After one month with our own 2015 Honda Odyssey EX, the most annoying issue turns out to be the compact size of the sunglasses holder.
The roof-mounted sunglasses pocket does double duty as the conversation mirror, a wonderful minivan feature that enables the driver and front passenger to see everything that’s going on in the second and third rows. Whether this is the cause for the limited space available for sunglasses, we know not.
Let’s be clear, it’s a tiny fault. (Moreover, sunglasses still fit, they just need to make an artful entrance.) But the nitpicking of our key Odyssey criticism serves to prove the overall strength of the Odyssey.
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2015 HONDA ODYSSEY EX
Base Price: $32,145 * As-Tested Price: $37,195 * Tires: 235/65R17 Michelin Primacy MXV4
EPA City: 19 MPG EPA Highway: 28 MPG NRCAN OEE City: 12.3 L/100km
NRCAN OEE Hwy: 8.5 L/100km Observed: 24.8 mpg Observed: 9.5 L/100km Best Trip: 7.5 L/100km Worst Trip: 15.3 L/100km Monthly Mileage: 2105 km Total Mileage To Date: 2266 km * Canadian dollars, includes $1795 in fees. |
The transmission, an early cause for complaints, seems to be coming into its own with increased mileage, rarely flubbing or clunking a shift. As expected, we’ve become accustomed to HondaLink’s dual screen layout and are fond of its processing speed. Power is plentiful, handling remains top-of-the-class, and overall build quality impresses every first-time occupant.
We added a hitch-mounted Thule Vertex 4 bike carrier. with a great price from our local Kia dealership, of all places. Although the Odyssey can swallow bikes, this makes for a lot more interior space, particularly when a bike trailer takes up residence inside.
The Odyssey served pickup truck duty when we were called upon to address water concerns on a family member’s apartment balcony this past Saturday. Eight plastic sheets measuring eight feet by 30 inches plus four ten-foot-long 2x4s were brought home from Home Depot with the tailgate closed.
Two days later we drove home from a family reunion in Northport, Nova Scotia, with our own assorted goods plus the luggage (two play pens, three suitcases, one suitbag, multiple small bags) of another family. That the Odyssey can accomplish these tasks isn’t surprising. That the Odyssey wasn’t even remotedly close to being maxed out is the true accomplishment.
Timothy Cain is the founder of GoodCarBadCar.net, which obsesses over the free and frequent publication of U.S. and Canadian auto sales figures. Follow on Twitter @goodcarbadcar and on Facebook.
