Facelift - Honda Odyssey 2.4 EX 8-Seater (A)

The Honda Odyssey has been updated with a bold new look, along with an elegant-looking dashboard that houses a new 8.0-inch infotainment system. 

Among the popular Japanese car brands, Honda always stood out, and for good reasons. Reliability, innovation and performance are the hallmarks of Honda cars. The first things that come to mind are VTEC, high-revving engines and stable, confidence-inspiring handling.

There's no doubt that Honda made some of the most desirable performance cars, but are they any good when it comes to hauling people in comfort?

Facing the world with a bold new look

With that, the freshly facelifted Odyssey comes to mind. Thanks to its new face, the MPV is about as imposing as it can be. Yes, it is based on a model that was first introduced back in 2014, but Honda didn't just slap on a new front bumper and called it a day.

The entire front fascia was revamped, starting from the pair of sleek LED head lights with features that reminds you of Acura's Jewel Eye head lights, along with sequential turn indicators for that touch of elegance.

While the previous bumper and grille combination evokes a sporty feel, there's just one word fitting for the latest Odyssey - bold. The front bumper now looks flatter and taller, working with the large grille to give off an unmistakable presence on the road. Sitting atop the grille and part of the head light is a chrome garnish that's a nod towards the brand's large family sedan, the Accord.

Shielding you from the harshness of the world

The similarities with the Accord continues inside. The infotainment system has been upgraded to an 8.0-inch touchscreen display with connectivity options for both mainstream smartphones, while the instrument cluster now features a large customisable display on its left half - both equipment looks to have been lifted from the Accord.

The top half of the dashboard has also been revamped, featuring much sleeker air-con vents along with a storage compartment at the passenger side of the dashboard encased by a piece of wood-textured plastic trim piece - a practical yet elegant addition.

With its tall roofline, the Odyssey manages to offer incredulous headroom. Coupled with its low floor, it means that you can almost walk right into the cushy comfortable ride awaiting you. Inside, you'll get plush and comfortable leather seats, along with ample space, even the third row offer reasonable legroom for adults that aren't contortionists.

The best part is the lack of wind and environmental noise. You see, the Odyssey features an acoustic front windscreen along with double layer windows throughout, keeping the harshness of the world right where it should be - outside.

Sitting in the Odyssey is like travelling in your living room - spacious, quiet and comfortable.

Keeping you and your family safe and sound

But more than just that (which is already a lot to begin with), Honda Sensing System is now standard on all trim levels of the Odyssey. Safety is clearly of priority with Honda's Adaptive Cruise Control system. It keeps a considerable distance from the car in front at highway speeds, ensuring ample reaction time. Operating the cruise control is easy as well, with intuitive buttons on the steering that wouldn't have you shifting your focus from the road.

And even if there's any sudden braking, you'll be fine because the Odyssey is also equipped with Forward Collision Warning as well as Collision Mitigation Braking System, the latter of which is rather sensitive, and yet not overtly intrusive - braking occurs earlier and more gently than expected.

Lane Keeping Assist System and Road Departure Mitigation helps you stay in your lane with light nudges of the steering. It can prove to be especially useful for the long road trips that the Odyssey will be perfect for.

The ultimate family road-tripping vehicle

While the Honda Sensing System assures the Odyssey's a peach to drive on long trips, its plethora of comfort-oriented features cement its proposition as one of the best vehicle to be in for a road trip.

There are air-con vents on the headliner, for not just the second row occupants, but for the third row as well, along with plenty of cupholders and cubbyholes scattered throughout - perfect to hold those snacks from the petrol kiosk breaks. There's even a 12V socket for the third row passengers to keep their devices charged.

I don't know about you, but I'll be plenty happy watching Netflix on my phone, sipping on a soft drink and munching some snack in the well-insulated Odyssey while on a trip up to Genting Highlands. Behind the last row of seats is a recessed boot area which also houses it when folded down, to create a flat, spacious cargo area that can swallow the largest of suitcases - the super-low floor of the Odyssey makes cargo loading a breeze as well.

The power of Earth Dreams

Also a breeze is the way the Odyssey dances on the tarmac. Powered by the same 2.4-litre Earth Dreams engine equipped with i-VTEC, the car produces 174bhp and 225Nm of torque. It may not sound plenty, but the Odyssey is surprisingly light-footed off the line despite its heft.

Unexpected from a large MPV, the Odyssey manages to handle with a tinge of sportiness. There isn't the usual excessive body flex that you might associate with large, tall van-like vehicles. Instead, the body control is excellent, with a nicely weighted steering that keeps you feeling in control all the time. The stiff body along with the nicely damped suspension manages to attain a sweet spot - riding over tall, narrow humps, like those you find in carparks, is an uneventful affair.

While the Odyssey is no Civic Type-R, it was never meant to be one. What it manages to offer instead, is just what you'll seek in a large family hauler, along with the added spice that only Honda can give.

If you're in the market for an MPV, the Odyssey should be on your shortlist. There's only one gripe with it though - for some reason, there isn't any auto headlight function despite all the bells and whistles of the Honda Sensing System...

Credits: sgCarMart. Author: Goh Zhi Xuan

Original Source: https://www.sgcarmart.com/news/review.php?AID=1751