It’s manageable enough, but most people will need two hands to make it happen. (Of course, Stow ‘n Go isn’t all roses in order to make them foldable into the floor, the seats have all the comfort of old lawn chairs.) In back, Honda’s venerable third-row Magic Seat folds completely into a storage well to create a flat load floor. The second-row captain’s chairs can be folded or removed, but they don’t fold completely into the floor like Chrysler’s Stow ‘n Go seats. Storage room is plentiful, but the execution is imperfect. Being minivans, all of them can be configured to have an aisle down the center for third-row access. They slide forward to make it easier to get into the third row, which is easier than tumbling the seats in the Sienna or in Chrysler’s minivan twins. As in many minivans, the second-row seats - two across in the Odyssey LX, three across in other trims - recline and adjust forward and back. The Honda Odyssey accommodates such exercises well, with adult-friendly room in the second and third rows. You don’t buy a minivan unless you plan to stuff it with people or cargo at some point. The Odyssey’s optional moonroof lacks one-touch express operation, something most competitors offer. Chrysler’s vans can be locked while its doors are still motoring shut. To lock up the car via the key fob, you have to wait for the second-row sliding doors - power-operated on most trim levels - to latch shut. It’s easy enough to leave a purse or briefcase on the floor, or to convert the area to a pass-through, but the Sienna and Chrysler vans offer enclosed consoles that can better accommodate assortments of smaller items. The center console comprises a flip-down tray with molded cupholders. Temperature knobs for the automatic climate control, something the Chrysler twins use, would be easier to operate than the Odyssey’s rocker switches - especially when the yowling kids in back want it cold, now. Unfortunately, functionality doesn’t rank as high.
2009 HONDA ODYSSEY DRIVER
I’m calling a winner: The Odyssey serves up the best combination of style and quality for both the driver and front passenger. The Kia Sedona is mediocre in both areas. Chrysler’s minivans - the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan - have a more contemporary layout but the quality of the controls is nowhere near as upscale. The Toyota Sienna may have richer materials, but its dash looks like it was designed five years ago.
2009 HONDA ODYSSEY FREE
The buttons, dials and stalks operate free of sloppy wriggles. Its dashboard has sharp-looking gauges and attractive low-gloss plastics. Even five years into this generation, the overall design still feels contemporary. Minivan interiors have cleaned up nicely these days, and the Odyssey ranks among the best. In ascending order, trim levels include the LX, EX, EX-L and Touring. There are minimal changes for the 2009 version, which you can compare with the ’08 here.
The current generation has been around since the 2005 model year, and it got a modest freshening for 2008. I also wish Honda would learn a thing or two from Chrysler and make its features more user-friendly. It’s even a bit of fun to drive, though at some point either you or your spouse will likely complain about its firm ride.
The Honda Odyssey, one of America’s best-selling minivans, has all the patent strengths a kid-hauler should have: roominess, safety, reliability and decent fuel efficiency.
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