2009 Used Honda Odyssey Manchester NH

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For 2009, Honda's ultimate people mover, the Odyssey, gets a power rear liftgate as optional equipment on the EX-L. Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity is also a newly available option on the EX-L, and is included with the optional navigation system. The Honda Odyssey minivan lives up to Honda's reputation for refinement, convenient features and great fit and finish. The 2009 Honda Odyssey has it all: great road manners, easy passenger and cargo flexibility, a full array of safety equipment and better fuel economy than most SUVs. The Touring model in particular will appeal to buyers seeking the versatility of a minivan with the accommodations and features of a luxury sedan. There are other minivans that rival the Odyssey's family-friendly features, but the Honda combines those attributes with confident driving dynamics and a long-standing record of reliability, making it an all-around family favorite.

Powering the Used Odyssey

The top two trim levels use an updated Variable Cylinder Management version of Honda's 3.5-liter V-6, which shifts automatically between six-, four- and three-cylinder operation in response to driving conditions. A regular V-6 goes into the LX and EX. Honda's 3.5-liter V6 engine is smooth, powerful, clean and fuel efficient. The advantage the iVTEC engine has is its VCM system, which deactivates two or three of the six cylinders whenever the Odyssey is cruising at a steady speed. Parking is easy. The turning radius is among the tightest of any minivan, making it an easy to make U-turns and maneuver in parking lots. The park-assist system, with beeping tones that warn the driver of other bumpers front and rear, helps considerably when parallel parking. Acceleration is better than that of most other minivans. Honda claims 0 to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds, which is very quick indeed. Yet even when it has all 244 horsepower pulsing through its front wheels, the Odyssey is almost devoid of torque steer, an impressive feat.

2009 Honda Odyssey Design

All models have dual sliding side doors, and all but the LX have power operation on both sides. Pulling the door handle halts the power doors, and a power liftgate is standard on Touring models and optional on EX-L models. All models come with two sliding doors, manually operated on the LX and electrically operated on all other models. The power windows in each of the side doors can be opened in the same fashion as in a car. The tailgate is electrically operated in the top-of-the-line Touring. The Odyssey boasts Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure. The vehicle's crush zones have been engineered to provide good protection for occupants while minimizing damage in a collision with smaller vehicles and pedestrians. Its body structure is rigid, which contributes to crisp handling and a smooth ride. A low drag coefficient helps improve fuel economy and high-speed stability.

Inside the '09 Odyssey

Seating for seven consists of bucket seats in the first and second rows and a 60/40-split third-row bench that folds into the floor. EX, EX-L and Touring models seat eight people thanks to a removable center seat in the second row that can stow into a recessed compartment, which can be used for storage when the seat isn't stowed. Eight people can fit in the Odyssey with the available PlusOne seat that fits between the two captain's chairs in the second row. If it's not needed as a seat, it can be turned into a table or stowed in the floor in place of the Lazy Susan bin. If the PlusOne seat is not being used, the right-hand seat can be slid across to allow easier access to the third-row seats. This flexibility makes the Odyssey a versatile people hauler. The navigation system is one of the easiest to operate using its on-screen menus and includes Zagat restaurant data. The large eight-inch monitor is positioned high on the dashboard for easy viewing. The system also responds to voice commands, and we found it responds effectively. It's capable of responding to more than 600 voice commands and is smart enough to understand different accents and find locations without any need for input other than by voice. Apart from navigation, the system can be used to operate the radio and climate controls.

2009 Odyssey Lineup

The LX comes with cloth upholstery, seating for seven with second-row caption's chairs and a 60/40 split fold-down rear seats. It also has manual sliding side doors, manual seat controls, front and rear air conditioning, air-filtration system, power door locks with remote keyless entry, power windows, power exterior mirrors, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, cruise control, AM/FM/CD stereo with auxiliary input jack, theft-deterrent system, and P235/65R16 tires on steel wheels with hubcaps.

The EX adds power sliding doors, tri-zone automatic climate control, eight-way power driver's seat, a storable second-row PlusOne seat, in-dash six-disc CD changer, steering wheel audio controls, heated exterior mirrors, universal garage door opener, conversation mirror, second-row sunshades, roof rails, rear spoiler, and alloy wheels.

The EX-L adds leather upholstery, heated front seats, a four-way power adjustable front passenger seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, power moonroof, XM satellite radio, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Honda's active noise reduction, and the iVTEC engine with Variable Cylinder Management.The EX-L is available with the DVD rear-seat entertainment system, and the navigation system with rearview camera can be added to that.

The Touring has a slightly stiffer suspension for improved handling and a 350-watt audio system with six-disc CD changer, seven speakers and a subwoofer.It also gets the navigation system, front and rear park assist, a power tailgate, memory for the driver's seat and mirrors, power-adjustable pedals, 17 cupholders, outside mirror tilt-down backup aid, Bluetooth wireless cell phone link, trip computer, compass and outside temperature display, automatic headlights, fog lights, the DVD rear-seat entertainment system, and P235/60R17 tires.The Touring comes with the iVTEC engine with VCM.The Touring is available with Michelin PAX run-flat tires.

Conclusions

Last year, the Odyssey minivan received an exterior and interior refresh, and the V-6 engine was updated to improve fuel economy. Four trim levels are offered: LX, EX, EX-L and Touring. With seating for seven or eight passengers, the Odyssey competes with minivans like the Toyota Sienna, Dodge Grand Caravan and Hyundai Entourage. Overall, the Honda Odyssey might be the best minivan on the market. It's one of the most enjoyable to drive and lives up to Honda's reputation for refinement, convenience, and great fit and finish. Its flexible seating system can accommodate up to eight passengers and it has plenty of room. In short, it's a good choice for families. Safety equipment that comes standard on all models includes dual-stage front airbags, front side-impact airbags, curtain-style head-protection airbags for all three rows of seats and deploy in case of a rollover, active front head restraints, a tire-pressure monitor, antilock brakes with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution, traction control, and electronic stability control. A rearview camera, run-flat tires, and front and rear park assist are also available. For updates on this Honda model, visit the official Honda Odyssey site!

Some information for this review was obtained from NewCarTestDrive.com.