Road Trip: 2012 Honda Odyssey Touring

Story and photos by John LeBlanc SPRINGBROOK, P.E.I. – I’ll have no one accuse yours truly of not being thorough when it comes to big decisions. Take for instance the annual selection of a family vehicle to vacation in. It’s taken me four years—and an equal number of different rides—to come to the conclusion that I may have—perhaps, and quite possibly—found my so-called Perfect Family Vacation Vehicles—or PFVV. Our annual PFVV test drives have involved two weeks in the land of Anne Shirley—also known as Prince Edward Island. We take over the Sunrise-Over -Dunes cottage (which funnily enough, offers a great view of the sun rising using over the dunes of Cavendish National Park). While a four-passenger vehicle perfectly suits our two-parent/two-offspring vehicle needs back home, our “family” gets extended during these P.E.I adventures. Our daughter stayed home this summer so she could help pay for her post-secondary career (yeah!). But we added a mother-in-law, and friend of our younger daughter. And when on the Island, we also need to occasionally transport an aunt and uncle who summer here, as well. This means that while the vacationing chauffeur would prefer something along the lines of an Aston Martin Rapide or a Porsche Panamera, practicality prevails. So a seven-passenger ride—plus room for luggage, food, beverages, and my cherished golf clubs—is sadly a must. In past summers, I’ve tested a trio of Toyotas in our search for the PFVV: a 2009 Sequoia full-size SUV; 2010 Sienna minivan; and a 2011 Highlander Hybrid mid-size crossover. These experiences led me to try another minivan for this year’s trial, mainly because the Sienna was best at swallowing all of crew and clutter. Although no Honda S2000 when it came to clipping apexes, the Odyssey has always been one of the better driving minivans you can buy. And when the current generation was launched for 2011, Honda said it enhanced this Odyssey’s driving characteristics, fuel economy, and redesigned what was already a very accommodating and functional interior. So I promptly procured a 2012 model for our P.E.I. time. Odyssey pricing starts at $29,990 for the base model. As is the practice with media vehicles, Honda loaned me a top-rung $47,090 Touring edition. It adds among other items above the next-rung-down $41,090 EX-L Res a six-instead-of-five-speed automatic transmission, 18-inch wheels, upgraded sound system, and super-wide DVD screen. From one end of P.E.I. to the other is about the same distance between Toronto and Ottawa. So instead of huge daily mileages, our tendency is to pile the tribe into the potential PFVV and daytrip to a beach, go for a hike, play golf, or (and this is not a last resort, dear auntie and uncle) visit relatives. A challenge the Odyssey took on this summer with verve. Flexibility is one of the key features minivans owners love about their vehicles. And if not as accommodating as the more voluminous Sienna, the up-to-eight–passenger Honda did not disappoint. For most occasions, we removed the middle seat from the three-across second row. This allowed easier access to the third row, which when not being used as a rolling theatre filled in as a beach house for quick changes into swimming togs at roadside beaches. And if not as luxurious inside as a Nissan Quest, at least the Honda interior feels better screwed-together than the Toyota minivan. I won’t try and sell you on the Honda—or any minivan—as “fun-to-drive”. That would be like me telling you its spiritually uplifting to wash dishes. But the Odyssey’s still a more engaging drive than the Sienna or Quest. Like the competition, the Honda’s V6 displaces 3.5-litres. It may have less horsepower (only 248), but with 250 pound-feet, the Odyssey has the most torque for smoother launches. The Honda’s steering also delivers more feedback than its Japanese rivals, with a rear suspension that nicely limits body roll too. Of more concern for families on holiday, the Honda won’t put you out of house or cottage when it comes time to fill its tank. Rated at 10.9 L/100 km in the city and 7.1 on the highway, we saw 9.7 in our Odyssey during our over-1,800 kilometres of Island driving. Admittedly, last year’s Highlander Hybrid’s 8.3 L/100 km as-tested rating was better. But I’d trade the Honda’s extra room, better seats, and more refined handling and ride for the Toyota’s extra economy. In the Honda Odyssey, have I found the Perfect Family Vacation Vehicle? For our family’s specific needs, it comes darn close. A minivan seems to be the right fit for us. And the Odyssey is (if not the least expensive) the best minivan to suit driver and passenger requirements. Let me finish with this: next year’s PFVV will be hard pressed to match the Honda’s stellar performance. 2012 Honda Odyssey Touring Type of vehicle Front-wheel-drive minivan Engine 3.5L SOHC six-cylinder Power 248 hp @ 5.700 rpm; 250 lb-ft of torque @ 4,800 rpm Transmission Six-speed automatic Brakes Four-wheel disc with ABS Tires P235/60R18 Price: base/as tested $47,090/same Destination charge $1,640 Transport Canada fuel economy L/100 km 10.9 city, 7.1 hwy. Standard features: 18" aluminum-alloy wheels; 15 GB hard disk drive audio storage, 650-watt AM/FM/CD audio system with MP3/Windows Media®Audio playback capability with 12 speakers including subwoofer and 5.1 Surround Sound; Honda DVD Ultrawide Rear Entertainment System with 16.2-inch display; Auto-leveling High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights; traction/stability controls; alarm/anti-theft systems; leather seats; heated front sears; cool box; Honda navigation system with voice recognition with steering wheel mounted control; three-zone climate control; power sunroof/locks/windows/mirrors; cruise control;; remote keyless entry.

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