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The 2021 Honda Odyssey gets an abundance of small additions and changes that amount to a significant upgrade for the new model year.
Most noticeable is the restyled grille and front fascia along with revised lighting that includes LED headlights standard on even the base LX trim level. It's a cleaner and more streamlined appearance, as the bulky, shield-like chrome of the original look has been replaced by a clean chrome strip with a widened three-slat grille below. The lower fascia's LED foglights (standard on all but LX) are now in a smaller pod connected by a continuous strip of black trim and lower air dam. It's sharp, and the rare mid-cycle refresh looks like it should've been there from the beginning.
The rear is harder to differentiate, largely consisting of taillights that are entirely red now, and the thick chrome trim piece has been replaced by a thinner strip of chrome ensconced by piano black. Again, it's sleeker.
The interior looks exactly the same, meaning awfully sensible and pretty ugly. The upper Touring and Elite models get piano black trim, while contrast stitching is added to the top two trim levels, but beyond that, the Odyssey's interior upgrades cater to improving functionality.
The outboard second-row seats of every trim level now fold flatter, making it easier to stow things on top of them or remove them completely. The seats' "Magic Slide" capability remains intact, allowing them to move laterally in addition to fore and aft (plus remove the middle section altogether). There are also grocery bag hooks mounted to the backs of the third-row seats as well as an updated center console with a cord management system. The EX-L and higher get extra storage pockets mounted to the front seat backs.
Not surprisingly, though, the top Touring and Elite see more advancements. They get a USB charging port in the third row, bringing the grand total to six (there are two standard and five on EX-L), and an extra pair of front parking sensors to further prevent oopsies.
Every Odyssey now comes standard with a rear seat reminder system, which sounds a chime and warns the driver to check the back seat every time the car is turned off. This includes a message in the instrument panel. This system is then augmented in the Elite and Touring by utilizing an existing cabin feature: the CabinWatch system that uses a wide-angle camera in the roof and the central touchscreen to show the kids sitting in the back. Basically, the CabinWatch image now comes on automatically in addition to the standard rear seat reminder when you turn off the car.
Those aren't the only safety upgrades. A more advanced radar system allows the forward collision warning system to detect pedestrians and the adaptive cruise control to work in low-speed, stop-and-go conditions. This works in concert with a new electronic brake booster that supposedly enhances pedal feel as well. That's seemingly the only mechanical upgrade for 2021 that might alter the driving experience.
As such, the only engine continues to be a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, while returning an EPA-estimated 22 mpg combined. A 10-speed automatic and front-wheel drive are standard. Recall that the all-new 2021 Toyota Sienna will be available as a hybrid only, producing 243 hp and returning a Toyota-estimated 33 mpg combined. It's also available with all-wheel drive.
The 2021 Honda Odyssey goes on sale Aug. 3 with a starting price of $32,910, including the $1,120 destination charge. Prices for the trim levels are below.
They address a couple main issues we have with the Odyssey. Low speed follow/stop and go cruise control is great, as is the fold flat 2nd row seatback, and better front parking sensors (currently lacked the directly forward), and adds passenger lumbar (huge point for my wife).
Still lacks surround view camera though. And no rear auto brake, and no digital rearview mirror. And no panoramic roof.
They address a couple main issues we have with the Odyssey. Low speed follow/stop and go cruise control is great, as is the fold flat 2nd row seatback, and better front parking sensors (currently lacked the directly forward), and adds passenger lumbar (huge point for my wife).
Still lacks surround view camera though. And no rear auto brake, and no digital rearview mirror. And no panoramic roof.
A camera for the 3rd row, but not surround cameras is inexcusable.
A camera for the 3rd row, but not surround cameras is inexcusable.
And who is still looking for a car with a RES?
My kids are 5 and 2, for longer drives, it's great to just pop in a BluRay and let them watch without having to worry about them holding onto a tablet or trying to rig up a carrier. I would've preferred a dual screen setup like the Pacifica though
My kids are 5 and 2, for longer drives, it's great to just pop in a BluRay and let them watch without having to worry about them holding onto a tablet or trying to rig up a carrier. I would've preferred a dual screen setup like the Pacifica though
The RES was so handy when the kids were young. Now, the family has 100GB unlimited data for each person so the kids watch Netflix on their own personal device on long trips so less necessary. There are areas where you lose cell signal when you go to national parks so maybe the RES would be handy in those siutations
what always bothered me about the odyssey was that honda employed timing belts on them, necessitating a replacement at 100k, whereas the rest of the competition are running with chains. don't get me wrong, i'm a honda fan but i am curious as to why? it can't only be for a quieter operation. more maintenance money in the long run?
i still love the mugen inspired rear spoiler, similar to what the old accord wagons used in japan! could just be a coincidence.
The RES was so handy when the kids were young. Now, the family has 100GB unlimited data for each person so the kids watch Netflix on their own personal device on long trips so less necessary. There are areas where you lose cell signal when you go to national parks so maybe the RES would be handy in those siutations
That's when offline downloads come into play The RES is good enough for now, we try to force the kids to look out the window and be bored like in the olden days anyway
Not the 2021, but was fun to see some updates roll out to the prior model year Odysseys as well! Big improvement the CabinTalk function and accessibility. So glad to see mainstream automakers also using over the air updates to continue to improve features and functionality.
Sure wish it had a surround view camera...it would be in my driveway...
You just spent a whole thread coming to the deduction that you might as well give your wife the new Pacifica she wanted. Are you saying that it was one camera-piece of hardware that made the difference, and not her wish? Or, most likely, both?
You just spent a whole thread coming to the deduction that you might as well give your wife the new Pacifica she wanted. Are you saying that it was one camera-piece of hardware that made the difference, and not her wish? Or, most likely, both?
Oh, absolutely. If the Odyssey had a surround view camera we would have gotten that for sure. That was the primary driver behind her wanting another Pacifica.
Oh, absolutely. If the Odyssey had a surround view camera we would have gotten that for sure. That was the primary driver behind her wanting another Pacifica.
This is insane to me. Feel free to NOT share that with your wife.
2021 Honda Odyssey refreshed
My kids are 5 and 2, for longer drives, it's great to just pop in a BluRay and let them watch without having to worry about them holding onto a tablet or trying to rig up a carrier. I would've preferred a dual screen setup like the Pacifica though
The RES is good enough for now, we try to force the kids to look out the window and be bored like in the olden days anyway
