What's New
Has it really been a quarter century since the Honda Odyssey made its first appearance? Indeed it has, or otherwise Honda wouldn't be celebrating its silver anniversary with an all-new special edition package. Dubbed the 25th Anniversary Package, it includes numerous chrome bits and special badging, and can be further accessorized with unique 19-inch wheels. It's available through Honda dealers and can be added to any Odyssey trim.
Other than the milestone anniversary, the 2020 Honda Odyssey sees little other changes. The most notable update is a newly standard 10-speed automatic transmission, which in prior years came only on the Touring and Elite trims. Start-stop technology, which previously was also only available on higher-trim models, has been made standard throughout the range as well.
Choosing Your Honda Odyssey
The Odyssey is availalbe in five trims: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite. Pricing starts at $31,785 including destination for the LX and climbs to $48,415 for the Elite.
Engine Choices
Every Odyssey gets a 3.5-liter V6 making 280 horsepower and the 10-speed transmission. The combo is good for an EPA-estimated 19 miles per gallon city, 28 mpg highway, and 22 combined.
This setup drives just the front wheels; there is no all-wheel-drive option. As of now, the only minivan on the market to offer an AWD model is the Toyota Sienna.
Passenger and Cargo Capacity
A practical people mover by design, the Odyssey can carry up to eight passengers in comfort across three spacious rows. Multiple potential combinations of seat positions and upright rows lend the Odyssey the kind of versatility that makes a minivan so practical.
All models but the LX get what Honda calls Magic Slide second-row seats, which easily slide fore, aft, and even laterally to accommodate third-row passengers boarding or exiting the van. The system also allows the second-row seat to be secured within reach of the driver – a boon for parents who want to keep their child within arm's length while driving.
Remove the second row seats and fold up the third row, and you'll have 158 cubic feet of cargo space at the ready. The third row folds flush with the rest of the cargo floor, giving the Odyssey an entirely flat load floor from the rear hatch to driver's seatback. Choose to keep the second row seats in place and there's up to 92 cubes of storage space, behind the third row, up to 38 cubes.
Safety Features
Honda wasted no time in making many of the latest active-safety features standard across their full lineup. The Odyssey hasn't been exempted from this initiative, and all trims but the LX come standard with the brand's SafetySense suite of technology.
This bundle includes automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and road departure mitigation. Also standard on all models but the LX is blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beams.
It's a comprehensive list that both the Sienna and Chrysler Pacifica can't quite match. The Chrysler comes standard with rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring, but everything else is available for extra cost. The Toyota offers blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic optionally on lower trim models and makes it standard on the pricier trims.
Connectivity
Though the Odyssey LX makes do with a 5-inch LCD display for radio duty, all other models use an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. SiriusXM and HD radio technology are also nestled within the 8-inch screen. Bluetooth is standard across all models, including the LX.
The Touring and Elite models boast a number of techy gadgets not shared with the rest of the range. Highlights include: a cabin monitor that provides a camera feed of the third row, an in-car PA system to ensure everyone hears the driver's orders, a 10-inch rear entertainment system, wi-fi hotspot capability, and navigation.
LX - From $31,785
The base LX is the stripper of the lineup. The quest to keep the price down means it lacks notable features like power-sliding doors and the Magic Slide second-row seats. There are no active-safety features.
What the LX does get is a seven-speaker audio system, push-button start, one USB port, and automatic climate control. Seats are cloth and the driver seat has eight-way power adjustment. The LX only seats seven; all other models seat eight.
The 25th Anniversay Package costs either $2,800 or $1,500, depending on how much extra equipment you want bundled with it.
EX - From $35,785
Unlike the LX, the EX is equipped with all the good stuff minivan buyers want these days. This list includes the Magic Slide second-row seats, power-sliding doors, the Honda Sensing suite of features, and heated front seats.
Further improvements over the LX include integrated sunshades for the second row, programmable power door and tailgate locks, a four-way power passenger seat, a 12-way driver seat, and automatic headlights. Body color trim adorns the exterior of the EX.
Rear parking sensors are a $500 option.
EX-L - From $39,055
The middle of the lineup is held down by the EX-L. Additional standard equipment over the EX includes leather seats, a power tailgate, two second-row USB charging ports, an auto-dimming mirror, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Memory seats are standard, as is a moonroof and reverse-tilt-down exterior mirrors.
Buyers can bundle a rear-seat entertainment unit and a navigation-equipped infotainment system for $2,100. The rear entertainment center uses a 10.2-inch screen and can play Blu-ray DVDs or, in a twist to the age-old "are we there yet?" question, inform riders of how close their destination is with a Nintendo-like animated graphic.
Individual options include $300 wireless charging and a $280 hands-free tailgate.
Touring - From $46,055
With its hefty price jump over the EX-L, the Touring is where things begin to get luxurious. Some of its more sumptuous amenities include navigation, a hands-free tailgate, a trunk-mounted vacuum cleaner, and the in-car PA system.
The Touring's cabin is kept temperate by tri-zone climate control and sunshades for the third row. The rear-entertainment system, an HDMI interface, and complimentary Honda subscription services for one year are all included for no cost.
Elite - From $48,415
The top of the Odyssey totem pole is the Elite. It includes everything found in the Touring as well as wireless charging, front ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a 550-watt audio system with 11 speakers. Ambient LED lighting, rain-sensing wipers, power-folding mirrors, and acoustic glass further lend the Elite a luxurious vibe.
Compare Odyssey Trims Side-By-Side
The 2020 Honda Odyssey EX-L will be the sweet spot for most families. There's plenty of features to keep both kids and parents comfortable and content, and the cost savings over the high-zoot models could fund a road trip to Disney World for the whole clan.