The Honda Odyssey is arguably the best minivan on the planet (certainly the Toyota Sienna is a deserving competitor as well, and the Chrysler Town And Country is also a good one). The 2009 Odyssey maintains its excellent reputation with agile and responsive handling, outstanding crash-test scores, a very functional split and flat-folding rear bench seat, and feature refinement.
The 2009 Honda Odyssey is a midsize minivan offered in four trims: LX, EX, EX-L and Touring.
Standard Features:
Even the entry LX model is well-equipped with standard features which include full power accessories, cruise control, keyless entry, dual sliding rear doors (manual), dual-zone air conditioning, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, and an AM/FM/CD stereo with four speakers, MP3 compatibility and an auxiliary audio jack.
The EX model adds power-sliding rear doors, alloy wheels, power driver seat, automatic triple-zone climate control, and a six-speaker sound system with an in-dash 6-disc CD changer.
Moving up to the more luxury oriented EX-L model adds leather-trimmed upholstery, sunroof, power front passenger seat, heated front seats, power liftgate, satellite radio, and a back-up camera with a rearview-mirror-mounted display.
Optional features on the EX-L include a rear DVD entertainment system as well as a navigation system with Bluetooth and an integrated back-up camera display.
Opting for the top-of-the-line Odyssey Touring adds run-flat tires, driver memory, power-adjustable pedals, rear parking sensors, and a premium audio system.
Engines And Gas Mileage:
Powering the 2009 Odyssey is a 3.5 liter V6 engine mated with a five-speed automatic transmission on this front-wheel-drive vehicle. This engine produces 244 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque on the LX and EX models. The EX-L and Touring models are equipped with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), a fuel-saving cylinder deactivation feature, but still delivers a similar 244 horsepower and 245 lb-ft of torque.
VCM can deactivate two or three of the engine's six cylinders when in cruising conditions. The result is improved fuel efficiency with an EPA-estimated gas mileage rating of 17 mpg city and 25 mpg on the highway (20 mpg combined). The regular base engine is gas mileage rated at 16 mpg city and 23 highway (18 combined).
In addition, the 2009 Touring model has been timed going from a standstill to 60 mph in a very respectable 8.7 seconds.
Safety:
Standard safety features on all 2009 Honda Odysseys include stability control, antilock disc brakes, brake assist, front-seat side-impact airbags, active front head restraints, and full-length head curtain airbags with a rollover sensor.
Michelin's PAX System run-flat tires are available on the Touring model. However, while these tires can be driven for more than 100 miles when punctured, they usually cannot be repaired when damaged and replacements are both hard to find and costly.
In government crash testing, the Odyssey was awarded perfect five-star ratings in all front and side-impact crash tests for both driver and passenger protection.
Interior:
The Odyssey can accommodate seven passengers on the LX model and eight on all other models by way of an optional and stowable second row center seat that also converts into a tray table.
The Odyssey provides 91 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second-row seats when the third row is stowed away. Removing the second-row chairs increases the storage capacity to 147 cubic feet.
Drive:
With its tight turning radius, responsive steering and athletic engine, the 2009 Odyssey is perhaps the most carlike minivan on the market.
Update: Weak Economy Leads To Lower Odyssey Prices:
Honda's sales have been weak for months now, evidence of a continuing poor economy and an especially weak car buying trend. And the current combination of fierce dealer competition and a soft market has created an ideal opportunity for nailing down great deals.
How To Buy A New Odyssey At The Best Price: Before listing MSRP and invoice prices for the 2009 Honda Odyssey, here's the best way to get the lowest price, especially given the current slow car market.
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