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13th
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Ah, the minivan: nearly as taboo as the station wagon and with a chip so big on its shoulder, it's hard to see the vehicle below sometimes. Why the stigma? These big, bulbous people carriers are generally back-heavy, laborious to drive/park and aren't very dynamic when it comes to “spirited” driving.
Well, they were.
While I'm not a complete convert just yet, I'll admit the 2012 Honda Odyssey dragged me a little closer to the “I could possibly live with a minivan” state of mind.
You don't need four children to love it
Some blamed my new love for the 2012 Honda Odyssey on the fact that I've recently entered the realm of parenthood. However, with only one 10-month-old son my need for a “big” vehicle has yet to surface.
Yet, it's not until you have it that you realize you want it.
With room for eight (and I mean room), plus a ridiculous trunk that (with all the seats up) offers up 1,087 litres of space, the 2012 Honda Odyssey is truly cavernous. With both rows down, it has enough room to swallow virtually anything with 4,205 litres of cargo volume. Children, dogs, groceries, in-laws, suitcases, strollers, car seats; throw it all in there and it'll fit. Fabulous.
While I didn't load up the 2012 Honda Odyssey to the gills, I did transfer my son's car seat to the second row so we could experience this family vehicle together (how apropos, no?). I put his large running stroller in the trunk and I packed a few overnight bags for a weekend at the grandparent's. I even delivered a rather large and awkward Jumparoo to a friend. All without much effort thanks to the Odyssey's grand interior space.
A juxtaposition of styling
As for the interior styling of the 2012 Honda Odyssey; I was a bit torn. While I absolutely love the centre stack, I was a bit disappointed in the gauge cluster. Where the centre stack looks futuristic and “styled,” the driver gauges are old school and don't quite fit. I absolutely love the buttons and position of the navigation knob on the centre stack. Honda really thought this one through. Their onboard entertainment system is extremely easy to navigate, and the Bluetooth hookup was, perhaps, the easiest I've had to deal with in quite some time.
In the rear, backlit climate control stations hover over each sliding door. Seats in the 2012 Honda Odyssey are spacious and comfortable. While not overly supportive, they are good for long hauls. Arm rests up front and a ridiculous amount of storage spaces and nooks and crannies (Honda's speciality) mean every passenger can have their own personal “space” for family road trips (great for multiple siblings).
Outside, the 2012 Honda Odyssey is, by far, the best looking minivan on the road today. Space-age with just enough modern sophistication to please all ages, the Odyssey looks good. And I absolutely adored the automatic sliding doors (and would open them often with the key fob just because I could).
Doing what Honda does
So, what happens if you're someone who loves to drive and you suddenly find yourself with 3+ children under the age of 3? What do you do? You panic and realize you either need to spend a ridiculous amount on a 7-seater SUV or bite the bullet and get a minivan.
A close friend of mine recently bit that bullet and purchased a brand new Honda Odyssey after his twin boys were born. Why? Because of the way it drove -- and I couldn't agree with him more.
Equipped with a 3.5L i-VTEC V6, the 2012 Honda Odyssey has 248 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque. Coupled with a responsive 5-speed automatic transmission, this Honda can go despite a near 2,000 kg curb weight. Throttle response is surprisingly lively as is steering and handling. I often forgot I was driving a minivan until I had to brake suddenly (oh right, I have a rear end) or corner (again, that rear). It was shockingly enjoyable to drive.
Over the course of the week, I managed to average 11L/100km overall with the 2012 Honda Odyssey. This, again, is impressive for a vehicle its size. And I wasn't trying to be conservative, the car does that all on its own. While I was pleased with the fuel mileage, I was not pleased with the 80L gas tank that cost a pretty penny to fill thanks to its size. However, it should “technically” last you longer.
Minivan for the masses
Final verdict? Well, I'm not about to go out and drop the near $30,000 MSRP on a new base Honda Odyssey nor am I about to pop out enough children to warrant buying one. However, I will recommend the 2012 Honda Odyssey for those in need of a stylish, capable, fuel-efficient people carrier.
Well, they were.
While I'm not a complete convert just yet, I'll admit the 2012 Honda Odyssey dragged me a little closer to the “I could possibly live with a minivan” state of mind.
 |
You don't need four children to love it
Some blamed my new love for the 2012 Honda Odyssey on the fact that I've recently entered the realm of parenthood. However, with only one 10-month-old son my need for a “big” vehicle has yet to surface.
Yet, it's not until you have it that you realize you want it.
With room for eight (and I mean room), plus a ridiculous trunk that (with all the seats up) offers up 1,087 litres of space, the 2012 Honda Odyssey is truly cavernous. With both rows down, it has enough room to swallow virtually anything with 4,205 litres of cargo volume. Children, dogs, groceries, in-laws, suitcases, strollers, car seats; throw it all in there and it'll fit. Fabulous.
While I didn't load up the 2012 Honda Odyssey to the gills, I did transfer my son's car seat to the second row so we could experience this family vehicle together (how apropos, no?). I put his large running stroller in the trunk and I packed a few overnight bags for a weekend at the grandparent's. I even delivered a rather large and awkward Jumparoo to a friend. All without much effort thanks to the Odyssey's grand interior space.
 |
| With both rows down, it has enough room to swallow virtually anything with 4,205 litres of cargo volume. (Photo: Olivier Croteau) |
A juxtaposition of styling
As for the interior styling of the 2012 Honda Odyssey; I was a bit torn. While I absolutely love the centre stack, I was a bit disappointed in the gauge cluster. Where the centre stack looks futuristic and “styled,” the driver gauges are old school and don't quite fit. I absolutely love the buttons and position of the navigation knob on the centre stack. Honda really thought this one through. Their onboard entertainment system is extremely easy to navigate, and the Bluetooth hookup was, perhaps, the easiest I've had to deal with in quite some time.
In the rear, backlit climate control stations hover over each sliding door. Seats in the 2012 Honda Odyssey are spacious and comfortable. While not overly supportive, they are good for long hauls. Arm rests up front and a ridiculous amount of storage spaces and nooks and crannies (Honda's speciality) mean every passenger can have their own personal “space” for family road trips (great for multiple siblings).
Outside, the 2012 Honda Odyssey is, by far, the best looking minivan on the road today. Space-age with just enough modern sophistication to please all ages, the Odyssey looks good. And I absolutely adored the automatic sliding doors (and would open them often with the key fob just because I could).
 |
| Where the centre stack looks futuristic and “styled,” the driver gauges are old school and don't quite fit. (Photo: Olivier Croteau) |
Doing what Honda does
So, what happens if you're someone who loves to drive and you suddenly find yourself with 3+ children under the age of 3? What do you do? You panic and realize you either need to spend a ridiculous amount on a 7-seater SUV or bite the bullet and get a minivan.
A close friend of mine recently bit that bullet and purchased a brand new Honda Odyssey after his twin boys were born. Why? Because of the way it drove -- and I couldn't agree with him more.
Equipped with a 3.5L i-VTEC V6, the 2012 Honda Odyssey has 248 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque. Coupled with a responsive 5-speed automatic transmission, this Honda can go despite a near 2,000 kg curb weight. Throttle response is surprisingly lively as is steering and handling. I often forgot I was driving a minivan until I had to brake suddenly (oh right, I have a rear end) or corner (again, that rear). It was shockingly enjoyable to drive.
Over the course of the week, I managed to average 11L/100km overall with the 2012 Honda Odyssey. This, again, is impressive for a vehicle its size. And I wasn't trying to be conservative, the car does that all on its own. While I was pleased with the fuel mileage, I was not pleased with the 80L gas tank that cost a pretty penny to fill thanks to its size. However, it should “technically” last you longer.
 |
| Equipped with a 3.5L i-VTEC V6, the 2012 Honda Odyssey has 248 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Olivier Croteau) |
Minivan for the masses
Final verdict? Well, I'm not about to go out and drop the near $30,000 MSRP on a new base Honda Odyssey nor am I about to pop out enough children to warrant buying one. However, I will recommend the 2012 Honda Odyssey for those in need of a stylish, capable, fuel-efficient people carrier.