Honda Odyssey 2.4 EX (A) 

The Review

To date, I have no regrets switching to the Honda Odyssesy after giving up my Bimmer E46. Despite ODC's larger engine, it's just as economical in fuel consumption yet is more versatile (more space with varying seating options) and more comfortable. Yes, it doesn't handle as well as the Bimmer and doesn't have its amazing brakes but its other strengths soon cast the things that the Bimmer has to distant memory (or am I getting old?). Oh one more thing...my family all love riding in it.

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The Review

I’m writing about my dad’s Odyssey. It’s a car he selfishly keeps to himself and refuses to let neither me nor my mum drive it. I had two days with it last week because he was out of the country for a business trip and I had to fetch everyone to and back from work/school. And now I know why he doesn’t want me to drive it. It’s good! The engine is powerful and willing. It allows for easy overtaking moves and effortless cruising. However, the auto gearbox, while being the typical smooth Honda gearbox, suffers from too long a lag between throttle input and actual performance output. Put it into manual mode and everything’s solved. The biggest and shiniest star on the Odyssey’s report card is its handling characteristics. It really does handle like a large car than an oversized MPV. It feels a lot shorter than it is. I started out driving it with the expectations that it is much bigger than that I’m used to and I thought it needed a huge turning radius. After a few turns, I realised that the car could turn in a much sharper and smaller turning radius. It was a big and pleasant surprise. Looks wise, it is definitely pleasant and youthful, unlike some other SUV/MPVs. The interior however, is more of a matter of personal preference. There are a lot of faux wood trimmings and brushed aluminium and plastics all over the place. It might look messy and cluttered but I think it floats with me, so it doesn’t bug me as much as it does to other people. The instrument panel is luxuriously lit and it gives the driver a sense of occasion every time he goes for a drive. The Odyssey is great but not without flaws. Nitty gritty stuff like the A pillar being too far away due to the long dashboard and being a little too big, causes a huge blind area in the front and side of the car. This is particularly annoying when you need to look out for oncoming traffic. The brakes are also a little insufficient when it comes to braking. It carries a lot of heft but hides it well. However, you cannot cheat the laws of physics and when it comes down to crunch time and you need your brakes, it isn’t reassuring, at all. It is sufficient for normal use but for any emergency cases, I wouldn’t want to bet my life on it. ABS or not. Overall, it is a splendid ride to own for a family man. It is spacious, comfortable (air con vents everywhere) and fun to drive. It satisfies the driver with it being a nice handling car but it pampers its passengers even more. With a serene ride quality, good sound isolation and exquisite comfort, passengers really won’t mind going on an odyessy.

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