The minivan aesthetic has been pushed away from the public eye in recent years, but why? Seemingly, SUVs are being considered the cool family vehicles, while the minivans are now seen as a relic of the 20th century. However, the 2021 Honda Odyssey may be flipping that around, with its sleek aesthetic, far more room, and admirable performance. So, let’s take a look at all of the nitty-gritty details that make this minivan a top choice, over the loved SUVs, on the family-vehicle market.
Starting With Trims
Let’s start with the trims. Having various options when looking at a model can be useful in ensuring you find exactly the features and price you are looking to get. There are five 2021 Honda Odyssey trims, the LX, the EX, the EX-L, the Touring, and the Elite, which allow for every driver to find the perfect configuration for them. And the MSRP ranges from $31,790 at the base model to $47,820 on the high end. With that in mind, this is a very affordable vehicle. But what do you get for your money? We are about to find out.
That Honda Style
Right of the bat, the 2021 Honda Odyssey simply looks like a Honda. It has very distinctive lines and trims that have become integral to the Honda aesthetic. The headlight housing has chrome inside and projector-style beams that are similar to the Pilot or Accord. Fog lamps and additional exterior lighting can be found below the headlights.
The grille has been updated for the 2021 version, distinguishing it from the 2020 model. The whole bottom length of the cabin windows is trimmed with chrome to give the vehicle some character. Another surprising feature is the electric sliding doors on the Odyssey. The back includes a low roof spoiler with more chrome trim. The look is finished at the back with no exhaust pipes being exposed, which keeps the look sleek and professional.
A Spacious and Upscale Interior
On the inside of the 2021 Honda Odyssey, you may be shocked by the upscale experience and spaciousness. We should put an emphasis on the space allotted since minivan users value space much more than other drivers. Unlike many other minivans, the third row can comfortably seat an adult, with plenty of leg space, and the seats even lean back (a feature that is very rare in the last row of minivans). And if needed, the third-row seats stow into the cargo floor, allowing for a flat area to store equipment or materials as you go.
The second row has unique features that go a long way. The individual seats are able to slide, so if an occupant decides they would rather sit in the middle rather than the sides, you can slide the seats together and sit as you please. You could even slide the two seats together and create extra space on the sides as an alternative. As a final note, the second-row seats can be folded for even more space if you are moving larger items. With this row and the third row folded down, drivers of the Odyssey have up to a massive 158 cu.ft. of cargo space.
The front row of the cabin also gives ample space. You have a ratcheting captain’s chair that is able to be modified to your liking. The infotainment system leaves little to be desired. And there are many other features in the Odyssey, like this system, that make it one of the most technology-inclusive vehicles on the road.
Jam-Packed With Features
The 2021 Honda Odyssey boasts many experience-enhancing features that shouldn’t be ignored. Something specific that is worth mentioning would be the host of Honda sensing safety and driver-assistive technologies. These include features such as forward-collision and lane-departure warnings so that drivers are always aware of their positioning on the road. There are also many active safety features, such as LED daytime running lights, a multi-angle rearview camera, electronic brake distribution, and vehicle stability assist with traction control.
In terms of features relating to comfort and connectivity, the 2021 Odyssey is also quite gracious. The vehicle offers Bluetooth HandFreeLink and Streaming Audio. With these features, you won’t be struggling to figure out how to connect your phone to your speakers; it is already built-in. If you do prefer to go the old fashioned route, there is also an MP3/auxiliary input jack to connect your music to.
The Odyssey also includes plenty of USB charging ports. Depending on trim, there is a varying range of USB ports included. The LX includes one in the center console. The EX includes one port in the front console. The EX-L includes one port in the front console as well as two ports in the 2nd row. The Touring and Elite trims include one port in the front console, two in the 2nd row, and one in the 3rd row.
And for those of you who prefer to sync your phones with the vehicle, the 2021 Odyssey is quite technologically advanced. The vehicle includes HondaLink, Apple CarPlay integration, and Android Auto integration. If you plan on going with the Touring or Elite trims, the vehicle also has CabinTalk through headphones in the touring, or through headphones and speakers in the elite. This is great for those who drive with many passengers and only want to speak to certain passengers while driving.
Fantastic Performance
Due to the 10-speed automatic transmission, you will notice that the shifting is smooth, and the 2021 Honda Odyssey gets you up to speed fairly quickly for such a big vehicle. At the end of the day, it is a minivan. However, while you are driving it, it really feels like a normal car. It seems, in this case, that the stigma about minivans being large and hard to maneuver may just not be so accurate.
In fact, this vehicle has an excellent engine offering. All trims are equipped with a V6 engine that produces up to 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. This standard-across-the-board engine is far more powerful than the average SUV’s standard engine. So what is it that makes everyone pick SUVs so often? It is seemingly pretty clear that the 2021 Honda Odyssey has a lot more to offer.
Final Verdict
All in all, the 2021 Honda Odyssey is a zippy vehicle with plenty of space. It also provides all the comforts and all of the space that you could ever ask for. It is highly customizable to ensure that any occupant will be comfy on long or short rides, and can be configured for extra space if there is a need to transport materials or equipment. Plus, the performance is quite impressive overall. The 2021 Odyssey drives smoothly and swiftly like a sedan and is more powerful than many SUVs.
Ultimately, the 2021 Honda Odyssey is worthy of some attention, since it is throwing off the stigma of minivans and showing that it can be just as competitive as SUVs in the market. So if you are looking for a vehicle with ample space, great performance, and quite literally anything you could ever want in a vehicle, consider the Honda Odyssey. You might be surprised by how fast you fall in love with a minivan.
