2022 Honda Odyssey

2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2022 Honda Odyssey is an eight-seat minivan that excels at comfort and safety. It carries over into the new model year with few changes: for one, the popular HondaVac standard on the Elite trim has been cut for 2022.

The Odyssey has an exceptional amount of room inside. The second row of seats slips out to turn it into a cargo van. There are smart storage spaces in the doors, seat backs, consoles, side panels, and under the floor.

The 3.5-liter V-6 and 10-speed automatic transmission are a combination that’s more than capable. But unfortunately it’s only front-wheel drive, with no optional all-wheel drive.

Gas mileage isn’t a strength, with EPA ratings of 19 mpg city, 28 highway, 22 combined.

The 2022 Odyssey earned a top five-star crash-test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS. Every Odyssey comes with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, active lane control, adaptive cruise control down to a stop, and a reminder that alerts drivers of cargo and passengers left in the rear seats.

Model Lineup

Made in Alabama, the 2022 Odyssey comes as LX, EX, EX-L, Touring and Elite. It ranges in price from just above $33,000 to just under $49,000.

The LX comes with convenience features such as keyless start and power adjustable front seats, but the standard 5.0-inch display screen is a drawback. The standard active safety suite is outstanding.

The EX, at $36,665, brings an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio, two USB ports, heated front seats, a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, three-zone climate control, power sliding rear doors, remote start, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitors. That’s good value for the difference in price over the LX.

The Touring adds 19-inch alloy wheels, parking sensors, and a rear-seat entertainment system with CabinWatch.

For $48,995, the Elite adds ambient lighting, a wireless smartphone charger, a heated steering wheel, 11-speaker sound system, heated and cooled front seats, and power-folding side mirrors.

Exterior

The 2022 Odyssey is a good-looking minivan, with its sliding doors and rounded hips. The new nose adopted in 2021 is wider and more modern, with its lowered front fascia and LED headlamps.
Available 19-inch black alloy wheels buff up the attitude.

Interior

The Odyssey earns kudos for its cabin versatility, cargo room, comfortable seats, and space for passengers. The EX-L adds leather upholstery, while the Touring and Elite seats add armrests.

The wing-shaped instrument panel carries a lot of glossy black plastic and metallic trim. The center stack is neat while containing a lot of functions. There are clever storage spaces in the doors and center console.

The LX seats seven, with power-adjustable front seats that are well-padded. The EX seats eight, including three child safety seats in the second row. It’s called Magic Slide; the middle seat can be removed, and the remaining two seats slide laterally on rails, for easier entry and exit.

With an impressive 38 inches of leg room, the third row can actually fit adults. It’s a 60/40 split, and can easily fold into the floor, enabling the 2022 Odyssey to be many things, from a mobile lounge for four people, to a weekend cargo van.

Even while seating eight in the three rows, there’s still 33 cubic feet of cargo space. With the second and third rows down, there’s a vast 88.6 cubic feet. And with the second row fully removed, there’s an awesome 144.9 cubic feet.

Options such as blind-spot monitors and parking sensors help with the limited side vision, but there’s no available surround-view camera system.

On the Touring and Elite, a rear-facing interior camera called Cabin Watch projects onto the touchscreen, so a parent can keep his or her eye on the kids in back.

Driving Impressions

The 3.5-liter V-6 is extremely smooth, and its 280 horsepower is plenty. The acceleration is strong, and there’s enough power for quick passing, even with a full load. With 10 forward speeds the transmission is busy, but it clicks through its gears almost without notice. There’s a slight hesitation when it kicks down, but nothing to complain about. The cabin is as quiet as a nap, even under acceleration.

The front struts and a multi-link rear suspension are tuned for comfort, not handling. They succeed in that mission, delivering a compliant ride.

The steering is light, but stays centered. On cloverleaf ramps and similar curves, the height of the Odyssey can cause it to list a bit. With a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, the Odyssey can tow a small boat.

Final Word

The 2022 Honda Odyssey is all about its unmatched cabin space and unique seating and cargo versatility. Its powertrain, with a proven V-6 and 10-speed automatic, is superb. The only drawbacks are that it only comes as front-wheel drive, and the gas mileage is easily beaten by rivals.

 

—by Sam Moses with driving impressions by The Car Connection