2024 Honda Odyssey Elite - Too nice for the kids?

 

There is still a market for vans, once the preferred mode of transportation for millions of families. Yes SUVs may be what many think of as a family vehicle today but the van, or mini-van (although it's not too mini), still finds favor.

I can think of two positives right off the top of my head for the 2024 Odyssey specifically; the low floor height and sliding rear side doors are reasons to buy an Odyssey. The low floor is not only an aid for old folks like me, but also for the little ones. The sliding doors mean when your kids jump out they are not going to ding the car next to you.

And there is one more reason, the wonderful 3.5-liter V6. On paper there's nothing special about the V6; it is a single overhead cam design, and makes a respectable but not outstanding 280 h.p. and 262 lb-ft. It can move the almost 4,600 lb. Odyssey to 60 mph in about 6.7 seconds, and it is rated at 19-mpg around town and 28-mpg on the highway. I equaled the highway mileage and saw a combined of 24.3 combined. And it sounds sweet.

The power goes out through a 10-speed automatic to the front wheels. I got into it pretty hard a couple of times, squawking the front tires - I didn't mean to the first time - and there was negligible torque steer. 

The road manners were fine. It is a van and it does weigh over 2 tons, and it is, or looks big, so don't expect it to be a luxury Civic Type R, but it won't embarrass you on the back roads. The low floor lowers the center of gravity which helps.

If I have any complaint about the Odyssey it is a common one from me - the shift apparatus. I suppose there are some people who like a system with multiple buttons but it isn't me. I recently saw an opinion piece that said all vehicles should have column shifters. I'd take a floor shifter too. 'Nuff said.

Allegedly you can seat eight people in the Odyssey; two front, three middle, and three rear. You can but I wouldn't want to be the middle person back there.

Most reviews talk about the "Magic Slide" middle seats. Yes they are nice but I just loved the rear seat that can flip over so you can sit and look out the open hatch. I took the Odyssey Elite to the Pacific Ocean, got some lunch, and recentered myself with the soothing sights and sounds. 

As I asked in the title, is the Odyssey Elite too nice for kids? (No offence to your well behave little ones.) I'd say yes unless you have a detailer on speed dial. And if your kids are toddlers you really do not need the 500 watt premium sound system for "Baby Shark." In fact I'd say the Elite is more executive transportation than soccer team transportation.

The Odyssey is not a small van, it is 205.2" long, 78.5" wide, and 69.6" tall. It is garagable. Every 2024 Odyssey can tow up to 3,500 lbs, enough for a vacation trailer.

There are five Odyssey versions - EX, EX-L, Sport, Touring, and Elite. They all use the same engine and transmission. It's all about how plush you want it. Price-wise they start at $38,240 (EX) up to $50,370 for the Elite. 

I really liked the 2024 Odyssey Elite even though it's not my type of vehicle. I get tired of vehicles I either have to climb up into, or those that are so low I look like the old man I am getting out of them. You can check out all Honda vehicles at https://automobiles.honda.com/