2019 Honda Odyssey Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

The Honda Odyssey commands the attention of minivan buyers by offering all the best a minivan offers in one package. The Odyssey offers a smooth ride, lots of space for passengers, a capable V6 engine that gets good gas mileage and impressive design elements inside and out. Those features come standard with every Odyssey. The list of standard options goes on. Also available in the 2019 Honda Odyssey are numerous innovative options like an onboard PA system and night vision enabled CabinWatch, which lets the driver monitor the back seats from a display on the front panel. The whole family can enjoy all the little details that have been thoughtfully developed for the Odyssey.

What’s New for 2019:

The Odyssey was redesigned in 2018, and there are no major changes for 2019.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2019 Honda Odyssey – The Pros

1. The Odyssey puts family first

The 2019 Honda Odyssey allows everyone in the family to enjoy the ride. The Odyssey features available tri-zone climate control and rear entertainment system that allows passengers to stream audio and play DVDs and Blurays. Honda CabinTalk allows the driver to speak to the third row passengers through the rear speakers and even override connected headphones. With available CabinControl, the family can construct a social playlist by adding songs to the playlist with the app. If not everyone can agree on the playlist, the Odyssey offers multi-zone audio. Everyone can be comfortable and connected in the Honda Odyssey.

2. Technologically advanced instrument panel and infotainment system

The Odyssey features a full color seven inch instrument panel. This Digital Driver Information Interface allows the driver to customize the panel information. It also provides Honda Sensing safety feedback. It also displays phone call information as well as some app controls. The optional eight inch infotainment display is also advanced. It allows the user to quickly navigate the controls and also use pinch and swipe inputs. You can pair the touch screen with satellite navigation and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

3. Driver assist safety features

The 2019 Honda Odyssey features Honda Sensing technology that assists the driver by making adjustments according to what it sees happening on the road. The Odyssey will automatically brake if it senses an unavoidable collision. It will also steer the vehicle to the center of the lane or roadway. It also features adaptive cruise control, which adjusts cruising speed to match the car it is following. The Odyssey also offers park assist, cross traffic alert and blind spot awareness.

4. HondaLink app for smartphones

The Honda Odyssey offers the HondaLink app at the higher trim levels. This handy app works on mobile devices allowing the user to check fuel levels, control door locks and even remotely start and preheat or precool the vehicle. The app also features a parking reminder so you will never forget where you parked your car. You can even send destinations from your mobile device instantly to the navigation system for turn by turn navigation.

5. Cargo space and multiple seat configurations

The 2019 Honda Odyssey features Magic Slide second row seats. The Magic Slide feature allows easy access to the third row. The second row seats can also be adjusted to be closer to the front row. The Odyssey seats eight people comfortably. The Odyssey also allows for a maximum cargo capacity of almost 160 cubic feet. This cargo space capacity is some of the best across all vehicle segments. You can easily load and haul cargo as large as a stack of four foot by eight foot plywood in the Odyssey.

6. Luxurious riding conditions

The Odyssey interior comes jam packed with extras, but it also nails the basics. The interior is attractive and modern with comfortable, supportive seats. It offers a luxurious surrounding for the whole family. It also features a smooth ride and can navigate some of the more bumpy roads without the passengers feeling a thing.

7. Great standard features

The 2019 Honda Odyssey LX is the base model and offers a capable V6 engine. It also comes standard with spill resistant upholstery, remote entry, push-button stop and start, a seven speaker audio system and Bluetooth. Also included is a backup camera that offers three views of what may be waiting behind you when you back up. It also features a nine speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The LX also has an Eco-Assist System to manage fuel usage.

8. Engine has good balance

The Honda Odyssey only offers one engine option. It is a 280 horsepower 3.5 liter V6 that provides good acceleration considering the size of the vehicle. The boost in power comes at little cost at the pump. The Odyssey gets 19 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway. This gas mileage is very similar to other class leading minivans. The combination of ample power and less stops at the pump make the Odyssey a solid performer both on the track and at the pump.

9. Good Warranty Coverage

The Odyssey is covered by a three year or 36,000 mile limited warranty and the powertrain is covered for five years or 60,000 miles. Honda also offers roadside assistance and service contracts.

10. Safety ratings and enhancements

The Honda Odyssey is a remarkably safe vehicle. Aside from the optional Honda Sensing technology and other available features like blind spot monitoring and cross traffic alert, the Odyssey earned a perfect rating in all tests from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The combination of collision mitigation options and the high crash test scores make it an excellent choice in terms of safety.

 

Reasons Not to Buy a 2019 Honda Odyssey – The Cons

1. No significant changes for 2019

The 2019 Honda Odyssey was newly redesigned in 2018, so not much has changed since then. The 2018 redesign brought a lot of improvements, but vehicles are typically not redesigned each year. Though there is a lot to be excited about in the 2019 Odyssey, there isn't technically anything new.

2. Cost of the base model is high

There is no arguing the fact that there are cheaper base models available in 2019. Despite the high price, buyers will get a great minivan and lots of standard options. Some buyers may be more comfortable giving up the quality and features you get with the Odyssey and going with a less expensive minivan.

3. Standard model does not include everything

There are a variety of upgrades available at all trim levels of the 2019 Honda Odyssey. Once buyers see what they can get at higher trim levels, they may not want to consider the base package. One detail that sticks out is the lack of an eight inch touchscreen in the base model. LX owners will have to settle for a five inch display instead.

How it stacks up to the competition:

At the top of the minivan heap for 2019 are the Odyssey, the Pacifica and the Toyota Sienna. Compared to the Sienna, the Odyssey only lacks one thing. The Sienna is the only minivan to offer all wheel drive. Aside from this fact, the Odyssey makes up a tremendous amount of ground with more standard and available features and better performance and handling. If all wheel drive is not a deal breaker, the Odyssey may very well be the better buy. Compared to the Pacifica, the Odyssey makes a great case for itself with the amount of family friendly innovations it offers. The Odyssey allows social playlists and night vision rear seat monitoring. It also features the Honda CabinTalk capability.

Conclusion:

The 2019 Honda Odyssey ranks very high in the minivan category. It features a great combination of safety, technology and performance features. The 2019 Honda Odyssey has both great crash test results and great standard safety features. It also offers a variety of upgrades among the upper trim levels in the safety department. It also has excellent technological advancements. The mobile device app, CabinTalk and available Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are just a small sample of the technological advances offered. It is also scores very high in performance and handling with a 280 horsepower V6, smooth ride and low roll around corners. In all, the Odyssey is a very well rounded vehicle that puts its passengers first and goes to great lengths to make it fun for the whole family.