2022 Honda Odyssey Review: Make Minivans Great Again
The rise of the crossover and SUV in the USA has dramatically impacted sedan and hatchback sales, but we often forget that minivans are also suffering. Dodge's Grand Caravan was a dominant force in the nineties, but now it's nothing more than a poor imitation of its former self; this left the door wide open for the Honda Odyssey and Chrysler's Pacifica. But are these minivans still relevant?
We like an honest car, a car that knows what it is and doesn't pretend to be anything more than that, like the Odyssey. Honda has kept on top of competitors by implementing a series of updates, with the manufacturer recently providing some substantial upgrades to the minivan. The first round was in July 2020 for the 2021 model year, followed by the introduction of the 2022 model year in January 2021. The mechanics remain the same, however, and the 3.5-liter V6 under the hood still puts out 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, but a few changes to the spec sheet have been made. Honda obviously wants to keep dominating this segment, arming the Odyssey with everything it needs to go up against its main rivals, the Chrysler Pacifica and Toyota Sienna.
2022 Odyssey Exterior
Dimensions
| Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 205.2 in | 118.1 in | 68.3 in | 78.5 in | 67.3 in | 67.2 in | 4,398.0 lbs |
2022 Odyssey Performance
Handling and Driving Impressions
The steering is surprisingly sharp, and it gives the driver loads of feedback. Perfect for a heavy minivan that will spend most of its time in packed suburbs and parking lots. The brakes are also powerful, and it never feels as if the forward momentum of this big people-mover will cause them to fade. It's not an exciting thing to drive, but that's hardly the point. In a minivan, you want a comfortable, compliant, and predictable suspension setup. The Odyssey does feel more car-like than most of its rivals, but there are certain situations where it struggles to hide its size. Go through a corner at high speed, and you'll soon remember that you have another 13 feet of minivan behind you.
The 19-inch alloys spoil the otherwise well-balanced ride quality a bit, and it's a pity the Touring, and Elite models can't be ordered with smaller 18-inch wheels. We'd gladly sacrifice the sportier alloys for improved bump-absorbing abilities.
2022 Odyssey Interior
2022 Odyssey Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
| Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Years / 36,000 Miles | 5 Years / 60,000 Miles | 5 Years / Unlimited Miles | 3 Years / 36,000 Miles |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
| Overall Rating | Frontal Barrier Crash Rating | Side Crash Rating | Rollover Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Verdict: Is the 2022 Honda Odyssey A Good Minivan?
The minivan segment is small yet highly competitive. To keep an edge over competitors, these cars constantly have to be updated. Our last review complained about the lack of standard driver assistance features on base models, and now this problem has been rectified. Overall, the Odyssey is an excellent vehicle. The quality is good, and the interior is a well-thought-out space. It also offers a car-like driving experience that competitors struggle to match. Its pricing is more than reasonable, and prospective customers can't ignore the fantastic safety ratings, especially since this is a family car.
The only real criticism we can level against the Odyssey is the lack of alternative engine options. We're big fans of the V6, and it is relatively frugal, but we can also see why a mild-hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrain would be more suited to this kind of car. Still, there's a very good reason the Odyssey remains a class leader in the eyes of the collective motoring media. It's an honest, good-quality minivan that does its job exceptionally well.
2022 Honda Odyssey Comparisons
2022 Honda Odyssey vs Toyota Sienna
The Sienna used to be the minivan with the most power, but Toyota now only offers a hybrid powertrain; Honda's 280-hp Odyssey easily trounces the Sienna's 245 hp. The Odyssey is more engaging to drive, too, but it's worth remembering what these cars are all about. The Sienna isn't as spacious as the Odyssey, but it matches Honda's safety specifications with its own comprehensive suite. To our eyes, the Sienna also looks better. What sets the Sienna apart is its fuel consumption. Its 36/36/36 mpg claimed figures are excellent and miles ahead of the Honda and its old-school engine. As mentioned earlier, a hybrid powertrain is perfect in a car like this that will spend most of its time moving between destinations in the suburbs. For that reason, we prefer the Sienna.
2022 Honda Odyssey vs Chrysler Pacifica
As the Chrysler comes in two flavors, the standard gas-fed variant as well as a plug-in hybrid, there's a lot to think about when comparing these two. The Pacifica's V6 produces slightly higher outputs than the Odyseey, and as a result, very similar gas mileage figures. The plug-in hybrid Pacifica is the perfect blend of practicality and frugality, though, with leading fuel economy figures for the segment. But there is one big fly in the ointment: it costs a lot more than the Odyssey and Sienna.
Like Honda, Chrysler is constantly updating the Pacifica to keep it competitive. This is not good news for Honda because we already preferred the pre-update Chrysler. The Odyssey may have a nicer engine and gearbox combo, but the Pacifica's interior is a much better space to spend time. For 2021, Chrysler added a new class-leading 10.1-inch infotainment system and 12 USB charging ports. The driver assistance features on the Pacifica also used to be locked behind a paywall, but like Honda, Chrysler now offers all of it as standard across the range. For these reasons, it remains our favorite minivan.