Cars.com Reviews the 2008 Honda Odyssey

When the keys for a new minivan come to the office we’re don’t rush over with the same enthusiasm as if it were a sports car. But after a week in the new Honda Odyssey — a fully loaded Touring model at that — reviewer David Thomas came away impressed by how luxurious this family-friendly vehicle was. Make sure to check out the full review with video.

2008 Honda Odyssey Expert Review

Comments

[Mart]

Erm, is there a reason the actual review text and images are pointing to a Camry review?

Just thought I'd let you know!

[George]

My wife and I have had our O Touring Edition for almost three years and we just love it. It's almost as fun to drive as our 540i. Honda sure knows how to build a van as our two previous vans (Ford, Chrysler) literally started to fall apart at 60,000 miles. Our O just hit 64,000 miles and it drives new. Unless you have a mechanic in the family who specializes in transmission and electrical fixes, I would suggest you avoid Ford and Chrysler.

[Dave T.]

Mart,
The link issue should be fixed. Sorry for the trouble.

[L]

My Town & Country has 120K miles on it now and still drives perfectly, George.

The Honda is okay, I just can't justify spending the extra money just for the cushier leather seats. Nothing else is special about it. The Toyota Sienna is the pepiest of the bunch with the most rear leg room; the Chrylser vans have the most nifty features; and Hyundai/Kia is the most bang for the buck. Honda would be last on my list...

[Dave T.]

L,
Remember it's only a few grand more than the Dodges on the base model and has the top safety scores. Although so does the Hyundai and Kia. I would think for family shoppers those safety stats would be a major selling point, no?

I also think the handling of the Odyssey is better than the new Chryslers I've tested. But I agree, Chrysler does the features right.

Best looking vehicle in the Honda's entire lineup, IMO. If I needed a minivan- this is the one that I'd drive, the only other would be a Quest.

Broq

[L]

Dave -
You know, I have to admit that I don't even pay attention to safety ratings on a vehicle. I guess I should since I have two children which is the reason I got the minivan in the first place. Has anyone ever been able to say in a deadly accident that had the occupants been in a 5 star crash rated vehicle vs the 4 star one they were driving that they would have lived? What is the exact amount of damage or human injury difference between a 4 star vs a 5 star??

[Dave T.]

L,
Good questions.
We also prefer to use the IIHS ratings whenever possible versus the govt's NHTSA five-star ratings since the IIHS is much tougher in their testing. The NHTSA is in the midst of revamping its tests but for right now the IIHS is tougher.

As for studies like you mentioned I do not believe any have been done with live data. What has been studied are things like airbags, seatbelt use and other safety features protecting passengers.

What crash tests do show though is that in simulated accidents what would happen to a passenger in one car versus another which often is the difference in severe damage to hardly any. Check out the IIHS' site for more info
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/default.aspx

In '02 I t-boned a Tahoe that ran a stop sign on rural highway going about 40-50 (was going 65 but slammed the brakes and attempted evasive manuevers) in my '02 Chevy Z-24 which had pretty sorry test results and my passenger and I walked away pretty unscathed. The car was totalled and I needed a little physical therapy afterwards, but it just goes to show that if all depends on the accident and that cars these days are really safe- when you buckle up.

Broq

[Dave T.]

Broq,
You also were in a "frontal" crash which is usually the most protected type of crash with dual stage front airbags.

Side impacts, the t-bone-ee, is much more dangerous although you hit a much larger vehicles so it wouldn't show up in this case. We rely on crash test simply because anecdotal evidence like yours doesn't always spell out the whole story.

Also: was the physical therapy for your knees?

[DL]

can't agree with Broq more!

people seem to get too caught up in the new bells and whistles of technology (and good thing for carmakers who cash in on that obsession). their effect on saving lives (and limbs) is quite limited.

the single most important feature that saves the vast majority of lives is the seatbelt. other features in CONJUNCTION with usage of a seatbelt helps save some more lives, but the effect is diminished. however, without a seatbelt on, no amount of airbags/ curtains/ ESC's/ TCS's / crash test stars / etc will help anybody.

so i'm off the topic. i prefer the looks of the Sienna.

[DL]

can't agree with Broq more!

people seem to get too caught up in the new bells and whistles of technology (and good thing for carmakers who cash in on that obsession). their effect on saving lives (and limbs) is quite limited.

the single most important feature that saves the vast majority of lives is the seatbelt. other features in CONJUNCTION with usage of a seatbelt helps save some more lives, but the effect is diminished. however, without a seatbelt on, no amount of airbags/ curtains/ ESC's/ TCS's / crash test stars / etc will help anybody.

so i'm off the topic. i prefer the looks of the Sienna.

I had to have the physical therapy on my pelvis. Apparently as a driver seeing a collision about to take place, you instinctivley tense up and try to brace your self anyway you can- which is what I was told I did. All that force caused my pelvis to become slightly misaligned- causing pain when standing for large periods.

I do agree with Dave- my crash was probably the "most ideal" type to be in, for that car. I just think the cars that we drive today are really safe- just think about the cars that our parents drove- the ones that they carted us around in as kids. LOL

Broq

[Dave T.]

Broq and DL,
Yes I too think today's cars are worlds safer than anything on the roads before. However, It's interesting to hear that if you add something like ABS or Stability control how many more accidents can be prevented. And how top side crash ratings do save lives etc. I'd still take the 5-star or top rated vehicle over one that isn't all things being equal. Just as I'd take the cheaper, more reliable, more hp etc. Better is still better.

[DL]

ah, the voice of reason ...

[Troy in Ft Walton Beach]

I like the new Ody. I would think it would also do better in the resale depertment as well as safety rating. To me, thats a big deal breaker as it will eventually be sold or traded in.

I would pick Sienna over Oddy

[Jessica of Chicago]

Own a 2007 EX-L with a stowable 2nd row plus one seat. Recently purchased the 2008 Touring with the 2nd row plus one seat. Unfortunately the seat in the 2008 is no longer stowable. Were you miss informed for your review of the 2008? This is not the only review that mentions the 2008 having a "stowable" middle seat in the second row. I can store the seat cushion but not the seat. In the 2007 the base folded to fit in the storage compartment. Very convenient feature. I am using 3 infant car seats at present and don't feel comfortable storing the plus one in the garage because I don't want the leather to crack. For me this has turned into an unfortunate change.

[Jessica of Chicago]

Perhaps you weren't misinformed. If this seat stows, where is the magic button?

[Dave T.]

Jessica,
It doesn't say anywhere in the story that the second row middle seat can be "stowed" it says it can be removed which it can.