example, have audio information displayed on both screens at the same time. The dashboard is reconfigured with easier-to-read gauges and now accommodates a second, low-mounted central display-devoted only to audio and phone functions-on EX models and up.
While not drastically changed in appearance, the van still looks quite sharp for a big box, and it retains its low and wide front end and snazzy “lightning bolt” side window-line zigzag.
2014 honda odyssey ex plus#
For 2014, buyers can choose from-count ’em-seven trim levels: base LX, EX, spicier EX-L (basically the EX plus leather), EX-L with RES (EX-L with a rear-seat entertainment system), EX-L with Navi (leather-lined EX with navigation), Touring (bundles the EX-L’s rear-seat entertainment system and navi), and the focus of this test, the range-topping Touring Elite.Īll Odysseys now have headlights with darkened trim, LED-lit taillights, and updated wheel designs, plus the latest front fascia, hood, and grille.
2014 honda odyssey ex full#
The current-generation Odyssey first opened its dual sliding side doors to the world four years ago, and our long-term test of a 2011 model was our last full report on the van. (We did, however, cover the vacuum in a separate, slightly informal test.) Given that none of the 2014 Odyssey’s changes are mechanical in nature, consider this test a refresher on all things Odyssey. As much as we wished this review of Honda’s refreshed-for-2014 Odyssey minivan focused solely on the rig’s awesome built-in HondaVac vacuum cleaner, it wouldn’t have been very useful to those of you actually interested in how well this minivan, you know, does minivan things.
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